Live Photos captures video and sound around the moment you tap the shutter button
Live Photos is a feature that records a short video clip — about 1.5 seconds before and after you take a photo — instead of just a still image. When you look at the photo later, you can press and hold it to see the moment come to life with motion and sound. It works on iPhones and some Android phones, though the steps differ between them.
The feature is turned off by default on most devices. If you want to use it, you need to switch it on in your camera settings before you take the photo. Once enabled, Live Photos work automatically — you do not have to do anything different when you press the shutter button.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open the Camera app, look for the concentric circles icon at the top of the screen, and tap it to turn Live Photos on or off.
- On Android, the feature is called Motion Photo and is found in your camera settings under Photo or Camera options, depending on your phone model.
- Live Photos use more storage than regular photos because they record video alongside the still image.
- You can turn Live Photos on and off at any time — the setting only affects photos you take after you change it.
How to enable Live Photos on iPhone
Open the Camera app on your iPhone. At the top center of the screen, you will see a circle with concentric rings inside it — this is the Live Photos icon. Tap it once. The icon will turn yellow when Live Photos is on, and it will be gray or white when it is off.
That is all you need to do. From that moment forward, every photo you take will include the video recording. When you open the photo in your Photos app later, press and hold the image to watch the motion play. Release your finger to stop.
If you want to turn Live Photos off again, go back to the Camera app and tap the same icon. It will return to gray, and your next photos will be still images only.
How to enable Motion Photo on Android
The Android version of this feature is called Motion Photo, and where you find it depends on your phone brand. Open your Camera app and look for a settings icon — usually a gear or three horizontal lines. Tap it to open the camera settings.
Look for an option labeled "Motion Photo," "Video Photo," or "Photo+" depending on your phone model. Samsung phones call it "Single Take" or "Motion Photo." Google Pixel phones label it "Motion Photo." Tap the toggle or checkbox next to it to turn it on. The setting will remain on until you turn it off again.
Close the settings menu and return to the camera. You can now take photos with motion recording. To view the motion later, open the photo in your gallery app and look for a play icon or press and hold the image.
What happens to your storage when you use Live Photos
Live Photos and Motion Photos take up significantly more space than regular photos because they store video data alongside the still image. A typical photo might use 2 to 4 megabytes, but a Live Photo can use 5 to 15 megabytes depending on the lighting and movement in the scene.
If you are running low on storage, turning off Live Photos will help you save space. You can also delete the motion portion of existing Live Photos without deleting the still image itself. On iPhone, open the photo, tap Edit, tap the Live Photos icon, and choose "Disable Live Photo." On Android, this option varies by phone — check your gallery app's edit menu.
Turning Live Photos off for specific moments
You do not have to disable the feature entirely if you only want to skip it for certain shots. On iPhone, you can toggle the Live Photos icon on and off between each photo. Take a regular photo with it off, then turn it back on for the next shot.
On Android, the process is similar — most camera apps let you toggle Motion Photo on and off without closing the camera. This gives you control over which photos use the extra storage without having to dig into settings each time.
Why Live Photos might not work
Live Photos require enough light to record video smoothly. In very dim lighting, your phone may disable the feature automatically or produce a video with visible noise or blur. This is normal — your phone is protecting the quality of the recording.
If the Live Photos icon is grayed out or missing on iPhone, check that you have enough available storage. If your phone is nearly full, the camera will disable Live Photos to prevent crashes. Free up space and try again. On Android, make sure Motion Photo is actually enabled in your settings — some phones reset this option after a software update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert a regular photo to a Live Photo later?
No. Live Photos must be recorded at the moment you take the photo. You cannot add motion to a photo you already took as a still image. However, you can edit a Live Photo to remove the motion and keep just the still image.
Do Live Photos work with third-party camera apps?
On iPhone, only the built-in Camera app captures Live Photos. Third-party apps like Instagram or Snapchat do not record motion this way. On Android, it depends on the app — some newer apps support Motion Photo, but most do not.
What happens to Live Photos if I share them?
When you send a Live Photo through text, email, or social media, most platforms convert it to a still image automatically. The motion is lost in the transfer. Some apps like iMessage and AirDrop preserve the Live Photo format if both people are using compatible devices.
Can I edit the video portion of a Live Photo?
On iPhone, you can trim the video by opening the photo, tapping Edit, and adjusting the timeline at the bottom. On Android, editing options vary by phone model — check your gallery app's edit menu for motion or video trimming tools.
Does Live Photo drain my battery faster?
Recording video uses more power than taking a still photo, but the difference is small since Live Photos only record for about three seconds total. If you take dozens of Live Photos in a single session, you may notice slightly faster battery drain, but it is not significant for typical daily use.