WhatsApp Motion Photos: Why this matters?
Motion photos (a.k.a. “live” or “moving” photos) keep the tiny moments — the few seconds of movement and ambient sound — before and after a still image.
That makes chats feel more natural and expressive than static photos or short video clips. Early reports show WhatsApp is rolling the feature out to select beta testers now; a wider rollout should follow.
What are motion photos
Motion photos capture a short clip (usually 1–3 seconds) with audio around the moment you press the shutter, then save a still frame plus that clip together.
Phones call them different names: Samsung = Motion Photo, Google Pixel = Top Shot / Motion Photos, iPhone = Live Photo.
WhatsApp is now adding native support so you can send that combined file without converting it to video first.
Why prefer motion photos to GIFs or videos?
Smaller file size than a video of the same length.
Keeps high-quality still + context.
Plays inline with sound (depending on recipient device/settings).
How WhatsApp implements motion photos (how it works)
Beta version: Android 2.25.22.29 distributed via Google Play Beta; visible to select testers as of early August 2025.
From the gallery or WhatsApp’s picker, compatible motion photos show a motion icon on the thumbnail; you can choose to send them as “dynamic” (motion + audio) or convert to a still before sending.
When received, the thumbnail shows a small motion badge so users know it’s a motion photo. Playback behavior may depend on recipient device and app version.
Device compatibility & practical tips
Works with motion photo formats captured on compatible Android devices (Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, some other OEMs). Pixel users may need to disable certain camera modes (e.g., 50MP high-res) to enable Top Shot/Motion Photo capture.
iPhone: iPhone’s Live Photos have historically required conversion to video/GIF for reliable sharing; WhatsApp’s new Android support does not automatically mean iPhone-to-Android playback parity — expect mixed behavior until iOS gets a matching implementation.
Step-by-step: How to send a motion photo on WhatsApp (Android beta)
(If you’re a beta tester on v2.25.22.29+ — otherwise these options may not show.)
Open WhatsApp and start a chat.
Tap the attach / gallery icon and pick a photo that has motion data. You should see a motion icon on the thumbnail.
Tap the photo to open the editor — you’ll get a toggle to send dynamic (motion) or as still. Choose dynamic to include micro-video + audio.
Send. On recipients’ chats, the thumbnail will show a motion badge; playback depends on their device/app version.
Extra tip 😊: If your phone’s camera app uses a special high-res mode (e.g., 50MP), disable that to make the phone capture the motion photo option (reported on some Pixel builds).
Troubleshooting & FAQs (short answers)
Motion photo won’t play for recipient: They likely need a newer WhatsApp version or their device may not support the motion format; ask them to update WhatsApp.
How big are motion photos? Typically larger than stills but smaller than full videos — they’re optimized to preserve a still plus a short clip. Exact size varies by phone and clip length.
Privacy: Motion photos capture ambient audio; treat them like short videos — get consent before sharing private conversations. (Good practice.)
If you don’t want motion: Convert to still within the editor before sending.
Rollout timeline & expectations
As of reporting in August 2025, the feature is in Google Play Beta v2.25.22.29 and visible to select beta users; major rollouts typically follow testing, so expect incremental availability to stable users over the next weeks.
Keep your WhatsApp app updated and monitor official channels for the public release.
People Also Ask
What are motion photos on WhatsApp?
Motion photos are short moving images that include a small video and audio captured around a still shot; WhatsApp’s beta now lets Android users send them directly.
How do I send a motion photo on WhatsApp?
In the Android beta (v2.25.22.29), choose a motion photo from the gallery, toggle “send dynamic” in the editor, then send — or convert to still first.
Will motion photos play on iPhone if sent from Android?
Not always — playback depends on the recipient’s app and device.
Historically, iPhone Live Photos needed conversion for universal sharing; expect mixed results until iOS gets matching support.
When will motion photos reach my WhatsApp?
Beta users are seeing it now (Aug 2025); public rollout usually follows in stages — watch for updates in the Play Store and WhatsApp changelog.
Can I disable automatic playback of motion photos?
WhatsApp playback behavior can depend on app settings and OS; if auto playback is an issue, convert to stills before sending or ask recipients to mute media autoplay in their app/device settings if available.
Do motion photos use more data?
Yes, slightly more than a still image. They’re smaller than a video but larger than a still — keep that in mind on metered mobile data.
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