Quick answer: In Photos, open the Live Photo, tap LIVE and choose Loop or Bounce for a GIF-style animation. For a real .gif file, run the Make GIF shortcut in the Shortcuts app, or use File › Export › Export GIF in Photos on a Mac.
| Method | You get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Loop or Bounce in Photos | An animation that stays in Photos (not a .gif file) | Looking at it yourself |
| Shortcuts, Make GIF | A GIF file | Sending to other people |
| Photos on a Mac, Export GIF | A GIF file | Websites and messages |
Can I make a GIF from a Live Photo in the Photos app?
Almost. Photos can turn the motion into a loop, but the result is a Live Photo effect, not a GIF file. It still looks like a GIF when you view it in Photos.
- Open the Live Photo. In Photos, scroll to Media Types and tap Live Photos, then open the one you want.
- Tap LIVE. It’s near the top of the screen.
- Choose Loop or Bounce. Loop repeats the motion over and over. Bounce plays it forward, then backward.
Apple lists Loop, Bounce and Long Exposure as the effects in its Live Photos guide. Long Exposure blurs the motion, so it isn’t useful for a GIF. Bounce tends to look smoother when the action doesn’t repeat naturally. Apple also warns that editing the photo in a third-party app can wipe the effect.
How do I make a real GIF file with Shortcuts?
Apple’s Shortcuts guide includes a Make GIF action that builds an animated GIF from photos. A ready-made Make GIF shortcut is also available in the Gallery. Menu names change a little between iOS versions, so search if a label looks different.
- Open Shortcuts and go to the Gallery. Open the Shortcuts app and tap the Gallery tab.
- Add the Make GIF shortcut. Search for “Make GIF”, then tap the + button to add it to your library.
- Run it. Open your Library and tap Make GIF. If iOS asks for access to your photos, allow it.
- Pick your Live Photo. Choose the Live Photo from your library when the picker opens.
- Save the GIF. When the finished GIF appears, tap Done to save it. Then check it moves where you plan to use it.
A caution: reports on Apple’s own support forums describe Make GIF saving a Live Photo as a still image for some people. If your result doesn’t move, don’t keep retrying. Use one of the other routes.
How do I export a GIF from a Live Photo on a Mac?
This one is documented by Apple, and it’s the most predictable route if you have a Mac with your photo library:
- Open the Live Photo in Photos and click Edit.
- Use the pop-up menu at the bottom right of the Live Photo and choose Bounce.
- Click Done, then choose File › Export › Export GIF.
- Pick a save location and click Export.
If Export GIF isn’t offered, Apple says to choose Export Unmodified Original, which exports a short video instead. The steps come from Apple’s Export a Live Photo as an animated GIF page.
Should I use a GIF or a video?
A GIF is a looping picture with no sound, which makes it quick to drop into a chat. It also has a limited palette, so photos can look rougher than the original. If you only need to share or post it, a video usually looks better. You can save one from the same Live Photo with Save as Video.
Can I go the other way and make a Live Photo?
Yes. The reverse is handy when you want motion on your lock screen. Our GIF to Live Photo converter and video converter do the trimming for free, and AliveShot saves the result to Photos. See how to set a Live Photo as your wallpaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can you turn a Live Photo into a GIF on iPhone?
Yes, in two ways. Photos can loop or bounce it, which gives you a GIF-style animation but not a .gif file. Shortcuts has a Make GIF action that is meant to produce a real GIF file.
What’s the difference between Loop, Bounce and a GIF?
Loop repeats the motion and Bounce plays it forward and then backward. Both are Live Photo effects that live inside Photos. A GIF is a separate file you can send or upload anywhere that accepts GIFs.
Why does the shortcut give me a still image?
Some people report that Make GIF saved a Live Photo as a still image instead of an animation. If that happens to you, save the Live Photo as a video first and use a video-to-GIF shortcut or app, or use the Mac method below.
Will my GIF have sound?
No. GIFs don’t carry audio, so any sound from the Live Photo is dropped.
Can I make a GIF a Live Photo wallpaper?
Not directly. A GIF stays a GIF in Photos, and only Live Photos animate on the lock screen. You can convert it with the GIF to Live Photo converter.
By the AliveShot team · Last updated