Is it possible to create a custom MSMessageLayout for iMessage app extension? If so, can some one provide me an example

Question

Among the examples I have seen so far for iMessage-App extensions, I learned that the only way to send GIF is through creating a MSSticker and attaching a gif to it for sending. But, after observing some apps. I saw that GIPHY sends GIF through MSMessageTemplateLayout or MSMessageLayout. I know this because of how MSSticker and MSMessageLayout looks on the screen. You can see that in the images below:

This above image is gif inserted through MSSticker.

This above image is gif inserted through MSMessageLayout.

The problem here is MSMessageLayout doesn't have any method to override. There is no way that I know by which we can insert gif into MSMessageTemplateLayout and make it play. I tried it. The only way I know is to create a custom MSMessageLayout which I don't find any examples for.

The major reason for me trying this method is:

• There is 500 kb limit for size of GIF we can send through MSSticker
• Through GIPHY, we can send a GIF with size greater than 500 kb. I checked it myself

So, two humble requests to the community:

• If anyone already tried sending GIF through MSMessageLayout, please answer how you did it
• If anyone succeded in sending GIF of size > 500 kb through MSSticker, please answer how you did it

Answer 1

Usually when you send a MSMessage inside a MSMessageTemplateLayout, the app icon is shown on the top-left corner (in your screenshot, it doesn't appear) so this makes me think that they probably use insertAttachment(_:). In this way the media is handled automatically by iMessage as it has been sent via sharing from any other apps.