
Have you tried tapping on the white shutter button on your iPhone? Sometimes, we capture snaps and videos for special moments in one instance. The iPhone camera gives many unique features in the iPhone for taking pictures, such as live photos. There is one white shutter button at the side edge of the iPhone. If you click on it, Live photo mode starts, so you must wonder: What does live mean on iPhone camera?
In 2015, Apple introduced the Live photo as a significant feature in the iPhone 6S. The live photo captures the details before and after 1.5 seconds of a snap. Since then, most iPhone models have contained the live photo option. However, live Photos also tend to be larger files, including still images and video footage.
In the post below, I will guide you through the details of the Live function on iPhone, and you can turn on or off the Live photo mode.
What Does Live Mean On iPhone Camera?
Live Photos on the iPhone camera refer to a feature that allows you to capture a few seconds of video footage and a still photo. This feature captures a brief moment of audio and video before and after taking a picture.
- Live Photos capture a few seconds of video, audio, and a still photo.
- The video footage starts recording 1.5 seconds before and ends 1.5 seconds after taking the photo.
- You can view Live Photos by pressing and holding the photo in the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Live Photos are only available on iPhone 6s and later models.
- You can also use Live Photos as a lock screen wallpaper on your iPhone.
- Live Photos are larger than regular photos and can take up more storage space on your iPhone.
- You can edit Live Photos to choose a different frame as the still photo, add filters or crop the photo as desired.
- When you share Live Photos with others, they can view the moving footage on any device that supports Live Photos.
- Live photos can be particularly useful for capturing moments like a child’s first steps or a beautiful sunset you want to remember in more detail.
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How To Turn On Live Photo Mode & Click Snaps Through It?

Now, after getting the answer to: “What does live mean on iPhone camera?” you must be wondering about the steps for availing this prominent feature in your iPhone. Here are the steps to turn on Live Photo mode on an iPhone:
- Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
- Look for the circular icon at the top of the screen with three concentric circles next to the “HDR” and “Flash” icons.
- Live Photo mode is off if the icon has a line through it. Tap the icon to turn it on.
- When Live Photo mode is on, the icon will be yellow.
- When you take a photo, your iPhone automatically captures a 1.5-second video clip before and after the picture.
- To view Live Photos, open the Photos app on your iPhone and find the Live Photo you want to view.
- Press and hold the photo to play the video portion of the Live Photo.
Important Note: Live Photos mode is not available on all iPhone models. To check if your iPhone supports Live photos, check the steps:
Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings and ensure Live photo mode is on. If it’s not available, your iPhone may not support the feature.
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How To Use A Long Exposure Feature?
Along with the “what does live mean on iPhone camera” question, you must know the meaning and steps for using a long exposure. Long exposure means leaving the white shutter button open for a long period and allowing exposure to more light to the iPhone’s camera. It causes blur effects in the photo’s moving object. This feature is perfect for capturing beautiful motion shots, like waterfalls or driving cars.
To use long exposure in Live Photos on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone and choose the Live photo you want to edit.
- Swipe up on the photo to reveal the Effects options.
- Scroll to the right and select the Long Exposure option.
- Wait for the iPhone to process the image (this may take a few seconds).
- Once complete, you’ll see the beautiful long exposure effect on your Live Photo!
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How To Use Loop and Bounce Feature?
The loop feature allows you to create a continuous loop of your Live Photo, while the bounce feature creates a back-and-forth looping effect.
To use the loop and bounce features in Live photos on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Select the Live Photo that you want to edit.
- Swipe up on the photo to reveal the Effects options.
- Scroll to the right and select the Loop or Bounce option.
- Wait for the iPhone to process the image (this may take a few seconds).
- Once complete, you’ll see the looping or bouncing effect on your Live Photo!
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How Can I Check Live Photos Settings Stick on iPhone?
The Live Photos feature allows you to capture a photo with 1.5 seconds of video before and after you take a picture. This feature creates a dynamic and interactive image.
To check if your Live Photos setting is sticking on your iPhone, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
- Look for the yellow Live Photos icon in the top center of the screen. If the icon is yellow, Live Photos is currently turned on.
- Take a photo by pressing the shutter button.
- After taking the photo, swipe up the image to reveal the Live Photos options.
- If the Live Photos option turns grey, the Live photo is off for that photo.
What Does Live Mean on iPhone Camera Photos and Pros and Cons of Using It?
Live Photos is a special feature introduced by Apple that permits users to capture 1.5 seconds of video before and after taking a picture. This feature results in the creation of interactive and dynamic mages. Like any technology, Live Photos has pros and cons, and understanding them can help you decide whether or not to use the feature.
Pros of using Live Phot
os on iPhone:
1. Captures moments more dynamically and interactively: Live Photos capture a moment in time and just before and after, creating a more immersive experience.
2. Can help you get the perfect shot: With Live Photos, you can choose the best frame from the captured video sequence, ensuring you get the perfect picture every time.
3. Adds life to your photo library: Live Photos make your photo library more lively and interactive and evoke more vivid memories than still photos alone.
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Cons of using Live Photos on iPhone:
1. Takes up more storage space: Live Photos are larger files than regular photos, meaning they take up more storage space on your iPhone. This can be a concern for those with limited storage space.
2. May require more editing: Live Photos can be harder to edit than regular photos, as they include both video and still components.
May not be compatible with all devices: Live Photos are a proprietary feature of Apple, which means that they may not be compatible with all devices and platforms
What is the Use Of Different Camera Modes of iPhone, iPad, and Touch?
The camera modes available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch are designed to provide a range of options for users to capture the best possible photos and videos in different settings and situations. Here are some of the key camera modes available on these devices and their uses:
- Photo mode: This is the default camera mode on these devices and is used for still photos. It allows users to adjust focus, exposure, and lighting and has various features like portrait, panorama, and burst modes.
- Video mode: This mode allows users to shoot high-quality videos, including slow-motion and time-lapse videos. It offers a range of features like 4K recording, image stabilization, and capturing high-quality audio.
- Time-lapse mode: This mode captures a sequence of photos at regular intervals, which combines a video that shows the passage of time in a compressed format.
- Slo-mo mode: It captures videos at a high frame rate, allowing users to slow down the footage and create a dramatic and stylized effect.
- Portrait mode: This mode captures professional-looking portrait photos with a shallow depth of field that blurs the background and focuses on the subject.
- Panorama mode: This mode captures a wide angle of overlapping images by stitching them together in a series.
- Square mode: This mode takes photos in a square format, which helps share them on social media platforms like Instagram.
A range of other features and settings are also adjusted to further customize your photos and videos. These include exposure, focus, lighting, filters, timers, and gridlines.
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What iPhone Camera Settings Can I Use for Better Photos Other Than Live Photos?
iPhone cameras offer a range of settings to improve your photos’ quality. By experimenting with settings like HDR, gridlines, exposure, focus, flash, and Live Photos, you can capture high-quality images that will impress.
- HDR: HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, a setting that allows you to capture more detail in a photo’s bright and dark areas. HDR can be beneficial when taking pictures of landscapes or scenes with much contrast.
- Gridlines: The iPhone camera offers the option to display gridlines on the screen, which can help you compose your shots more effectively and ensure that everything is aligned correctly.
- Exposure: Exposure refers to the amount of light that enters the camera lens, and it’s a critical factor in determining the overall brightness and clarity of your photos. You can adjust the exposure feature by clicking on the iOS screen by sliding the exposure slider up or down within photo mode.
- Focus: The iPhone camera allows you to manually adjust the focus by tapping on the screen to select the area you want to be in focus. When taking portraits or other shots, it is advantageous to highlight a particular subject.
- Flash: The iPhone camera offers a built-in flash that illuminates dark scenes but can also result in harsh lighting and unflattering shadows. Consider using the flash sparingly, and experiment with other lighting sources, such as natural light or a lamp.
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What Does Live Mean On iPhone Camera & How To Switch It?
Wrapping Up
“What does live mean on iPhone camera” question can sum up as: Live Photos allows you to capture 1.5 seconds of video before and after taking a photo, creating a dynamic and interactive image. Consider this feature when photographing moving subjects, such as pets or children.
Have you checked the setting to know whether your iPhone consists of a Live photo feature or not? Please share via comments which mode you use for taking snaps. Also, share my blog with your loved ones so they can know about the smart features of the iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to turn off the live photo mode on iPhones?
If you want to turn off Live Photos mode at any time, tap on the yellow icon in the Camera app to toggle it off.
Can You share your live pictures through airdrops?
Yes, you can share the photos via airdrops. It is present in the drop-down section of share.
What is the use of live photos?
The main benefit is that they can transform boring static pics into live pictures.