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How to Turn Live Photo into Video on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

James Hogan
James Hogan Originally published Dec 18, 24, updated Dec 30, 24

Some moments deserve more than a static photo snapshot. Envision capturing joyous moments at a wedding or family reunion not as a normal video but as a photo by switching to the live photo mode on your iPhone. While you have captured the best moments for 1.5 seconds after the shot, you can take these motion pictures to another level of beauty by turning them into videos.

But why would you want to convert them to a video since it embeds sound and motion? The need to convert live photos to video arises when your family member or friend using a different device (Android) needs you to share these special photos with them. And since live photos work only on Apple devices, you cannot share the live photos with these Android users.

At this point, the solution is to turn the live photos into video, and you even get the chance to add more refreshing effects. So, if you don’t know how to go about it, this guide will walk you through how to turn a live photo into a video.

capturing moments
In this article
    1. Method 1: How to Make a Live Picture a Video on your iPhone
    2. Method 2: How to turn Live Picture into video on your iPhone Using a Third-party App
    3. Animate Static Images into Dynamic Videos with Filmora AI Image-to-Videos Feature
    1. Can iPhone Live Photos be Shared on Android?

Part 1: Ways to Convert Live Photo to Video on an iPhone

At first, learning how to make a video from live photos might look daunting, but then with the best technique, you can get this done easily. So, if you are ready to make live photos into video on your iPhone, there are two ways to get this done. They are:

1. The Built-In iOS Method

iOS devices come with a built-in feature that lets you turn a live photo into a video without downloading any additional apps. This option is quick, reliable, and seamlessly integrates with your Photos app. It’s perfect if you want a simple solution that doesn’t require extra tools.

2. Using Third-Party Applications

If you want more flexibility, third-party apps provide excellent alternatives. These apps often include features like video customization, combining multiple live photos, or exporting in higher resolutions.

icon note
Note: Both methods are effective, and your choice depends on what you need. If you prefer simplicity and speed, the built-in method is ideal. If you want advanced features or customization, top third-party apps offer more options.

Method 1: How to Make a Live Picture a Video on your iPhone

Before you start the process, ensure you have a live photo saved in your phone gallery. If you are not sure you have a live photo in your photo gallery, switch to your camera to take a few shots. If you do not know how to switch your camera to live photos, look at the marked part in the image below. Click on the live photo sign to switch your camera mode.

capture on the live photo mode

So, if you are done capturing some live photos, follow the steps to turn a live photo into a video.

Step 1: Launch the Photos gallery on your iPhone or iPad

Step 2: Tap the Albums tab at the bottom. Scroll down to the Media Types section and tap Live Photos.

select live photos

Step 3: Browse through your live photos and select the one you want to convert. Tap the More button (a circle with three dots in the upper-right corner). From the menu, select Save as Video.

how-to-make-a-video-with-live-photos-4

save video

Step 4: Your new video will appear in the recent album and your original Live Photo will still be in the Live Photos album.

icon note
Note: If you want to combine multiple videos made from live photos, try using iMovie. It’s free and lets you create a single video with clips, music, or effects!

Method 2: How to turn Live Picture into video on your iPhone Using a Third-party App

Turning a Live Photo into a video on your iPhone using Wondershare Filmora is straightforward and fun. If you're new to this, don't worry—I'll guide you step-by-step. Filmora simplifies the process while offering creative tools to make your video stand out.

Step 1: Download and Install Filmora. You can find it in the App Store. If it's already on your phone, ensure it's updated to the latest version. Updates often add new features and fix bugs, so they’re essential.

download filmora from app store
Get Started for Free
Get Started for Free

Step 2: Open Filmora and tap New Project. Tap the + icon to access your photo library. Select all to ensure all your files are available in one folder. Scroll to your Live Photos and select the one you want to convert.

launch filmora

You can differentiate your live images from the rest of the files by the live photo symbol on each live photo. Filmora will automatically recognize it as a live photo and import both the photo and motion data.

select the live photo

Step 3: After importing, your live photo appears on the timeline. By default, it already behaves like a short video in Filmora. However, you can adjust the duration by dragging the edges of the clip on the timeline or adding background music if you want a professional touch.

start editing videos

Step 4: Add Transitions and Effects. You can use the fade-in/out transition to make the start and end smoother. Just drag and drop any effect or transition onto your live photo clip.

how-to-make-a-video-with-live-photos-9

add effects and transitions

Step 5: Once satisfied with your edits, tap the Export button (usually on the top-right corner), select Video Format, and adjust the resolution or frame rate if needed. Save it to your camera roll or directly share it on social media.

export video when done

Animate Static Images into Dynamic Videos with Filmora AI Image-to-Videos Feature

Unlike the previous example, this image is designed to move or perform specific actions. The Filmora AI image-to-video feature animates two still pictures, making them perform actions such as:

  • Hug
  • Kiss
  • Run Away
  • Fight
  • Dissolve
  • Crack
  • Lightning

How to use Filmora image-to-video feature on your mobile phone

Step 1: Launch the Filmora mobile application and select the image-to-video feature

open filmora
Get Started for Free
Get Started for Free

Step 2: Select the AI template and proceed to add images

select image-to-video template

Step 3: Select one or two images depending on the AI template you want to use

upload image

Step 4: Click Generate, and in a few minutes, you will see your picture acting as your chosen template.

generate the video

Part 2: Are There Live Photo Options For Android Devices?

android device

Android phones offer similar features to the iPhone's Live Photos, often referred to as “motion photos.” While the name and functionality might vary slightly between manufacturers, the concept remains the same—capturing a short video clip alongside your photo.

Several Android devices come with this feature pre-installed. For example:

  • Samsung Galaxy phones include Motion Photos in their native camera app.
  • Google Pixel devices have a similar feature called Top Shot, which also selects the best moment from the motion clip.
  • Huawei and Xiaomi models offer variations, often named differently (e.g., Moving Picture, Dynamic Photo).

How to Enable and Use Motion Photos

The steps may differ slightly depending on your device. Here’s a guide using Huawei

Step 1: Launch your native camera app.

launch camera on huawei device

Step 2: Look for the Motion Photo Option (moving picture) by clicking on more. Click on the moving photo option.

click on moving picture option

Step 3: Take photos as usual. When you view them in the gallery, you’ll notice they’re animated when tapped.

starting taking live photos

Can you turn a live photo into a video on an Android device?

Many Android devices let you save motion photos as videos or GIFs. For example, to do this on Huawei phones, open your photo in your gallery, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Save Video." On the other hand, you can also use third-party apps to convert live photos to videos. Filmora is one of the best apps you can use for this endeavor.

The process is the same as we did for the iPhone above. Just download and install Filmora, open Filmora, tap “new project” to import your live photo, add effects, and export video.

Can iPhone Live Photos be Shared on Android?

[a]

Before learning how to convert live photos to video, some users debate the possibility of sending live images from an iPhone to an Android device.

You can share iPhone Live Photos with Android users, but it takes extra effort. The main issue is compatibility—Android devices don’t support the live photo format available on iPhones. So, if you send an image from an iPhone to an Android directly, it won’t play as an animated image.

The good news is there are simple workarounds to make it work.

The Best Ways to Share Live Photos with Android

  1. Convert Live Photos to Videos or GIFs: The easiest and most effective method is to convert your Live Photos into videos or GIFs. This way, you preserve both the motion and the audio, ensuring Android users enjoy the animated moment as intended.
  2. Use Data Transfer Software: A reliable option is using tools like DroidKit, which lets you connect your iPhone and Android for seamless data migration. You can transfer over 15 types of files, including photos, videos, and even live photos.
  3. Transfer via the Photos App: You can also share directly from the Photos app on your iPhone. Select the live photo and use sharing options like messages, mail, or another app displayed. Remember that this method may convert the live photo into a still image unless the recipient’s app supports animations.
icon note
Note: Converting to a video or GIF works best because Android devices can readily play these formats. You won’t need extra apps on either end; the animation quality stays intact as well.

Conclusion

Make a video with a video with live photos on your iPhone is straightforward, especially if you use a third-party app. While using the built-in iOS feature is quick, you have few editing options. However, using a third-party tool like Filmora allows you to add more features that make this video exceptional.

Filmora image-to-video AI features on mobile phones help it to automatically detect and make photos perform certain actions. You can even merge multiple photos seamlessly to create a complete story. This feature simplifies the process, saving you time while letting your creativity flow.

[a]image to video feature is available on iPhone as well. you can adjust it in the filmora part above. no need to repeat the same thing for Android. rather, you can mention users can use this feature on android too.

James Hogan
James Hogan Dec 30, 24
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