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If a picture says 1,000 words, how much does a video say? With motion photos, you get the flexibility of a recording with the same quality as a static image. When activated, motion photos take a series of shots when a photo is taken. You are left with a series of images and a short video. After it's activated, each photo is accompanied by a low frame rate video that's perfect for making GIFs of your dog, kid, or anything else.

You can't share a motion photo outside of Google Photos. The easiest way to share your clip is by creating a GIF. In this guide, we show you how to take a motion photo with your Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy device and export it as a shareable GIF.

We include instructions for taking motion photos with a Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy. Regardless of the device you use to take the photo, the export process is the same.

What is a motion photo?

A motion photo, like the Apple iOS live photo tool, captures multiple images and short videos in a single snap. When a motion photo is taken, your phone records a short video of about three seconds (1.5 seconds before the photo is taken and 1.5 seconds after). This doesn't affect your original photo. Instead of taking one photo, you take about 40 photos within a three-second time period. Google highlights the original photo and a few other potential good shots.

A motion photo takes up two to three times as much storage space. If you're limited on storage, you might want to think twice before turning on this feature.

How to take motion photos on Google Pixel

Depending on your camera settings, you might be unable to take motion photos. Motion photos won't work if Social Media Depth, Night Sight, Selfie illumination, or your flash is turned on. Follow these steps to ensure these settings are turned off.

  1. Open the Camera app and tap the Settings button in the upper-left corner.
  2. If the Top Shot setting is set to On, skip the rest of these steps.
  3. Set the More Light setting to None.
  4. Tap More Settings.
  5. Tap Advanced.
  6. Turn off the Social media depth features slider.
  7. Return to the Camera app's Settings menu and turn on Top Shot. If set to Auto, your phone only takes a motion photo if it detects movement in the shot.
  8. Take a photo.

Each time you take a photo, your camera takes a motion photo. This doesn't impact your photo quality, and you can save the original photo separately.

How to take motion photos on Samsung Galaxy phones

Unlike the Pixel, Samsung phones capture motion photos even when the flash is turned on. Night mode must remain turned off. You shouldn't have to change any settings unless night mode is turned on.

  1. Open the Camera app.
  2. Tap the Motion Photo button in the upper-right corner.
  3. A bubble appears to confirm Motion Photos is turned on.
  4. Take a photo.

How to export a motion photo as a GIF

You can turn your motion photo into a GIF. This action does not replace the motion photo. Instead, it saves the created GIF to your Google Photos app and the Gallery app on a Samsung. You can return to your original capture at any time.

  1. Open the Google Photos app and find the photo you want to export.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
  3. Scroll right and tap Export.
  4. Select GIF.
  5. Tap Export.
  6. A popup appears to confirm your GIF has been exported. Tap View or open the Google Photos app to view it.

Your GIF is ready to be shared. Motion photos are a fantastic tool for creating quick GIFs. You may want to keep it on at all times. You never know when your subject might move, sneeze, or blink, making it a great way to capture everyday moments.

A final note on GIFs

Motion photos are a great way to capture better photos and create cool GIFs for posting on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or TikTok. However, many GIFs combine text, voiceover, and animation. If you want to get into advanced GIF creation, such as animated GIFs, you may be better off ditching the mobile device and switching to a more powerful device. Then, you'll need a great video editing app or GIF maker to start creating.