Live photos on Xiaomi: how to enable, shoot and save animation

Xiaomi’s Live Photos feature allows you to capture not only static footage, but also 3 seconds of video before and after you click on the descent. This technology, popular thanks to Apple, is now available to owners of Redmi devices, POCO Or Mi, but with nuances. Unlike the iPhone, where Live Photos are activated with a single touch, Xiaomi will have to dig through the settings or use workarounds.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to create live photos on different models - from the flagships Xiaomi 14 Ultra to the budget Redmi Note 12. You will learn how to turn on the mode through standard software, which applications will help to bypass the restrictions MIUI, And the secrets of taking pictures are to make your live photos look professional, not just a random trembling shot.

What are live photos and how do they work on Xiaomi

Live Photos is a hybrid format that combines JPEG-picture and short video clip (MOV or MP4). When viewing on supported devices, just press and hold your finger on the frame to see the animation. on Xiaomi, the implementation is different from the iPhone:

• 📱 Standard Mode: Available only on flagships (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro or Mi 11 Ultra) via Dynamic Photos in the Camera app.
• 🔄 Alternative methods: On most models (including Redmi and the Redmi). POCO) Live photos are created through third-party applications or manual processing.
• ⚠️ Limitation MIUI: Even if the mode is enabled, the animation may not be saved when transferred to other devices (for example, on Windows or Mac).

Technically, live photos on Xiaomi are recorded as follows: the camera captures 1.5 seconds of video before shooting and 1.5 seconds after shooting, and then “cuts” this video to the key frame.

• 📸 Good lighting (in low light, the video part can be blurred).
• 🔋 Battery charge above 20% (power-intensive mode).
• 📱 Free space (one live frame weighs) ~5–10 MB vs. 2-3 MB of normal photo).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Snapdragon processor 4xx (Like Redmi. 9A) Live photos can slow down during reproduction due to poor performance.

What Xiaomi models support live photos out of the box

The official support of the Dynamic Photos function depends on the version MIUI Below is the compatibility table for current models (data for 2026):

To check the support on your device:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Scroll down the shooting modes to the left to the option (or More).
3. Look for Dynamic Photos or Live Photo.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) may have hidden the function. Activation requires resetting the camera settings via Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.

How to turn on live photos in a standard Xiaomi camera

If your device supports the function, it is simple to activate it:

1. Launch the Camera app.
2. Select the Photo Mode (main camera).
3. Touch the icons ⚙️ (settings) or swipe left on the screen to open additional modes.
4. Find and tap on Dynamic Photos (or Live) and the icon turns yellow, Mode on.
5. Take the picture as usual. After the shooting, the icon will appear in the gallery. 🎬 corner-back.

To view the animation:

• Open the photo in the Gallery app.
• Press and hold your finger on the screen, and the video will start playing.
• In some models (POCO F4) I need to swipe up the frame.

Make sure the mode is enabled in the camera settings|

Check the vacant space (minimum 1 GB)|

Turn off battery savings for the Camera app|

Use the main camera (not telephoto/macro)-->

If there are no dynamic photo icons:

• 🔍 Check for updates MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the function appears after the reboot.
• 📱 Install an alternative firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) if the official firmware does not support it.

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For best results, take live photos with manual focusing. Press and hold your finger on the subject to block the focus before you pull down.

Third-party applications for live photos on incompatible models

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support live photos natively, use third-party solutions.

• 📸 Google Motion Photos: Built into Google Camera app (manual installation required) APK After the shooting, the animation is saved in format.mp4 +.jpg.
• 🎥 Focos (from Xiaomi): Allows you to add the effect of live photos to already taken pictures (artificial animation).
• 🔄 Live Photo Maker: Creates live photos from individual videos and photos (suitable for manual processing).

Instructions for Google Cameras:

1. Download. APK From Celso Azevedo (select the version for your processor).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
3. Launch Google Camera, go to Settings (swipe down) and turn on Motion Photos.
4. Shoot as usual - the animation will be saved automatically.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) Google Camera may not start due to incompatibility with MediaTek processor. In this case, use Live Photo Maker.

To create live photos through Live Photo Maker:

1. Take a short video (3-5 seconds) and take a separate shot (or select it from the video).
2. Import both files to the app.
3. Select a key frame and cut the video to the desired length.
4. Export the result in Live Photo format (compatible with iPhone).

Why Live Photos Don't Work: Common Problems and Solutions

Even on supported models, users are experiencing bugs, and here are the typical causes and ways to fix them:

If the live photos are not saved at all:

• 📁 Check if the option to Save only photos in the camera settings is enabled.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes resetting temporary files helps.
• 📱 Reset the camera settings to factory (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data).

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On devices with MIUI 12 Live photos may not work due to lack of format support HEIF/HEVC. Update your firmware or use third-party apps.

Secrets of shooting: how to make live photos professional

Live photos look impressive only if you pick up the scene and settings correctly. Here are some tips from photographers:

• 🌊 Motion: Shooting at a waterfall, in the wind or in a crowd creates natural animations. Static objects (e.g. buildings) in live photos are meaningless.
• 🎭 Smile, laugh or sudden reaction in a frame looks better than posing in a camera.
• 🔦 Lighting: Avoid contrasting light (for example, against the sun) – the video part may turn out dark.
• 🎞️ Stabilization: Hold the phone with both hands or use a tripod. shaking your hand will ruin the animation.

Technical settings for the perfect frame:

• 📸 Permission: Install 12 MP, not MP 48/64/108 MP - so the video part will be smoother.
• 🔄 Frame rate: In manual mode, select 30 FPS (not 60 FPS), avoiding jerks.
• 🎤 Sound: If your model supports it, turn off noise cancellation in the microphone settings.

An example of a good shot:

1. Object: A child blowing on a dandelion (the movement of the seeds will create natural animation).
2. Settings: Photo → Dynamic photos → Hand-focusing on the dandelion.
3. Shooting: Press the descent when the baby starts blowing, but the seeds have not yet spread.

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To create "cinematic" live photos, use the application VSCO Or Snapseed to add color filters to the finished frame, and the animations will be preserved, and the frame will become more expressive.

How to edit and share live photos with Xiaomi

You can edit live photos in both the standard Gallery and third-party applications.

• ✂️ Video clipping: In Xiaomi Gallery, click Edit → Cutting video to shorten animation.
• 🎨 Filters: Apply only to static frames (video part remains unchanged).
• 🔊 Adding sound: In apps like InShot or CapCut, you can overlay music to the video part.

To share a live photo:

1. Open the frame in the Gallery.
2. Click Share and select the messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.).
3. Select Send as Live Photo (if available) or Send videos and photos separately.

Important nuances:

• 📱 On Android (except Samsung), live photos often come as separate videos and photos.
• 🍎 On iPhone, they are displayed correctly if sent via AirDrop or iCloud.
• 🌐 On social media (Instagram, VK) Animation is lost – only static frame is loaded.

⚠️ Note: When sending live photos via WhatsApp, they are compressed to resolution 720p, The video part can be cut off. Use Telegram to maintain quality").

FAQ: Frequent questions about live photos on Xiaomi