A Live Photo is a still image with a short bit of motion and sound attached. It is not the same as a normal video file, so some apps, websites, and non-Apple devices will not play it as expected unless you export it as video first.
These steps use the built-in Photos app on iOS 17 and iOS 18.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want to send a Live Photo to an Android user, upload it somewhere that expects video, or save the motion part as a standard clip while keeping the original Live Photo.
Save the Live Photo as a Video
- Open Photos and find the Live Photo. Look for the Live badge on the image.
- Open it and tap the More button.
- Choose Save as Video.
- Photos creates a separate video file while leaving the original Live Photo unchanged.
The new video appears in your library and can also be found in Recently Saved or under the Videos media type.
Find and Share the New Video
- Open Photos > Albums.
- Scroll to Media Types and choose Videos.
- Open the newly created clip.
- Tap Share and send it through Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or save it to Files.
Because this is now a real video file, it plays more reliably on Android phones, websites, and apps that do not support Live Photos.
Before You Export
Trim the Motion
Open the Live Photo, tap Edit, and adjust the white brackets under the frame strip. After saving, use Save as Video so the exported clip uses the trimmed motion range.
Check the Audio
Live Photos can include microphone audio from the capture moment. When exported as video, that sound is included. Mute the video afterward if you want a silent clip.
Live Photo Effects
Loop, Bounce, and Long Exposure are playback effects. Save as Video exports the original motion, not those effects. To capture an effect exactly, screen record it while it plays.
Sources
- Apple Support: Take Live Photos with iPhone
- Apple Support: Edit photos and videos on iPhone
- Apple Support: Duplicate photos and videos on iPhone