Camera

Phone Live Photos or Motion Photos not working

If the short motion clip feature for photos stops recording, it's usually the feature being toggled off, low light disabling it automatically, or a storage limitation.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
5–15 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
N/A

Symptoms

  • Live Photo or Motion Photo icon not appearing when taking a shot
  • Photos save as regular still images only
  • Feature worked before and stopped
  • Icon shows but the motion doesn't play back later

Likely causes

  • CommonFeature toggled off in the camera appThis is usually a simple on/off icon in the camera interface that can be tapped off accidentally.
  • CommonLow light automatically disabling the featureSome phones disable motion capture in dim conditions since it can look poor.
  • PossibleLow storage space preventing the extra video data from savingLive/Motion photos store additional video data, needing more free space than a still photo.
  • PossibleSoftware bug after an updateUpdates can occasionally reset or disable this feature until fixed.

What to do

  1. Check the camera interface for the Live Photo/Motion Photo icon and make sure it's enabled (usually shown as concentric circles).
  2. Try in brighter lighting to rule out an automatic low-light disable.
  3. Free up storage space.
  4. Restart the phone and check for a software update.
  5. Confirm you're viewing the photo in an app that supports playing the motion, since some viewers only show the still image.

When to call a pro

A repair shop isn't relevant here; this is a settings, lighting, or storage issue.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.