Live Photos capture 1.5 seconds before and after you press the shutter, recording motion and sound along with a still image. Converting them into standard video files makes them easier to edit, share on social networks, and use with apps that don’t support the Live Photo format. This guide covers built-in methods, Shortcuts automation, Mac-based workflows, third-party apps, export settings, and practical troubleshooting so you can convert reliably and retain the best quality.

We begin with the simplest built-in approach in the Photos app, then move to batch conversions, Shortcuts automations, desktop workflows, and third-party tools for advanced control. Each section contains clear, numbered steps and actionable tips to avoid common pitfalls.

This guide assumes you are using a relatively recent iPhone model and iOS build; specific menu names may vary slightly between iOS releases, but the core actions remain consistent across modern versions. If your Photos app looks different, check for system updates or the Apple Support steps in the official documentation referenced below.

Quick method — Use the Photos app (Save as Video)

The Photos app includes a direct option to save a Live Photo as a video file. This is the fastest and most reliable method for single-image conversions because it preserves motion and audio exactly as captured. Use this method when you want a one-tap conversion with no extra apps.

Steps:

Open the Photos app and go to Albums or Library. Swipe until you find Media Types, then tap Live Photos to view only Live Photos.
Tap the Live Photo you want to convert to open it full screen.
Tap the More button (three dots in the top-right corner) and choose Save as Video. The Photos app will export the Live Photo as a .MOV video and save it in your Recents/Camera Roll as a new item; the original Live Photo remains intact.

When to use this method: converting individual Live Photos quickly for sharing, posting to social media, or simple edits in a video app. This method is supported in current iOS builds and is Apple’s recommended workflow for single conversions.

Batch convert Live Photos — Shortcuts and automation

If you have many Live Photos to convert, the built-in Save as Video option becomes tedious. Apple’s Shortcuts app and community-created shortcuts let you convert multiple Live Photos at once, saving time and keeping your photo library organized.

Use a ready-made Shortcuts shortcut

There are popular Shortcuts that convert selected Live Photos into videos automatically. These shortcuts typically request permission to access your Photos, let you pick multiple Live Photos, convert each to a movie file, and save the resulting videos back to the Camera Roll or a specified album.

Steps to use a community shortcut:

Open the Shortcuts app. If you don’t have the Shortcuts app, download it from the App Store (it’s an Apple app and may be preinstalled).
Search the Shortcuts Gallery or a trusted site for a “Convert Live Photos to Video” shortcut. Add the shortcut to your library.
Run the shortcut, grant Photos access, select multiple Live Photos, and allow the shortcut to save the resulting movies.

Shortcuts can be customized to add naming schemes, save location, and whether to remove the original Live Photo after conversion. Community shortcuts are widely used and many are actively maintained; always inspect a shortcut before running it and download only from trusted sources.

Create your own custom Shortcuts automation

For more control, build a shortcut that loops through selected Live Photos, converts each to a movie, optionally renames them, and moves them into a dedicated album. This is ideal for repeatable workflows (e.g., converting all event Live Photos each week).

Basic shortcut building blocks you will use:

Select Photos — allow multiple selection and filter for Live Photos only.
Repeat with Each — process every selected item.
Save to Photo Album — save the converted movie into a chosen album.

Example behavior: select 20 Live Photos → shortcut converts each to .MOV → saves them into an album called “Converted Videos” → notifies you when finished. This approach reduces manual tapping and lets you standardize filenames or destinations.

Edit or tweak Live Photo playback before converting

You can adjust which frame is the poster still, trim Live Photo length, and apply Live Photo effects (Loop, Bounce, Long Exposure) before exporting. These edits let you craft the exact video you want before creating a final movie file.

Steps to edit Live Photo playback

Open the Live Photo in Photos and tap Edit. Drag the thumbnail scrubber along the timeline to select a new key photo (poster still).
Use the Live controls to trim the clip (drag the ends of the Live range), mute audio if needed, or apply effects like Loop or Bounce for creative results.
Save edits, then use Save as Video (More menu) to export the edited motion as a video file.

Editing first gives you control over the exact start and end frames and whether the exported video includes the Live Photo’s original audio. This is particularly useful for looped clips intended for social platforms or wallpapers.

Using a Mac — Photos app and AirDrop workflows

If you prefer desktop editing or need to combine multiple Live Photos into a single video, macOS Photos and QuickTime can help. Import your Live Photos to the Photos app on Mac, then export or edit them as videos, or use third-party desktop tools for batch processing.

Two common macOS workflows

Export from Photos as Video: Import Live Photos into the Mac Photos app, select the Live Photo, choose Edit to set the desired key frame or effects, and use the menu to export or save as a video. This mirrors the iPhone workflow but gives you better precision for frame selection and trimming on a larger screen.
AirDrop then convert: AirDrop Live Photos to your Mac as “originals” and use QuickTime or iMovie to open and export each as a standard movie file. This is helpful when combining multiple Live Photos into a montage or timeline in iMovie.

macOS workflows are excellent for more complex edits, batch exports with consistent naming, or assembly into longer clips with transitions and audio tracks. Many creators prefer editing on Mac for the larger workspace and finer control.

Third-party apps and when to use them

Third-party apps offer features that go beyond the built-in conversion: frame-by-frame export, mute/unmute controls, reverse playback, adding background audio, trimming with higher precision, and batch processing with custom renaming. Use third-party apps when the Photos app or Shortcuts doesn’t meet advanced needs.

Live Photo Converter apps: These specialized apps convert Live Photos to GIFs, videos, or still-frame sequences and often include batch support and compression tools. They’re useful when you need GIFs or web-compatible formats.
Video editors (iMovie, CapCut, LumaFusion): Import a converted Live Photo video to edit, stabilize, color grade, or add soundtracks before exporting a final project.
Wallpaper apps: Some apps convert Live Photos into lock screen-compatible videos or Live Wallpapers with resizing and fit options.

Choose apps from reputable developers in the App Store, check recent reviews, and verify privacy practices if you handle sensitive media. Popular app categories include Live Photo to GIF converters, action-crop tools, and multi-export utilities.

Export quality, formats, and compatibility

When the Photos app saves a Live Photo as a video, it typically creates a .MOV file using Apple’s HEVC or H.264 codec depending on your device settings. These files preserve audio and motion but file size depends on resolution and duration. If you need maximum compatibility (for older devices or web upload), consider converting the .MOV to .MP4 with a transcoder or export tool.

File format: Default export is .MOV. For web or cross-platform use, .MP4 is widely accepted and may be necessary for some platforms.
Codec: HEVC (H.265) yields smaller files at similar quality; H.264 is more compatible but larger. Choose based on your audience and platform.
Resolution: The exported video keeps the Live Photo’s original capture resolution; higher-resolution photos mean larger video files.
Audio: Live Photo audio is included by default; you can mute during editing or leave audio to preserve the moment’s soundscape.
Metadata: Exported videos may retain some metadata like creation date; if privacy is a concern, strip metadata before sharing.

For most users, the Photos app’s default export produces a high-quality, ready-to-share video. If you need specific codecs or formats, use a converter or a video editor on Mac or iPhone to transcode.

Troubleshooting common issues

“Save as Video” option missing

If you don’t see the More → Save as Video option, try the following:

Confirm the item is a Live Photo (not a still image). In the Photos app, Live appears in the upper-left corner when a Live Photo is open.
Update iOS to the latest version. Menu placement or features can change slightly between iOS releases; updating often restores expected functionality.
Restart the Photos app or restart your iPhone; sometimes UI glitches hide menu items temporarily.

If Save as Video still isn’t available, convert via Shortcuts or AirDrop to a Mac and export from the Photos app there.

Video is silent or missing audio

Live Photos may sometimes be saved without sound depending on how the original was captured or if audio was removed during editing. To preserve audio:

Check the original Live Photo’s audio by pressing and holding it in Photos; if you hear sound, the Save as Video export should include it.
If audio was removed in Edit mode, revert edits or re-enable sound before exporting.

Converted video looks grainy or low quality

Quality loss can happen when converting with third-party apps that re-encode aggressively. Use the built-in Photos export or trusted apps that let you control codec and bitrate. If you must transcode, select higher bitrate or HEVC for better retention of detail.

Pro Tips

Batch & name consistently: When using Shortcuts for batch conversions, add a step to rename files using date and time tokens so files remain organized. This makes it easy to import into video editors later.
Use Albums to separate originals: Create an album like “Live → Videos” and have your shortcut save converted items there to avoid cluttering your main library.
Preserve originals: Don’t delete the original Live Photo until you confirm the exported video matches your expectations. Keep originals backed up in iCloud or a local archive.
Trim before exporting: If you only want a short clip, trim the Live Photo’s live portion first, then Save as Video to avoid exporting extra frames you’ll later trim again.
Transcode for web: If you plan to upload to social platforms that prefer MP4, use a trusted converter or an editor to transcode to H.264 MP4 for maximum compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will converting a Live Photo to a video delete the original Live Photo?

No. Using Photos → More → Save as Video creates a new video file and keeps the original Live Photo in your library. If you choose to delete the Live Photo afterward, do so manually.

Can I batch-convert hundreds of Live Photos at once?

Yes — Shortcuts can convert many at once, but performance depends on storage and device capabilities. For very large batches, consider transferring originals to a Mac and running batch scripts or using desktop apps for faster processing.

Do Live Photo effects (Loop, Bounce) export as video?

Yes. Apply Loop or Bounce in the Edit view, then Save as Video; the exported video will reflect the chosen effect. If you need further effects or transitions, import the exported video into a video editor.

What format is the exported video?

Photos typically exports a .MOV file using HEVC or H.264 depending on device settings and iOS version. Convert to MP4 if you need broader compatibility with non-Apple platforms.

Are there privacy concerns when using third-party conversion apps?

Yes. Only use reputable apps from the App Store, check permissions (Photos access), and review privacy policies if you handle sensitive content. For maximum privacy, prefer local conversions using Photos or Shortcuts without uploading to cloud services.

Conclusion

Converting Live Photos to video on an iPhone is straightforward using the built-in Photos app’s Save as Video option for single items, and Shortcuts for batch or automated workflows. For more advanced edits and batch processing you can use Mac workflows or trusted third-party apps that provide additional features like frame extraction, reverse playback, or audio replacement. Always keep originals backed up until you confirm exports meet quality and privacy expectations, and choose codecs and formats that match how you’ll share the media. With the methods described here you can convert individual moments into versatile video files suitable for editing, sharing, and archiving.