How to turn off Live Photos on an iPhone
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 2 October 2026
Open the Camera app and tap the Live Photos button, the circles icon, so it shows a line through it. To keep it off, open Settings, Camera, Preserve Settings and switch on Live Photo.
A Live Photo records a second and a half of video and sound before and after each picture. They take roughly twice the storage of a normal photo, and some people simply prefer stills.
Step by step
Open the Camera app
Use Photo mode.
Tap the Live Photos button
It looks like a set of rings. On iOS 26, tap the camera controls button first to see it. A line through it means Live Photos are off.
Make it stay off
Open Settings, Camera, Preserve Settings and switch on Live Photo. Without this, the camera turns Live Photos back on the next time you open it.
Turn an existing Live Photo into a still
Open it in Photos, tap the Live label in the top corner and choose Off.
Good to know
Turning Live off for an existing photo does not free storage, because the video part is kept so you can turn it back on. To save space, duplicate the photo as a still and delete the original: tap the share button, Duplicate, Duplicate as Still Photo.
Live Photos are useful for moving subjects such as children and pets. You can pick a better frame afterwards with Edit, then the Live button.
When you share a Live Photo, tap the Live badge on the share sheet to send it as a still.
In short: Camera, tap the rings icon. Settings, Camera, Preserve Settings, Live Photo to keep it off.
- Apple Support: Take and edit Live Photos
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