To use a video as wallpaper on your iPhone, you'll need to convert the video into a Live Photo, as iPhones natively support Live Photos as animated wallpapers for the Lock Screen rather than direct video files. This process allows you to bring your favorite video clips to life every time you glance at your device.
Step-by-Step Guide: Turn Your Video into a Live Wallpaper
The key to having a video wallpaper on your iPhone is transforming your desired video clip into a Live Photo, which can then be set as your Lock Screen wallpaper.
Part 1: Convert Your Video to a Live Photo
Since iPhones don't directly support setting a video file as wallpaper, you'll use a third-party application to convert your video. This is a crucial step to enable the Live Photo functionality.
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Choose a Conversion App:
Several apps in the App Store specialize in converting videos to Live Photos. Popular options include:- IntoLive: A highly-rated app that offers various editing tools for Live Photo creation.
- Live Wallpapers for Me: Another app that provides a wide range of pre-made Live Wallpapers and conversion features.
- GIPHY: While primarily for GIFs, GIPHY allows you to convert short video clips into GIFs, which can then often be saved as Live Photos.
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Convert Your Video:
Follow these general steps within your chosen app:- Download and Open: Install your preferred app from the App Store.
- Select Video: Grant the app access to your Photos, then select the video you wish to convert.
- Trim and Edit (Optional): Most apps allow you to trim the video to a shorter segment (typically 5-30 seconds, with Live Photos usually animating for about 3-9 seconds). You might also find options to add filters or adjust speed.
- Convert to Live Photo: Look for an option like "Make Live Photo" or "Save as Live Photo." The app will then process your video. Once the conversion is complete, "your video has been converted to live photo and saved to your album," confirming it's now in your Photos app.
Part 2: Set the Live Photo as Your Lock Screen Wallpaper
Once your video has been successfully converted and saved as a Live Photo in your Photos app, you can easily set it as your wallpaper.
- Access Settings: Go to your iPhone's Settings app.
- Navigate to Wallpaper: Scroll down and tap on Wallpaper.
- Add New Wallpaper: Tap on Add New Wallpaper or Choose a New Wallpaper.
- Select Your Live Photo:
- Tap on Photos to browse your photo library.
- Locate the Live Photo you just created. It will typically be in your Recents album or a dedicated "Live Photos" album if the app created one.
- Activate Live Photo:
- On the preview screen, ensure the Live Photo icon (a circle with three concentric rings) at the bottom is activated (it should look bright, not crossed out). If it's greyed out, tap it to enable it.
- You can pinch to zoom or drag the Live Photo to position it as desired.
- Set as Wallpaper:
- Tap Add in the top right corner.
- Choose Set as Wallpaper Pair to apply it to both Lock Screen and Home Screen (though Live Photos only animate on the Lock Screen), or Customize Home Screen if you want to set a static image for the Home Screen separately.
- Important Note: The Live Photo will only animate on your Lock Screen when you press and hold down on the screen.
Important Considerations for Live Wallpapers
Before setting your video as a Live Wallpaper, keep these points in mind:
- Lock Screen Exclusive: Live Wallpapers only animate on the Lock Screen. They will appear as a static image on your Home Screen.
- Interaction Required: To see the Live Photo animate, you must press and hold firmly on your Lock Screen.
- Battery Consumption: While not a major drain, using Live Photos can consume slightly more battery compared to static wallpapers due to the animation.
- Video Length Limits: Apps generally have limits on how long a video can be to convert into a Live Photo (e.g., typically under 30 seconds for the source video, resulting in a 3-9 second Live Photo).
- Device Compatibility: Live Photos are supported on iPhone 6s and newer models. Older iPhones do not support this feature.
By following these steps, you can effectively use your favorite video clips to personalize your iPhone's Lock Screen with dynamic and engaging Live Wallpapers.
