Turning off Live Photos on an iPhone 7 is a simple process. Open the camera app, tap the Live Photo icon at the top-right corner to turn it off. It’s a circle surrounded by several dashes. Once it’s off, the icon turns white with a slash through it. Now you’re set to take standard still photos!
After turning off Live Photos, your iPhone will default to taking traditional still images. These won’t capture the brief moments before and after the shutter button is pressed, meaning your photos will take up less storage space.
Introduction
Live Photos can be a delightful feature on your iPhone 7, capturing a few seconds of motion and sound with each picture, making memories come alive. But sometimes, you may not want the extra movement or might be looking to save on storage space. Maybe you’re capturing a document, and the additional movement is unnecessary, or perhaps you just prefer the classic still image.
Whatever the reason, knowing how to turn off Live Photos is essential for any iPhone 7 user. Plus, it’s really simple to do! This article will guide you through the process step by step, so your camera captures exactly what you want.
Step by Step Tutorial on Turning Off Live Photos
The following steps will take you through the process of disabling the Live Photos feature on your iPhone 7.
Step 1
Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
Opening the Camera app is the first step because this is where you can access the Live Photos settings.
Step 2
Find the Live Photos icon at the top of the screen.
The icon looks like a set of concentric circles. It’s important to identify this icon as this is the control for enabling and disabling Live Photos.
Step 3
Tap the Live Photos icon to turn it off.
When the icon is yellow, Live Photos is on. Tapping it will turn it white, which means it’s turned off.
Step 4
Confirm that the icon now has a white slash through it.
This visual confirmation is essential to ensure that Live Photos is indeed disabled.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Saves Storage | Live Photos take up more space than still images, so turning them off can help save storage on your iPhone 7. |
| Quicker to Share | Still images are quicker to upload and share since they’re smaller in file size compared to Live Photos. |
| More Control | You have more control over your photography as you can choose when to have a moving image or a traditional still photo. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Missing Spontaneous Moments | Turning off Live Photos means you might miss capturing a spontaneous moment that adds life to a picture. |
| Extra Steps to Reactivate | If you want to switch back to Live Photos, you’ll need to follow a few steps to reactivate it each time. |
| Potential Confusion | For those not familiar with the feature, the process of turning it on and off may cause confusion. |
Additional Information
While turning off Live Photos on your iPhone 7 is straightforward, there are a few other things to keep in mind. For starters, even with Live Photos turned off, you can still view your previously taken Live Photos and their movements. Also, if you’re worried about forgetting to turn Live Photos back on, your iPhone 7 has a feature in settings called “Preserve Settings” which allows you to save your camera preferences. This means you can set your iPhone to always have Live Photos turned off unless you manually enable it.
Another tip is to remember that Live Photos can be edited to select a different key photo or even to add effects. If you have a Live Photo you particularly like, you can make it into a still image by selecting the frame you prefer. Lastly, keep in mind that Live Photos is an exclusive feature to the iPhone, so if you’re sharing them with friends who don’t have an iPhone, they’ll only see a still image.
Summary
- Open the Camera app.
- Locate the Live Photos icon.
- Tap the icon to turn off Live Photos.
- Verify the icon is white with a slash through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off Live Photos affect my existing photos?
No, turning off Live Photos will only affect photos taken after the feature is disabled. Your existing Live Photos will remain intact.
Can I turn Live Photos back on automatically?
Yes, by using the “Preserve Settings” feature in the settings, you can set your camera to remember your Live Photos preferences.
How can I tell if Live Photos is on or off?
The Live Photo icon is yellow when on and white with a slash through it when off.
Can I edit Live Photos?
Yes, Live Photos can be edited to choose a new key photo or add effects.
Will Live Photos take up more space on my iPhone?
Yes, because they capture movement and sound, Live Photos files are larger than still images and will take up more storage.
Conclusion
Mastering your iPhone 7’s camera features, like Live Photos, can significantly enhance your photography experience. The ability to switch between moving images and still photos offers flexibility and creativity in capturing moments. Remember, turning off Live Photos can save you storage, make sharing easier, and give you more control over your photos.
While there are some cons, such as potentially missing out on spontaneous moments, the pros generally outweigh them. And with the additional tips provided, you’re now well-equipped to make the most of your iPhone 7’s camera capabilities—whether you’re a fan of Live Photos or prefer the traditional stills.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.