How to take a live photo on Xiaomi: full instructions with secret chips

Live photos on Xiaomi – it’s not just animation, and mini-video length 1.5-3 A technology similar to Apple's Live Photos is available on most of the brand's smartphones, but many users are unaware of its existence. In this article, we will analyze not only how to turn on the function, but also how to use it correctly to get the highest quality result.

It’s important to understand that live photos on Xiaomi work differently than on iPhone. There’s no automatic animation creation for each shot – you need to activate the function manually.mp4, It's not.mov, which affects compatibility with other devices.

Which Xiaomi models support live photos?

The live photo feature (Dynamic Photo or Live Photo) is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones released after 2018.

• 📱 Flagship models (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mi 11): Support from the box with full editing functions.
• 📱 Mid-segment (Redmi Note) 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5): There is a function, but there may be no advanced editing.
• 📱 Budget models (Redmi) 9A/10A): Live photos are only available through third-party apps.
• ⚠️ Outdated devices (Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2, Redmi 5/6): function is not available at the firmware level.

Support can be checked in two ways:

1. Open the Camera app → Go to Photo mode. → tap the icon ⚙️ (setting) → Search for Live Photo or Dynamic Photo.
2. Check the version. MIUI: function is stable at work MIUI 12 and newer. MIUI 11 may require an update.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Poco) F3) Live photos are disabled by default in regional firmware. To enable, go to Camera Settings → Additionally. → Live photos and activate the slider.

How to turn on live photos in a standard Xiaomi camera

The activation algorithm of the function depends on the version MIUI And we're going to look at a universal approach that works on 90 percent of the devices:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to Photo Mode (Regular Shooting).
3. In the top toolbar, find the icon ⚪⚪⚪ (three circles; or 🎬 (if the function is already activated).
4. Click on the icon – if it lights up in yellow or blue, live photos are included.
5. Take the picture as usual. After you shoot in the gallery, there's an icon next to the photo. 🎥.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) the process is simplified:

• 🔹 Enable Photo mode.
• 🔹 Touch the icons 🌟 In the top menu (may be called) AI Cinema).
• 🔹 Select a Live Photo from the list of effects.

Make sure there is enough memory on your phone (1 live-photo ≈ 5-10 MB)

Turn off battery savings for the Camera app

Make sure that the function does not conflict with HDR night-time

Remove the case if it closes the microphone (sound is recorded!)

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If the icons of live photos are not in the interface, try:

1. Update the Camera app via Google Play.
2. Reset the camera settings: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the data.
3. Install an alternative firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) where the function is unlocked.

Where are live photos stored and how to view them

After you shoot, the live photos are saved in the standard Gallery, but they look like normal pictures -- until you activate the animation.

1. Open the gallery and find a photo with a badge 🎥 top-right.
2. Touch and hold your finger on the screen, and the animation will start playing.
3. To turn off the sound (if recorded), tap the icon 🔇 bottom-screen.

On some devices (e.g. Redmi) K50) Live photos are saved in a separate folder:

• 📁 DCIM → Camera → DynamicPhotos – This is where the source files are stored.mp4.
• 📁 DCIM → Camera – here are previews in.jpg format.

If the animation is not reproduced:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Update the Gallery app.
• 🔄 Check if the energy saving mode for media files is turned off.

⚠️ Note: Live photos taken on Xiaomi may not be played on devices from other brands (such as Samsung or Huawei). GIF or MP4 via the menu Share → Save as video.

How to edit live photos on Xiaomi

In the standard gallery. MIUI Basic tools for editing live photos are available:

For advanced editing (such as adding music or text), use third-party apps:

• 🎬 CapCut – for installation and addition of effects.
• 🎨 VivaVideo – to create collages from live photos.
• 🔄 Live Photo to GIF — animation.

💡

If you want to save a live photo as a normal image, open it in the gallery, click Edit → Save it as a photo. It creates a static image. JPG animationless.

Problems with live photos on Xiaomi and their solutions

Despite the convenience, the live photo function sometimes fails.

1. live photos are not saved

Reason: Not enough space on the device or conflict with other camera features.

Decision:

• 📲 Release me. 1-2 GB memory.
• 📲 Turn it off. HDR Night mode – they can block the recording of animations.
• 📲 Reset the camera settings (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Clear the data).

2.The animation twitches or slows down

Reason: Low processor performance or coding error.

Decision:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI.
• 🔄 Try to take a live photo in mode 1080p instead 4K (if available).

3.There's no sound in the live photo

Reason: The microphone is locked or disabled in the settings.

Decision:

• 🎤 Check if the microphone is covered with a cover or finger.
• 🎤 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Camera. → Permits and enable access to the microphone.
• 🎤 Restart the Camera app.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Live photos are saved by default without sound if Ultrasonic Focus is enabled. Turn it off in the camera settings.

How to share live photos with Xiaomi

Live photos on Xiaomi are saved in a proprietary format, so when sent via messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), the animation is lost.

Method 1: Exports to GIF or MP4

1. Open a live photo in the Gallery.
2. Press Share. → Save as a video or Save as a video GIF.
3. Send the received file through any messenger.

Method 2: Send via Google Photos

Google Photos supports live photos of Xiaomi in the original format:

1. Upload the photo to Google Photos (automatically or manually).
2. Open the photo in the app and click Share → Copy the link.
3. Send the link to the recipient – he will be able to view the animation in the browser.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Services

Services like Lively or Motion Stills allow you to convert live photos into universal formats:

• 🌐 Lively – creates animated wallpaper for the desktop.
• 🌐 Motion Stills (from Google) – stabilizes video and exports to the Internet MP4.

Sending it like GIF

Exporting to MP4

Using Google Photos.

I don't share it for myself.

Another way.

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Hidden Chips of Live Photos on Xiaomi

Few people know, but live photos on Xiaomi can be used not only for entertainment, but also for practical purposes.

1. Creating wallpaper for locking

Animated wallpaper from live photos can be installed on the lock screen:

1. Open a live photo in the Gallery.
2. Press More. → Set up how → Lock wallpaper.
3. Cut the frame and save it. Now, when you unlock it, you'll play animations.

2. Replace background on video calls

In some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) live photos can be used as a background for video calls in Zoom or Google Meet:

1. Export live photos to the MP4.
2. In the video call settings, select Virtual Background → Download the video.
3. Download the file you received.

3. Automatic creation of timelapses

If you take a series of live photos at intervals of a few seconds, they can be glued into an accelerated video:

• 🎥 Use the Quik app (from GoPro) for automatic editing.
• 🎥 In CapCut, import live photos as clips and speed up playback.

💡

Live photos on Xiaomi record not only video, but also sound – this allows you to create mini podcasts or voice notes with a visual number.

FAQ: Frequent questions about live photos on Xiaomi