When you open a .gif file just by double clicking on it, preview opens the file by default and the result isn’t interesting at all: a list of thumbnails in the drawer.
To watch .gif animations I have set QuickTime player to handle all of them on my computer.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. command + i on any .gif file
  2. go to “open with” and select the QuickTime Player

Open With

Posted in Macintosh Tips & Help, Quicktime Player