All iPads What's the Earliest iPad Capable of Receiving GIFs in iMessage?

[HappyDude20]

I'm wondering what the earliest iPad model and/or iOS version is capable of being able to send/receive GIFs and have them play within iMessage messages.

I know that around iOS 10 or 11 the native Photos App could play GIFs, but am confident that sometime before we could send and receive GIFs in the iMessages app.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I'm wondering what the earliest iPad model and/or iOS version is capable of being able to send/receive GIFs and have them play within iMessage messages.

I know that around iOS 10 or 11 the native Photos App could play GIFs, but am confident that sometime before we could send and receive GIFs in the iMessages app.

It seems like iOS 10 is the earliest you can go.