How to Use iPhone Live Mode (and Why Moms Should Keep It On)

Ever snapped a photo only to catch a mid-blink or a split-second after the giggle? If you’re a mom, you know how quickly those sweet little moments come and go. That’s exactly why you need to start using iPhone Live Mode.

Live Mode quietly captures a few extra seconds before and after you press the shutter—basically giving you a second chance at the perfect shot. And once you know how to use it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Watch the full tutorial here:

What Is Live Mode on the iPhone?

Live Mode is like a mini movie wrapped inside a photo. When it’s turned on, your iPhone captures 1.5 seconds before and after you press the shutter—giving you a short clip instead of a single still image.

Why does this matter? Because if your toddler giggles a second late or your kid blinks mid-shot, you can go back and choose a better frame after the photo was taken. Yep, seriously.

How to Turn on Live Mode

Turning it on is super easy:

1. Open your Camera app
2. Tap the Live Photo icon at the top (it looks like a bullseye)
3. Yellow = ON. White = OFF. That’s it!

Tip: Worried about storage? Don’t be. Live Photos are only slightly larger than regular photos and won’t eat up your phone’s memory nearly as much as videos.

Why Moms Should ALWAYS Have Live Mode On

Let’s face it: kids move. A lot. And if you’re like me, you don’t have time to stage a perfect photo shoot every time your child does something cute. Live Mode captures:

• Giggles
• Blurry bursts of excitement
• First steps
• Blowing out birthday candles
• Hilarious little mishaps

You’ll never miss the moment because it gives you a second shot—literally.

How to Choose the Best Frame from a Live Photo

This part is the real magic.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Photos app and find the Live Photo
2. Tap Edit
3. Tap the Live Photo icon (the one with the little timeline)
4. Scroll to find the best frame—maybe a smile, maybe a mid-giggle—and tap Make Key Photo
5. Tap Done and boom! That’s your new photo.

Bonus tip: You can also save your Live Photo as a short video or turn it into a GIF to easily share with grandparents, friends, or your Instagram stories.

Want Better iPhone Photos in General?

Grab my FREE iPhone Camera Settings Cheat Sheet

Make sure your iPhone is optimized to take the best possible photos with my quick-start guide. It’s short, simple, and mom-approved.

👉 Click here to download it!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wished you could freeze time—or at least back it up a few seconds—Live Mode is your new best friend. It’s one of the easiest ways to instantly level up your iPhone photography, especially if your subjects (like mine) never sit still.

So go turn it on, play around with it, and get ready to start capturing your family’s real-life magic.

Ready to see Live Mode in action?

Watch the full tutorial here → Watch now on YouTube

And don’t forget to download your cheat sheet so your iPhone camera is always ready for the good stuff. 

put a pin on it!