How to turn a video into a photo on iphone

Depending on who you ask, Live Photos — photos that move a bit when you activate them — are either an amazing feature or a waste of time. They don't take up as much space as videos, but aren't as useful as GIFs. So what are they useful for?

One benefit: On both iPhones and Androids, you can use Live Photos as lock and home screen backgrounds. This means you can have a moving picture as your background — fantastic for transforming the look of your favorite devices.

Here's how to turn a video into a Live Photo on both iPhone and Android.

Quick tip: Live Photos are technically an iPhone-exclusive feature. On an Android phone, the Live Photos (also called Live Wallpapers) you make can only be set as your wallpaper; they can't be shared or viewed in your Photos app like on an iPhone.

How to make a video into a Live Photo on an iPhone

1. Download the app intoLive from the App Store. It's free, but there is a Pro version that unlocks more features and editing tools.

2. Launch intoLive and give it access to your photo library.

3. You'll be shown all of the files in your camera roll, organized by type (video, burst, etc.). Pick the video that you want to turn into a Live Photo.

Note: You can pick videos of any length, but remember that the free version of intoLive can only make Live Photos up to five seconds long, and the Pro version can only go up to 30 seconds.

4. The video editing page will open. If your video is longer than the maximum time, use the slider at the bottom of the screen to pick which part of it you want to turn into a Live Photo. You can also use the icons below that slider to add filters, change the video's speed, and more; just note that some options will be locked behind the intoLive Pro paywall.

5. When you've got the video looking how you want it, tap Make in the top-right and select how many times you'd like the Live Photo to repeat — No repeat is the default, and will usually work just fine.

6. intoLive will make your Live Photo. When it's done, tap Save Live Photo.

You can find your new Live Photo in the Photos app. Feel free to set it as your home or lock screen background — it'll "activate" when you tap and hold your finger on the screen.

How to make a video into a Live Photo on an Android

As noted earlier, on Android devices, Live Photos are usually referred to as "Live Wallpapers." This is because you can only use them as wallpapers — they can't be viewed in the Photos app or shared via text message.

That said, turning a video into a Live Photo on an Android is just as easy as it is on an iPhone.

1. Download TurnLive - Live Wallpaper App from the Google Play Store. It's free, but also has premium features you can pay for in the app.

2. Launch TurnLive and accept the terms and services, then tap the Live Photo icon (it looks like three concentric circles) at the bottom-middle of the screen.

3. On the page that opens, tap the Video to Live Wallpaper option. You'll need to give the app access to your camera and photos.

4. You'll be shown all the videos saved on your device. Tap the one that you want to turn into a Live Photo, then tap Done in the top-right. You can pick any video, but your Live Photo can only be five seconds at the maximum.

5. The video will load, and then ask you which frame of the video you'd like to use as a "cover." Pick one and tap Next.

6. Use the slider in the middle of the page to pick which part of the video you'd like to turn into a Live Photo.

Quick tip: This slider can be a bit finicky — you might need to tap multiple times to drag the edges of the selector, and if you want to move it to a new part of the video, you'll have to slowly move both edges towards that point.

7. You can also use the filters below that slider to give the Live Photo different looks, or tap the lightning bolt icon to speed it up or slow it down.

8. When you're ready, tap Next in the top-right and select how many times you'd like it to repeat. Any option here works.

9. You'll be brought back to the app's main page, and your new Live Photo will process. When it's done, you can find it under the My Wallpapers heading.

10. Tap your new Live Photo and then tap the download icon. You'll be asked if you want to clear your current wallpaper — tap Clear, then give the app permission to change system settings, then go back and tap the download icon and Clear again.

11. A black screen labeled "DayTime LWP" will appear. Tap Set wallpaper, then pick whether you'd like it on just your home screen, or both your home and lock screens.

Exit the app, and you'll find your new Live Photo as the background.