Convert iPhone Live Photos to Still Images

[wasabi]

5 Easy Ways to Convert Live Photos to Still on iPhone

There are several ways to extract still images from Live Photos, and some methods may suit your needs better than others. We’ve tested multiple approaches and organized them into the sections below to help you choose the most convenient option.

---

1. Edit a Single Live Photo

If you only need to convert one or a few Live Photos, using the iPhone’s built-in Edit menu is the easiest option. While it’s a manual method, it’s quick, simple, and doesn’t require installing any additional apps.

Note: This method does not remove the Live Photo data, so it won’t reduce the file size—it only changes how the photo behaves.

Here’s how to extract a still image from a Live Photo on iPhones running iOS 13 through iOS 18 (including newer models like the iPhone 16 series):

1. Open the Photos app.

2. Find and tap the Live Photo you want to convert.

   

3. Tap Edit at the bottom of the screen, next to the share icon.

4. Tap the Live Photo icon (three concentric circles).

   

5. To choose a different frame – move the slider to find the best moment.

6. Tap Make Key Photo to set your preferred frame.

   

7. Next, tap the LIVE button at the top of the screen to turn off the feature.

8. Don’t forget to tap Done at the top right corner after applying your change.

After this, your Live Photos will turn into a still image. You can undo this change by applying the same steps as above. Alternatively, you can simply do the following:

1. Tap the Live Photo you want to edit.

2. Next, tap the LIVE option on the top left corner of your screen when viewing a Live Photos.

3. Select whether you want your image to apply the Live or Live Off option.

   

Note that this method will not delete the Live Photos information from your image, thus not decreasing the file size.

2. Convert Multiple Live Photos to Still

Using the Edit option on your Photos app would be tedious if you have hundreds of photos to extract. To convert multiple Live Photos to still images at once, you can use the Duplicate as Still Photos feature on your iPhone. Here’s how you can do this:

1. Open the Photos app.

2. Tap Select in the top right corner of your screen.

3. Tap the Live Photos you want to convert.

4. Tap the Meatballs menu (three dots menu) and select Duplicate.
   

   

5. In the pop-up menu, select Duplicate as Still Photos.
   

   

This method allows you to convert Live Photos to still images in bulk, but it comes with a downside—it creates duplicates, which can actually take up more storage. To fully free up space, you’ll need to open the Live Photos album in the Photos app and manually delete the original Live versions afterward.

---

3. Convert to Still Photos Automatically with an App

If the previous methods feel too time-consuming—especially with a large photo library—using an app is the easiest solution. Some apps can batch-convert Live Photos to still images automatically, saving you a lot of effort.

One option we tested is Clever Cleaner, a storage cleanup app that handles this process smoothly and efficiently. It’s particularly useful for converting multiple Live Photos at once without manual work.

Note: Live Photo conversion is just one of four features included in Clever Cleaner. What really stands out is that the app is completely free—we didn’t encounter any in-app purchases, locked features, or ads, which is quite rare.

According to the official Clever Cleaner website, the app is expected to remain free for early users. This means if you download and keep it on your iPhone now, you should continue to have free access even as new updates and features are introduced. The official launch video supports this claim as well.

Here’s how you can use it:

1. Download and install Clever Cleaner from the App Store.

2. Open the app and allow access to your Photos.

3. Tap Lives. You can sort by date or size using the Sort by option at the top.

   

4. Then select the ones you want to convert (or tap Select All).

5. Tap on Compress —even though it says “compress,” this process will turn them into still images. Below the Compress button, the app even displays how much storage space this action will free up—a pretty nifty addition.

   

6. Wait for the app to finish processing. The app will save a new still photo and then ask what to do with the original Live Photo.

   

7. You can either keep the Live Photo in the Trash for a temporary backup or permanently delete it to free up space. If you choose to keep it in the trash, you can restore it directly from the app if you change your mind.

As mentioned earlier, Clever Cleaner offers more than just Live Photo conversion. At the bottom of the app, you’ll find four main sections: Similars, Screenshots, Lives, and Heavies—each designed to target different types of storage clutter.

This app goes beyond what Apple’s built-in Photos or Files apps can do. While the native Photos app only detects exact duplicates, Clever Cleaner uses AI to identify similar images, helping you remove near-duplicates that often go unnoticed.

• Similars: Detects visually similar photos, not just identical copies.

• Screenshots: Lets you quickly find and delete unnecessary screenshots in bulk.

• Lives: Converts Live Photos into still images to save space.

• Heavies: Highlights the largest photos and videos, making it easy to remove files that take up the most storage.

The Heavies feature is especially useful since videos can consume gigabytes of storage in minutes—and the native Photos app doesn’t allow sorting by file size. This tool helps you quickly identify and remove large files without manually digging through your library.

Overall, it’s a handy app to keep on your iPhone. If you’re looking for more options, you can also explore other highly rated iPhone cleaners or AI-powered storage optimization apps.

---

4. Convert All Live Photos to Still Using Shortcuts

If you want a more automated, built-in approach, you can use the Shortcuts app to convert Live Photos into still images. Once set up, this method can process multiple photos at once with minimal effort.

Note: This method converts Live Photos into still images but does not delete the original Live Photos automatically. You’ll still need to remove them manually in the Photos app to free up storage.

This method works on iPhones that support the Shortcuts app, including devices running up to iOS 18. (We tested it on an iPhone 13 Pro Max.)

Here’s how to create and use this shortcut:

1. Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.

2. 
   Tap the + button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.

3. Tap the Search Action under the New Shortcut option.

   

4. Find the Photos option (by using the search bar or simply scrolling down) and select Find Photos.

5. Tap Add Filter within the action.

   

6. Then, select the first variable (which should have the value “Album” by default) and change it to Photo Type. Then, edit the second variable to Live Photos.

   

7. Next, search and select the Repeat with Each action**.**

8. Now, search and select the Convert Image action.

9. Under Convert Image, change the variable Repeat Results by tapping and holding onto it to trigger the menu. Then, tap Select Variable.

   

10. Now, choose Repeat Item.

11. Change the photo type from JPEG to the type you want. We chose PNG for this example.

12. Afterward, search for the Save to Photo Album action. The action should display “Save Converted Image to Recents.”

13. Make sure that the End Repeat action is the last action to be executed. If this is not the case, hold and drag the action downwards until it is.

    

14. Tap Done on the top right corner of your screen.

Once your shortcut is set up, you can run it anytime by simply tapping on it or selecting it and pressing the Play button in the bottom-right corner.

---

5. Manage Live Photos Using a Mac

If you have access to a Mac, you can also manage and convert Live Photos using the Photos app on macOS. This can be especially helpful if you prefer working on a larger screen.

Note: This method is essentially the same as Method 1, but performed on a Mac instead of an iPhone. It’s a great option if you find it easier to review and edit photos using a mouse and keyboard.

Requirements:

• A Mac running macOS Sierra or later (to support Live Photos).

• iCloud Photos enabled on both your iPhone and Mac so your library stays synced.

Here’s how to convert Live Photos into still images on your Mac:

1. Open the Photos app on your Mac. In the Library section, select the Live Photos album from the sidebar.

   

2. Select the Live Photo that you want to convert.

3. Click Edit in the top right corner.

   

4. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see the timeline—drag the white slider left or right to choose the best frame. Once you’ve selected the perfect frame, click Make Key Photo to set it as the main still image.

5. Now, click on the Live Photos button at the bottom of the window and select Off from the dropdown menu.

   

6. Finally, click Done.

Bonus Tip (Windows Users)

If you’re using a Windows PC, you can connect your iPhone and transfer your Live Photos to your computer. After transferring, you’ll typically see:

• A JPEG file (the still image)

• A .AAE file (which contains Apple’s edit data)

This gives you access to the still version without needing additional tools.

---

Final Tips

If your goal is to completely get rid of Live Photos—for example, to save storage—we have a detailed guide that walks you through the entire process step by step. It shows how to remove Live Photos while keeping the still images, so you don’t lose your favorite shots.

If you’ve already done that but your storage still appears full, there may be other reasons:

• Deleted photos might still be sitting in the Recently Deleted album

• iPhone system storage may not have cleared properly

In that case, check out our guide on fixing iPhone storage still full after deleting photos. It covers common issues and explains how to free up hidden space that built-in tools don’t always handle well.

If you run into any issues or have questions not covered in the guide, consider joining our forum. You can start a discussion, ask for advice, and get help from experienced users and experts. Whether it’s Live Photos or any other iPhone-related problem, it’s a great place to find practical solutions.