In the realm of smartphone photography, Live Photos have emerged as a captivating feature, capturing both the fleeting moment and the surrounding motion in a single shot. However, for those seeking to preserve their memories in a more traditional still image format, the process of converting these dynamic images can seem daunting. If you’re an avid Mac user eager to transform your Live Photos into timeless still shots, this comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach, ensuring a seamless and effortless experience. Whether you’re a novice photographer or a seasoned pro, this article will empower you with the knowledge and techniques to masterfully convert your Live Photos into captivating stills, ready to grace your Mac’s desktop or be shared with the world.
Essential Equipment
Before embarking on your Live Photo conversion journey, it’s crucial to ensure you have the necessary equipment. Fortunately, the process is straightforward and only requires a Mac computer running macOS High Sierra (10.13) or later. With this minimal requirement met, you’re all set to dive into the exciting world of Live Photo transformation.
Operating System Compatibility
| macOS Version | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| macOS High Sierra (10.13) | Yes |
| macOS Mojave (10.14) | Yes |
| macOS Catalina (10.15) | Yes |
| macOS Big Sur (11.0) | Yes |
| macOS Monterey (12.0) | Yes |
| macOS Ventura (13.0) | Yes |
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
Method 1: Using the Photos App
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Launch Photos App: Begin by launching the Photos app on your Mac, which serves as the central hub for managing and editing your photos. Once the app is open, navigate to the Live Photo you wish to convert into a still image.
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Select Live Photo: With the Live Photo displayed on your screen, click on it once to select it. A thumbnail preview of the photo will appear in the bottom right corner of the Photos app window.
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Open Edit Mode: To initiate the editing process, click on the "Edit" button located in the top right corner of the Photos app window. This action will open the image in the editing interface, providing you with a suite of tools to enhance and manipulate your photo.
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Disable Live Mode: The key to converting a Live Photo to a still image lies in disabling its dynamic functionality. To achieve this, locate the "Live" button situated in the toolbar at the top of the editing interface. Click on the button to toggle it off, effectively turning off the Live Photo feature.
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Save Still Image: With the Live Photo now converted to a still image, it’s time to save the changes. Click on the "Done" button in the top right corner of the editing interface to finalize the conversion. The still image will be saved as a new file in your Photos library, alongside the original Live Photo.
Method 2: Using Terminal
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Open Terminal: For those comfortable working with the Terminal, this method offers an alternative approach to converting Live Photos to still images. Launch the Terminal application on your Mac, which can be found in the "Applications" folder within the "Utilities" subfolder.
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Locate Live Photo File: Using the "cd" command, navigate to the directory where the Live Photo you wish to convert is stored. The Live Photo file will typically have a ".heic" or ".jpg" extension.
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Convert Live Photo: To initiate the conversion process, enter the following command in the Terminal window, replacing "~/Desktop/LivePhoto.heic" with the actual file path of your Live Photo:
sips -s format jpeg ~/Desktop/LivePhoto.heic --out ~/Desktop/StillPhoto.jpg
This command will convert the Live Photo into a still JPEG image and save it in the specified output location, in this case, the Desktop.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
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Select Third-Party App: If the built-in methods don’t suit your preferences, there are numerous third-party apps available that can assist with Live Photo conversion. Conduct some research to identify the app that best aligns with your needs and download it from the Mac App Store or a trusted software repository.
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Import Live Photo: Once the third-party app is installed, launch it and import the Live Photo you wish to convert. The app will provide you with specific instructions on how to complete the conversion process within its interface.
What Happens to the Original Live Photo?
When you convert a Live Photo to a still image using any of the methods described above, the original Live Photo remains intact and is not deleted. The still image is saved as a new file, giving you the flexibility to preserve both the dynamic and static versions of your captured moment.
Troubleshooting Tips
Live Mode Not Disabling
If you encounter difficulties disabling Live mode using the Photos app, ensure that the Live Photo is not locked. Locked photos cannot be edited or modified, including disabling Live mode. To unlock a photo, select it in the Photos app and click on the "Lock" button located in the toolbar at the top of the window.
Still Image Not Saving
If you’re unable to save the converted still image, check the following:
- Ensure you have sufficient storage space available on your Mac.
- Verify that the file path specified for saving the still image is valid and writable.
- If using the Terminal method, double-check the syntax of the command and ensure that the file path and output location are correct.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of converting Live Photos to still images on Mac empowers you to preserve your cherished memories in both dynamic and static formats. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the Photos app, the command-line elegance of Terminal, or the versatility of third-party apps, the methods outlined in this guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to seamlessly transform your Live Photos into timeless still images, ready to adorn your Mac’s desktop, be shared with loved ones, or serve as cherished keepsakes for generations to come.
FAQ About How to Change Live Photos to Still Photos on Mac
Can I convert Live Photos to still photos on Mac?
Yes, you can convert Live Photos to still photos on Mac using the Photos app or third-party apps.
How to change Live Photos to still photos using Photos app?
- Open the Live Photo in the Photos app.
- Click on the "Live" button at the top toolbar.
- Select "Make Key Photo" to create a still photo from a specific frame.
How can I extract multiple still photos from a Live Photo?
To extract multiple still photos from a Live Photo:
- Open the Live Photo in the Photos app.
- Click on the "Edit" button.
- Click on the "Frames" tab.
- Select the frames you want to export as still photos.
- Click on the "Share" button and choose "Export Selected Frames".
Can I convert Live Photos to still photos without losing quality?
Yes, you can convert Live Photos to still photos without losing quality using the Photos app. The exported still photos will have the same resolution and quality as the original Live Photo.
Can I change the key frame of a Live Photo?
Yes, you can change the key frame of a Live Photo in the Photos app. To do this:
- Open the Live Photo in the Photos app.
- Click on the "Live" button.
- Drag the playhead to the desired frame.
- Click on the "Make Key Photo" button.
How to convert Live Photos to still photos using third-party apps?
There are several third-party apps available that can convert Live Photos to still photos. Some popular options include Live Convert, Photo Converter Pro, and iExplorer.
What is the difference between a still photo and a Live Photo?
A still photo is a single image, while a Live Photo captures a brief moment in motion. Live Photos combine a still image with a short video clip that plays when you tap or press on the photo.
Can I convert Live Photos to still photos on iPhone?
Yes, you can convert Live Photos to still photos on iPhone using the Photos app. The process is similar to converting Live Photos on Mac.
Can I change Live Photos to still photos on Windows?
Yes, you can change Live Photos to still photos on Windows using third-party apps. Some popular options include Live Photo Converter for Windows and Kopia.
What happens to the Live Photo after I convert it to a still photo?
Once you convert a Live Photo to a still photo, the Live Photo will no longer be available. The still photo will be saved as a separate file.
