How to Save a Live Photo as a Video on iPhone
An iPhone Live Photo can be saved as a video directly in the Photos app. Open the Live Photo, tap the More button, and select Save as Video. iOS creates a separate video copy while preserving the original Live Photo. No extra app is required for a standard iPhone Live Photo video export.
Steps
- Open the Photos app and locate the Live Photo marked with the Live Photo icon.
- Tap the Live Photo to open the full-screen view.
- Tap the More button, shown as three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Select Save as Video.
- Open the Videos album to confirm the converted file. The original Live Photo remains in the library.
Common Issues and Fixes
- “Save as Video” does not appear: The selected image may be a regular photo. Confirm the Live Photo icon appears near the top of the image.
- The option is missing on an older iPhone: Older iOS versions may place the command in the Share menu. Tap Share, then look for Save as Video.
- The Live Photo is stored in iCloud: The full-resolution original may not be downloaded. Open the Live Photo while connected to Wi-Fi, wait for the download to finish, and repeat the export.
- The exported video looks shorter than expected: A Live Photo contains only a brief motion clip, usually about three seconds. Longer video cannot be created from the original Live Photo content.
- Video sharing fails in another app: The target app may reject the file format or size. Share the saved video through Photos, or convert the file with a compatible video editor.
Quick Tips
💡Protip:
The Save as Video command creates a new file, so the iPhone stores both the Live Photo and the video version.
💡Protip:
Live Photo edits, filters, and the selected key frame may affect the exported video. Review edits before converting a Live Photo to video.
💡Protip:
The exported file normally includes the Live Photo motion and recorded sound. Silent output may result when the original Live Photo contains no audio.
💡Protip:
AirDrop, Messages, email, and cloud storage can share the video version more reliably than sharing the original Live Photo format.
Related Questions
Can a Live Photo be converted to a video without an app?
Yes. The Photos app includes a built-in Save as Video command on supported iOS versions. No third-party converter is needed for a standard iPhone Live Photo.
Where is the converted Live Photo video saved?
The converted file appears as a separate video in the Photos library, usually under Recents and Videos. The original Live Photo stays available in the original album.
