Converting a live photo to a video on Facebook is a straightforward process that can be done right from the Facebook app. Live photos are a fun way to capture moments on iPhone, but sometimes it can be nicer to share them as a short video instead of a still image. Luckily, Facebook makes it easy to convert live photos to shareable videos.
What is a Live Photo?
A live photo is a brief video clip that is captured by an iPhone camera for 1.5 seconds before and after a still photo is taken. The image looks like a normal photo, but if you press and hold on it, it will play a short animated clip, essentially bringing the photo to life. Live photos work by capturing video along with the photo and stitching the frames together into an animated image file.
Live photos require an iPhone 6S or later running iOS 9 or above. Older iPhone models are not capable of capturing live photos. The feature must also be enabled in your iPhone’s camera settings.
When you take a live photo on your iPhone and share it on Facebook, it will appear as a still image in the newsfeed but can be played as a video when pressed on. However, there may be times when you want to permanently convert the live photo to a shareable video before posting it on Facebook.
Why Convert to Video?
Here are some reasons you may want to convert a live photo to video format:
- Easier to view – Videos auto-play as users scroll on mobile, ensuring your live moment will be seen.
- Smaller file size – Video files are smaller than the multilayered live photo format.
- Works across devices – Videos will play on any device, whereas live photos require an iOS device.
- Better optics – A short video can sometimes convey a live moment better than an animated still image.
- Enhanced sharing – Videos are easy to share and can be downloaded, unlike live photos.
How to Convert Live Photo to Video
Here is a step-by-step guide to converting a live photo to video format on your iPhone before sharing it on Facebook:
- Open the Facebook app – Tap the Facebook app icon to launch the mobile app on your iPhone.
- Create a new post – Tap on the status update box at the top of your news feed to begin creating a new Facebook post.
- Select Photo/Video – Tap on the Photo/Video button below the text box.
- Choose your live photo – Browse your camera roll and select the live photo you want to convert and share.
- Convert to video – With your live photo selected, tap on the “Live” icon at the bottom left. This will convert the live photo to a shareable MP4 video file.
- Edit the video (optional) – Use the edit tools to trim or customize the converted video as needed.
- Post the video – When ready, tap “Done” then “Post” to share the converted live video on Facebook.
Once posted, the video will now play automatically as people scroll through Facebook, making your live moment more visible compared to a still live photo. The conversion process happens right within the Facebook app, making it quick and convenient to share your live photos as videos.
Other Ways to Convert Live Photo to Video
In addition to using the built-in Facebook tool, there are a couple other easy ways to convert live photos to video on your iPhone:
Use the Photos App
The default Photos app that comes with your iPhone has a video conversion tool:
- Open the Photos app and find the Live Photo you want to convert.
- Swipe up on the photo to reveal the conversion icons.
- Tap on the “Convert to Video” icon (it looks like a video camera).
This will save a new video copy of your live photo which you can then share on Facebook or anywhere else.
Use Third-Party Apps
There are several iOS apps that specialize in converting Live Photos to video:
- Live2Video – Simple app with no frills that efficiently converts Live Photos.
- Live Photo to Video Converter – Converts photos and trims videos easily.
- Live Photo Movie Maker – More advanced editing features like filters and effects.
- GIF Live Photo Converter – Adds the option to also convert to animated GIFs.
The advantage of third-party converters is the ability to batch process multiple live photos at once. However, you must first download the converted videos before sharing to Facebook.
Tips for Shooting Live Photos
To ensure your live photos successfully convert to compelling videos, keep these shooting tips in mind:
- Hold the camera steady – Movement should happen within the scene.
- Capture 1-2 seconds before/after the shot – Give context to the moment.
- Shoot at pivotal moments – Interesting reactions, not mundane events.
- Use good lighting – Brightly lit photos convert best.
- Get close to the subject – For facial reactions and detail.
- Try different angles – Front, side, and rear views tell a story.
- Have fun! – Creative live photos make great videos.
Conclusion
Converting live photos to video for Facebook is super easy right from the Facebook app itself. This allows you to share your memorable live moments in a format that is easier to view, share, and enjoy across all devices. With a few taps, your live photos become dynamic videos that will bring vibrancy and movement to your Facebook news feed. So capture those candid moments in live photo mode and then effortlessly transform them into short videos to really showcase the occasion.