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In Google Photos, an Animation is a quick-moving GIF you create from selected photos and videos. A motion photo is captured by a camera and contains additional shots around the main image. Use Animation to assemble media into a GIF; use a motion photo’s shots to choose a still frame from a capture.
How Animations and motion photos differ
| Feature | Animation | Motion photo |
|---|---|---|
| Where it comes from | Created in Google Photos from photos and videos you select. | Captured by a camera as a photo with additional shots. |
| What you do with it | Combine selected media into a quick-moving GIF. | Browse shots in the photo and save a chosen shot as a separate still copy. |
| Documented Android steps | Create → Animation → select media → Create. | Open the photo → swipe up → Shots in this photo → select a shot → Save as copy. |
| Speed adjustment | Google says the Animation workflow does not let you speed up or slow down the result. | Speed controls are not described in Google’s cited instructions. |
Google describes Animations as “A quick-moving GIF of selected photos and videos.” The distinction is the source: an Animation is assembled from selected media, while a motion photo originates at capture. See Google Photos Help: Create and edit collages and animations and Google Photos Help: Edit your photos.
Make an Animation in Google Photos on Android
- Open the Google Photos app and tap Create.
- Choose Animation.
- Select the photos and/or videos you want to include.
- Tap Create to make the Animation.
Google’s documented workflow does not include a control for changing the Animation’s speed. Menu names and availability can vary across app versions and platforms; these steps are for Android.
Save a still shot from a motion photo on Android
- Open the motion photo in Google Photos.
- Swipe up, then tap Shots in this photo.
- Browse the available shots and choose the one you want.
- Tap Save as copy. Google says the saved frame appears beside the original.
This creates a separate still copy; it does not turn the motion photo into an Animation.
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How Photo to video differs from both
Photo to video is a separate Google Photos creation tool: it applies generated motion to a single still image and produces a short video. It is not a motion photo captured by a camera, nor an Animation assembled from selected photos or videos. Google introduced the Create tab and Photo to video in a 2025 company blog post: Google Photos’ new Create tab. Availability and interface details may change, so check the current app for its controls.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you use?
- Choose Animation when you want a quick-moving GIF made from a selection of existing photos or videos.
- Use Shots in this photo when you want to pick and save a still frame from a motion photo you already captured.
- Choose Photo to video when you want Google Photos to add generated motion to one still image and produce a short video.
Google’s cited instructions document the Animation and motion-photo workflows on Android. They do not establish a universal motion-photo duration, frame rate, file format, or cross-brand compatibility rule, so those details should not be assumed for every camera or Photos client.
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