Remember back to that wonderful moment you snapped as a Live Photo - maybe it was the comical reaction of your pet to a new plaything, or your buddy's shocked expression at his birthday? Live Photos are perfect for preserving those captivating 1.5-second moments, but here's the maddening part: they don't get along with most social media platforms or if you need to send them to Android users.
The good news? Turning your Live Photos into normal video files is surprisingly easy once you have the right tricks up your sleeve. Whether you wish to post that cute baby laugh on Instagram or share a humorous moment with your Android-using relatives, I'll take you through some easy methods that get the job done directly on your phone.
Understanding Live Photos and Why You'd Want to Convert Them
Live Photos snap a speedy picture of action and sound around your still photo - a 3-second movie disguised as an image. Apple's layout is fantastic for iPhone and Mac but gives pain to compatibility when shared on other platforms and devices.
Method 1 - Using iPhone's Built-In Tools
Your iPhone also has an pleasantly simple native method of converting Live Photos into videos, although Apple doesn't deliberately advertise the feature under the radar either.
Head to your Photos app and find the Live Photo you'd like to convert to a video. Tap to open it in full-screen view, then find the "Live" button at the top-left. Tap and hold on that button to find a menu where you have a choice of effects.
Method 2 - The Share Sheet Conversion Trick
Here is yet another lesser-known hack that is ideal for quick conversions. Open your Live Photo in the Photos app and then press the share button (the square with an arrow pointing upwards).
On your share sheet, you will see your Live Photo as a video thumbnail rather than a picture.
That is your indicator that you can save it in the form of a video. Touch "Save to Files" or share it over AirDrop to share with another device, and it will change to a video format during transfer.
Method 3 - Third-Party Apps for More Control
While the default methods are ideal for straightforward conversions, sometimes you'd prefer more control over the output video quality, format, or edit features. Different great apps specialize in Live Photo conversion and offer additional features.
GIPHY Cam is a free favorite that not only converts Live Photos to video but also lets you superimpose text, stickers, and effects. It's perfect if you're wanting to convert your Live Photos to GIFs or add a creative spin before you share.
Live Photo to Video Converter apps offer more technical flexibility so that you can tune video quality, choose output formats, and batch convert groups of Live Photos at one time. These apps are perfect if you need to convert Live Photos on a regular basis and require consistent results.
IntoLive works in reverse but also has Live Photo to video conversion with trimming, adding music, and adjusting playback speed. It's ideal for users who like to prettify their videos before posting.
Optimizing Your Converted Videos
After you've converted your Live Photo to video, you can refine it for the intended use. If you're publishing to Instagram Stories, you can crop to vertical. For Twitter, short file sizes result in quicker uploads and smoother playback.
All of the conversion methods maintain the quality, but you can compress video if needed with editing apps. This comes in handy when sharing using messaging apps that have limited space.
Don't neglect attention to audio quality, too. Live Photos capture ambient noise, and that can mean background noise you didn't realize when you took the photo. You can edit video to reduce audio levels or add background music in the event that original sound is not optimal.
Maximizing the Potential of Your Live Photo Videos
Converting Live Photos into video unlocks the creative potential beyond simple sharing. You can join several converted Live Photos together to form composite longer sequences, develop themed collections of movies, or integrate them as elements within larger video productions.
Consider your Live Photo videos converted as clippings to be employed as building blocks of more complex creative endeavors. They make great transition clips for long videos or eye-catching social media posts that set them apart from the standard static post.
The trick is to experiment with different kinds of conversion to see what works best for your specific need and creative purpose.
Virtual reality tech by VPL Research demonstrated in San Francisco, 1989. pic.twitter.com/v30tJAbQsj
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