Extract Still Images From Live Photos

/

Question: Is it possible to extract one or more still images from a Live Photo?

Answer: Absolutely! And it's good to know how to do this because sometimes the Live Photo may capture an expression (a frame) that you prefer over the original still image you captured. The step-by-step instructions are below.

iPhone/iPad
Software Version iOS 16

Media Types.jpg
 

View All Live Photos

  1. Open PHOTOS app

  2. Tap ALBUMS icon (at bottom)

  3. Scroll to Media Types

  4. Tap LIVE PHOTOS

  5. Scroll to select a specific Live Photo

  6. If the Live Photo doesn't play automatically, press on the photo

 
Live Photos Comparison.png
 

In the example above you see the Live Photo I took of Belle* crops part of her head. So if I were to save the original still photo, this is the image I would get. However, I can change this because the Live Photo captured additional frames. When I select a new frame (a new key photo), I end up with a much improved still photo.

The following steps can be repeated for each Live Photo frame you wish to convert to a still image.

{*Belle is my Florida dog who loves playing ball even in the snow}

Part I: Select the Key Photo

  1. Tap the Live Photo

  2. Tap EDIT

  3. Tap the Live Photo button (circular button at bottom left)

  4. Swipe across the slider to view each frame

  5. Select a specific frame, then tap MAKE KEY PHOTO

  6. Tap DONE

Part II: Duplicate the Live Photo as a Still Photo

  1. Tap the Menu button (ellipsis button upper right)

  2. Tap DUPLICATE

  3. Tap DUPLICATE AS STILL PHOTO

Part III (Optional): Save Additional Still Photos from Live Photo

If you wish to save additional frames, repeat steps from Part I & Part II.

View Recently Created Still Photos

  1. While viewing the Live Photo, tap the ( i ) button (at bottom), then swipe up until you see SHOW IN ALL PHOTOS

  2. Tap SHOW IN ALL PHOTOS

  3. The still photos are organized chronologically by date taken and will display next to the Live Photo

  4. Tap the photos to view

*Important* - Delete Unnecessary Live Photos

Live Photos take up more storage space than standard photos. So since we aim to keep our photo collections tidy, it's important to delete any Live Photos you no longer need.