Published on May 13, 2025 5 min read

How to Convert Live Photos to Video on iPhone and Mac

Live Photos are a unique feature on iPhones that often goes unnoticed until you see how useful they can be. They capture moments just before and after you press the shutter, turning a still image into a short clip. It’s like getting a sneak peek into the moments surrounding your photo. However, Live Photos don’t always display correctly on non-Apple devices. Sending them to someone without an Apple device? The "live" aspect disappears. That’s why converting them to video is helpful. It’s quick, easy, and keeps the full experience intact—movement, sound, and all.

Converting Live Photos to videos ensures sharing is consistent and less frustrating across apps and devices. Whether it's a cherished family memory or a scenic travel snap, sharing it as a video provides the full impact instead of a silent still image.

How to Make a Live Photo into a Video Easily?

Using an iPhone

Apple has made this process quite simple. You don’t need any third-party apps or complicated steps. Here’s how:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Select your Live Photo.
3. Tap the Share icon (the box with an arrow pointing up).
4. Scroll down and choose Save as Video.

And that’s it. Your iPhone saves the video clip right into your camera roll, alongside your original Live Photo. The audio is included, and you’re free to send or post it anywhere.

Using the Shortcuts App for Batch Conversion

If you have multiple Live Photos to convert and want to avoid doing them one by one, the Shortcuts app can help. It’s pre-installed on most newer iPhones, and there are community-made shortcuts you can add to speed things up.

For instance, you can add a shortcut named “Convert Live Photos to Video,” which handles batch processing. Once added:

1. Open the Shortcuts app.
2. Run the shortcut.
3. Select the Live Photos you want to convert.
4. Let the shortcut process and save the video versions to your camera roll.

No coding, no fuss. It’s a handy trick for organizing a collection of photos from a trip or event.

Using Third-Party Apps for Extra Features

There are apps on the App Store offering more features than the built-in method. If you want to trim, add filters, or combine several Live Photos into one longer video, consider these options:

Lively: This app not only converts Live Photos to videos but also allows you to turn them into GIFs. If you want to make your Live Photos more dynamic and shareable, Lively lets you adjust the frame rate for smoother playback and even save the GIF directly to your camera roll.

IntoLive: Originally designed to convert videos into Live Photos, IntoLive now lets you turn Live Photos into videos, with options to add custom effects and set the video length. It's perfect for adding a creative twist to your clips.

Motion Stills (by Google): This app stabilizes your Live Photos and offers simple editing tools. It’s especially useful for smoothing out camera shake and enhancing the quality of your Live Photos before sharing.

If all you need is a straight conversion, the Photos app or Shortcuts method is the simplest route. These apps are better suited when you’re looking to add some flair.

Using an iPad or a Mac

The steps on iPads are nearly identical to those on iPhones. Just open the Live Photo, tap Share, and choose "Save as Video." On a Mac, if you're using macOS Catalina or later, your Live Photos sync with the Photos app on your Mac.

To convert them on Mac:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Find the Live Photo.
3. Right-click and choose Export > Export Unmodified Original.

This gives you two files: a .jpg and a .mov. The .mov is the short video portion of your Live Photo. You can use that directly, or open it in iMovie or QuickTime to make edits before saving or sharing.

Sharing the Final Video

Once you have the video version, sharing becomes much easier. You can upload it to social media, attach it to emails, or back it up to cloud storage—all without worrying that the motion or sound will be lost. It behaves like any other video file.

Tip: If you’re sending it via messaging apps that compress video (like WhatsApp), try sending it as a file attachment instead of through the gallery. This helps maintain better quality.

What If It Doesn’t Work?

Sometimes, a Live Photo might not offer the "Save as Video" option. This usually means it wasn't taken as a true Live Photo, or it was edited in a way that removed the motion component. To check, swipe up on the photo. If you don't see "Live Photo Effects" like Loop, Bounce, or Long Exposure, it’s probably no longer a Live Photo, and conversion isn’t possible.

Final Thoughts

In summary, converting Live Photos to videos is a straightforward process that ensures your moments are shared as they were meant to be—full of life, motion, and sound. Whether you're using built-in options like the Photos app or Shortcuts for quick conversion, or third-party apps like iMovie, Lively, or IntoLive for more customization, there’s a method to suit your needs. No matter how you choose to do it, transforming your Live Photos into videos lets you preserve those precious memories in a way that’s easy to share and enjoy. So go ahead, try it out, and relive your favorite moments in motion!