Quick answer: Open the Live Photo in Photos, tap the More (•••) button in the upper-right corner, then tap Save as Video. The new video appears in your Recently Saved album, and the original Live Photo stays in the Live Photos album. It’s free and built into iOS.
How do I save a Live Photo as a video on iPhone?
- Open Photos and find your Live Photos. In the Photos app, scroll to the Media Types section and tap Live Photos. This shows only your Live Photos.
- Tap the Live Photo you want. Open the one you’d like to turn into a video.
- Tap the More button. Tap the three-dot More button in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Save as Video. Choose Save as Video. iOS creates a video copy and leaves the Live Photo as it was.
- Find the new video. Open the Recently Saved album. The original Live Photo is still in the Live Photos album.
That’s the method Apple describes in its own support article, How to turn a Live Photo into a video on your iPhone.
Where does the video go?
It lands in the Recently Saved album. The Live Photo stays in the Live Photos album, so nothing is replaced and you can repeat the steps whenever you like.
Why turn a Live Photo into a video?
A Live Photo only plays where the app understands the format. Apple’s own guide notes that a Live Photo shared by Mail arrives as a still image, and in Messages the recipient has to press and hold the photo to play it. A video is just a video, so it plays with a tap almost anywhere.
| Format | Moves? | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Live Photo | When you press and hold it, or as a Lock Screen wallpaper | Keeping a moment in your library, wallpapers |
| Video (Save as Video) | Plays with a tap | Sharing, editing, posting |
| GIF | Loops on its own | Chats and sites that show GIFs. How to make one |
What if I don’t see Save as Video?
- Check it’s a Live Photo. The option is for Live Photos. Open the picture from the Live Photos album and look for the LIVE badge in the top-left corner.
- Update iOS. Menus move around between versions, so make sure your iPhone is up to date.
- Try the Mac. In Photos on a Mac, File › Export › Export Unmodified Original exports a short video.
Apple’s support article doesn’t explain when the option is hidden, so if none of these work, restarting your iPhone is a reasonable last try.
Can I make a Live Photo from a video instead?
Yes, and that direction does need an app, because iOS doesn’t let you save a video as a Live Photo by itself. Thevideo to Live Photo converter trims your clip in your browser, and AliveShot saves the result to Photos. We also have guides for TikTok and Instagram clips, and a note on how long a Live Photo can be.
Frequently asked questions
Does saving a Live Photo as a video delete the Live Photo?
No. iOS makes a new video and keeps the Live Photo in your Live Photos album. You end up with both.
How long is the video?
It matches the Live Photo. A Live Photo taken with the camera covers about 1.5 seconds before and after you pressed the shutter, so expect a clip of roughly 3 seconds.
Can I save a Live Photo as a video on a Mac?
Yes. In Photos on a Mac, select the Live Photo and choose File › Export › Export Unmodified Original to export the short video. Apple’s Mac guide mentions this option for exporting a short video.
Can I turn a Live Photo into a GIF instead?
Yes, but it takes a different route. Photos can loop or bounce a Live Photo, and Shortcuts or a Mac can make an actual GIF file. See how to turn a Live Photo into a GIF.
Can I turn a video back into a Live Photo?
Yes, with an app. iOS has no built-in way to save a video as a Live Photo. AliveShot does that step: trim the clip, pick a cover frame, and save it to Photos. Start with the video to Live Photo guide.
By the AliveShot team · Last updated