DB LabsDB Labs

Updated March 16, 2026

By Jack Smith, iOS Developer at DB Labs

How-To

How to Convert Live Photos to Video on iPhone

Live Photos capture 3 seconds of motion, but sharing them as videos makes them viewable on any platform. Here is how to convert them using built-in tools, plus tips for Loop, Bounce, and batch conversion.

March 16, 2026  ·  6 min read

Quick Answer

Open a Live Photo in the Photos app, tap the Share button (square with up arrow), and select Save as Video. A new video file (approximately 3 seconds, with audio) is created in your camera roll alongside the original Live Photo. For creative effects, open the Live Photo, swipe up (or tap the Live dropdown), and choose Loop (repeating animation), Bounce (forward-backward), or Long Exposure (motion blur). Loop and Bounce create shareable video effects. This feature requires iOS 13 or later.

Method 1: Save as Video

1 Open the Live Photo

Open the Photos app and navigate to any Live Photo. Live Photos have a small "LIVE" indicator in the top left corner when viewed full-screen.

2 Tap Share

Tap the Share button (square with up arrow) in the bottom left corner.

3 Select Save as Video

Scroll down in the share sheet and tap Save as Video. A new video file appears in your camera roll with the same date as the original Live Photo.

Method 2: Loop and Bounce Effects

Before saving as a video, you can apply creative effects to your Live Photo:

  • Loop: Creates a continuously repeating animation. Great for water, fire, or repetitive motions. The video plays forward and loops seamlessly.
  • Bounce: Plays the motion forward, then backward, creating a boomerang-style effect. Works best with short, dramatic movements.
  • Long Exposure: Simulates a long-exposure photograph, blurring motion (like waterfalls, traffic, or waves) while keeping stationary elements sharp. This creates a still image, not a video.

To apply an effect: open the Live Photo, tap the LIVE dropdown menu at the top left, and select Loop, Bounce, or Long Exposure. Then use Save as Video to export it.

Storage Comparison

Understanding how Live Photos affect storage helps you decide whether to keep them or convert to stills:

  • Regular HEIC photo: 1.5-3 MB
  • Live Photo: 3-7 MB (still image + 3-second video + audio)
  • Saved video from Live Photo: 3-6 MB additional

If you convert a Live Photo to video and keep both, you are using roughly double the storage. To save space, you can turn off the Live Photo component after saving the video: open the photo, tap Edit, tap the Live Photo icon, and select Off.

Batch Converting Multiple Live Photos

iOS does not have a built-in batch conversion option, but you can use the Shortcuts app to automate it. Create a shortcut that takes selected photos as input, filters for Live Photos, and converts each to video using the "Encode Media" action. This can save significant time if you have dozens of Live Photos to convert.

Third-party apps like Lively (free) and intoLive (free with Pro option) also offer batch conversion with more control over quality and format.

Tip: Live Photos consume 2-3x more storage than regular photos. If storage is tight, review your Live Photos and decide which ones are worth keeping as Live. For the rest, convert to still images to save space. Swype Photo Cleaner helps you quickly sort through all your photos, including Live Photos, so you can decide what to keep or delete.

Free Up Space from Live Photos

Live Photos use 2-3x more storage. Sort through your library with Swype to decide which are worth keeping.

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+ · 100% on-device, zero uploads

Download on theApp Store

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I save a Live Photo as a video?

Open the Live Photo, tap the Share button, and select Save as Video. A new video file is created in your camera roll. Requires iOS 13 or later.

Can I batch convert multiple Live Photos to video?

iOS does not have built-in batch conversion. Use the Shortcuts app to create an automation, or use third-party apps like Lively or intoLive for batch conversion.

Do Live Photos take more storage than regular photos?

Yes. Live Photos are 2-3x larger than regular photos because they include a still image plus 3 seconds of video and audio. A typical Live Photo is 3-7 MB vs 1.5-3 MB for a regular HEIC photo.