HEIC to MP4: How to Convert Live Photos to Video
Searching for "HEIC to MP4" almost always means one thing: you have an iPhone Live Photo and you want it as a normal video file. Here's the quick background and every way to do the conversion — on the iPhone itself, on a Mac, and on Windows.
Why would a photo become a video?
A HEIC file is a still image — converting it to MP4 doesn't make sense for a normal photo (you'd get a one-frame video). But Live Photos are special: your iPhone records 1.5 seconds of video before and after you press the shutter. That motion is stored alongside the still image. When people want "HEIC to MP4," they want that 3-second clip as a real video they can share anywhere.
If what you actually need is a still image in a compatible format, you want HEIC to JPG instead.
Method 1: Save as video directly on iPhone (iOS 13+)
The built-in way, no apps:
- Open the Live Photo in the Photos app.
- Tap the Share button.
- Scroll down and tap Save as Video.
iOS creates a new MP4-compatible video (technically .MOV, playable everywhere) in your library. This preserves the motion and sound.
Don't see "Save as Video"? Make sure the photo is actually a Live Photo (the "LIVE" badge appears top-left when viewing it) and that it hasn't been shared to you as a still.
Method 2: Convert multiple Live Photos at once (iPhone)
- In Photos, go to Albums → Media Types → Live Photos.
- Tap Select and choose the ones you want.
- Tap Share → Save as Video.
iOS batch-converts them into one video per photo (on recent iOS versions this appears for multi-select; on older versions convert one by one).
Method 3: On a Mac
Live Photos synced via iCloud open in the Photos app on macOS:
- Right-click the Live Photo → Export → Export Unmodified Original.
- You'll get two files: the HEIC still and a .MOV file with the motion.
- The .MOV plays everywhere; convert it to MP4 with QuickTime (File → Export As) if a service specifically requires .mp4.
Method 4: On Windows
When you transfer iPhone photos to a PC by cable, Live Photos arrive as pairs: IMG_1234.HEIC (the still) plus IMG_1234.MOV (the motion clip). The video half is already there:
- Import your photos (Photos app or File Explorer).
- Sort the folder by name — each Live Photo has a matching .MOV.
- Use the .MOV directly, or convert it to MP4 with any video tool (VLC does it free: Media → Convert/Save).
If you only see the HEIC halves, your transfer settings converted or skipped the videos — set Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Keep Originals on the iPhone and re-import.
What about the still image half?
However you extract the video, you'll often want the still frame in a universal format too:
- Convert single photos with the free in-browser HEIC to JPG converter — nothing gets uploaded, everything runs locally.
- Convert whole folders with the batch converter.
- Need lossless? Use HEIC to PNG.
FAQ
Can I convert a normal (non-Live) HEIC photo to MP4?
Technically some tools will wrap a still image into a video track, but the result is a static one-frame clip — rarely what anyone wants. For normal photos, convert to JPG or PNG.
Does "Save as Video" keep the sound?
Yes — Live Photos record audio, and the exported video includes it.
Why did my Live Photo arrive as just a HEIC file?
Sharing methods like email, WhatsApp, or "Automatic" transfer mode often strip the motion and send only the still. Use AirDrop, iCloud, or cable transfer with Keep Originals to preserve the video half.
Is MOV the same as MP4?
Not identical, but for Live Photo clips they're interchangeable in practice — both use H.264/HEVC video and play on all modern devices. If a website insists on .mp4, a quick re-container in VLC or QuickTime fixes it without quality loss.
What is a HEIC file exactly?
Apple's high-efficiency photo format, used since iOS 11. Full explanation: What is a HEIC file?