iPhone Live Photos Not Working? 8 Ways to Fix It
Live Photos add motion to photos. When not working, this guide fixes all issues.
8 Fixes for Live Photos
1. Enable Live Photos
Camera app > tap Live Photo icon (circles) > ensure ON (yellow, no slash through it).
2. Check Storage Space
Live Photos use more storage. Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Need adequate free space.
3. Disable Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode disables Live Photos. Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode > OFF.
4. Update iOS
Settings > General > Software Update. Live Photos improvements in updates.
5. Restart Camera App
Close and reopen Camera app. Resets Live Photos functionality.
6. Check iPhone Model
Requires iPhone 6s or newer. iPhone 6 and earlier don't support Live Photos.
7. Reset Camera Settings
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings.
8. Restart iPhone
Force restart: Volume Up, Down, hold Side button.
Live Photos Playback Issues
If can't play Live Photos:
- Long press photo (don't just tap)
- Check not converted to still photo
- Settings > Photos > View Full HDR
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Live Photos icon greyed out? A: Low Power Mode enabled, insufficient storage, or not supported on iPhone model.
Q: Do Live Photos take more space? A: Yes, about 2x more than still photos. Can convert to still to save space.
Q: Can I turn existing photos into Live Photos? A: No, must capture as Live Photo originally. Can't add motion after.
Conclusion
Most Live Photos issues are due to Low Power Mode or storage. Disable Low Power Mode and ensure adequate storage for Live Photos to work.
