How to Turn Live Photo to GIF: Built-in, App & Online Tool

GIFs are a fun way to share animated moments and bring energy to digital chats. While many people think you need video to make a GIF, iPhone users have an easy option: Live Photos. Both GIFs and Live Photos capture short bursts of motion.

If you want to turn a Live Photo into a GIF, we are here to help. Knowing why and how to convert Live Photos into GIFs can help you transform your favorite moments into animated images. With this article, you will learn the various methods of creating GIFs from your iPhone Live Photos.

Part 1: What is a Live Photo

Have you ever taken a photo on your iPhone and wished you could capture the moments before and after the shot? That is precisely what Live Photos does! A Live Photo is a feature on iPhones that records a short 1.5-second video before and after you take a picture. Along with this video, it also captures sound. When you view a Live Photo, it feels like the image is coming to life, showing a brief moment of action around the still picture. It is a fun way to relive those small but special moments.

Part 2: Why Convert Live Photo to GIF

Converting a Live Photo to a GIF can be really useful for a few reasons. GIFs are quicker to share on social media and messaging apps. Unlike Live Photos, they do not require special apps or devices to view. Plus, GIFs loop continuously, making it more fun to show a small action or movement.

Converting to a GIF also reduces the file size, making it quicker to share and store. The best thing is that you can also upscale GIFs to improve visual quality if you want to use them in professional or larger-scale settings. So, if you are going to show a fun moment with a simple, endless loop, converting a Live Photo to a GIF is the way to go!

Part 3: How to Turn a Live Photo into a GIF (Multiple Methods)

Converting a Live Photo into a GIF is a quick and fun way to share moments in a more dynamic format. There are different ways to do it, either built-in on your device, an online tool, or a third-party app. Let us dive into how you can do it in a few simple steps!

1. Using iPhone Shortcuts (No App Needed)

Did you know you can quickly turn Live Photos into GIFs on your iPhone without using any extra apps? iPhone Shortcuts is a built-in tool that can help you do just that. It allows you to convert Live Photos into GIFs with just a few taps. But that is not all! You can also automate other tasks, making your iPhone even more powerful and personalized. It is simple, fast, and available right on your phone.

Step 1Run the app and tap the Gallery tab at the bottom-right corner. In the search bar, type Make GIF and tap the + button to add it to your shortcuts.

Step 2Go back to the main screen of the Shortcuts app. Now, tap the Make GIF shortcut. You will see a prompt to choose a Live Photo. Pick the Live Photo you want to turn into a GIF.

Step 3Once the shortcut is done, tap Done in the bottom-right corner. Your new GIF will be saved automatically to your Photos app. Go ahead and share it now on social media, via text, or through email.

2. Using AVAide Image Converter (Online)

It is also possible for you to turn Live Photos into GIFs online, making it easier than ever to create fun and shareable animations. With this method, you do not need to worry about software downloads or extra steps. AVAide Image Converter offers a free, safe, and simple solution for this.

You can quickly convert your Live Photos into GIFs with just one click while enjoying high-quality results. Plus, you can trust that your files are secure and private during the conversion process. Whether it is an image or a video, you can easily create the perfect GIF using it.

Step 1Since it is an online tool, open your browser and go to the official AVAide Image Converter website.

Step 2You will see an option to convert images to different formats. Select GIF as the format you want to convert your Live Photo to.

Step 3Click on the + Choose Files button to upload your Live Photo. You can either select it from your device or drag and drop the image straight into the tool.

Step 4Once your image is uploaded, the AVAide Image Converter will automatically convert the Live Photo into a GIF. After the conversion is done, click the Download All button to save your new GIF to your device.

That is it! Now you have your Live Photo in GIF format, ready to share or use however you like.

3. Using a Third-Party App

Want to make your Live Photos more fun and creative? GIPHY is the app for you. With GIPHY, you can easily turn any Live Photo into a GIF and add cool text, stickers, or filters. It is an excellent way to personalize your photos and share them in a fun format. Plus, it is easy to save and share your GIFs across social media or messaging apps.

Rely on the tutorial below to learn how to make a GIF from a live photo using it:

Step 1Download and install the GIPHY app from the App Store if you have not already done so. Open the app and tap the + button to create a new GIF.

Step 2Tap the Library button in the app to access your photos. Then, choose Live Photos and pick the one you want to convert into a GIF.

Step 3GIPHY allows you to add text, stickers, or filters to your GIF. Once you are done customizing it, tap Next to move on.

Step 4If you are happy with your creation, tap Save GIF to store the GIF to your Camera Roll. If you prefer a video version, tap Save Video instead.

Now, your GIF is ready! You can share it anywhere, like social media, messaging apps, or any platform that supports GIFs. If it is too big to share, you can use a GIF resizer to make the file size smaller.

By Jane Pineda on Jun 19, 2025