How to create animated GIFs and movies using Google Photos

Say you have lots of photos on one particular occasion and want to create a funny endless loop or you went for a vacation with friends or a birthday bash and want to create a movie memory, Google Photos can help you.

If you haven’t used Google Photos till now, then you should seriously give it a try. It will make you forget about the default gallery app that comes shipped with your mobile OS. There are several factors why Google Photos makes your gallery app outdated—unlimited backups, killer search, album sharing, archive feature, incredible AI assistant in bringing out memories, just to name a few. Google Photos can help you create animated GIFs and movies in no time. Let’s us see how to do it:

Create animated GIFs using Google Photos

The steps are similar for the web version, Android, and iOS. To create animations:

1. Select the images you want by hovering and selecting the tick mark on the web version. On mobile apps, long tap to select the first image and then select other images.
2. Tap plus icon (+) in the top-right to open options.
3. Select Animation.

You can create GIFs offline. You cannot alter the speed of the animation.

Create movies using Google Photos

You cannot create movies on the web version. If you are using Android, make sure to check your device is in the supported devices list. Here is how to create movies:

1. Long tap to select the first image or video and then select other media you want to include.
2. Tap plus icon (+) in the top-right to open options.
3. Select Movie.

Tap to preview your created movie. You must be online to create movies. All the media selected are first uploaded before the movie is created.

Spice up your movie by editing

Android version outperforms iOS version since some features—title editing and changing themes—are missing in the latter one. On iOS, tap Edit to start editing. Let’s us see how to edit:

• Tap Untitled to add a title. You can also edit this later by again tapping.
• Tap the clapperboard icon in the bottom-left to open up Themes. Select the theme and preview. After selecting, tap tick icon to apply.
• To change music, tap the musical note icon in the bottom-middle. You can either choose from your stored music or select one from Theme music. There are a variety of moods to choose from. Once selected, tap the tick icon.
• To change the sequence, tap the filmstrip icon. Long tap a clip to re-arrange. You can also add and delete media here. Once done, select Save.

Same as GIFs, you cannot specify the play speed of media used in movies. After creating, you can share GIFs and movies to social networks. Note that, you can only add up to 50 items while creating GIFs and movies.