New Feature Spotted! Convert Motion Photos to Videos Before Posting on Maps

Google Maps tips & tricks
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Hello fellow Local Guides!

I just came across a very useful new feature while uploading photos to Google Maps that I wanted to share right away. This will definitely help us make our contributions even better and more dynamic!

Feature: Turning Motion Photos into Videos

When selecting photos for a contribution, you might see a new pop-up (like the one in my screenshot below) that says: “Turn motion photos into videos.”

This feature allows you to automatically convert the short motion sequence captured by your phone (the few seconds of video saved with certain photos) into a standard, short video clip.

How It Works:

If you have a motion photo in your gallery (often called as Motion Photos on Google Pixel):

  1. Select the motion photo to add it to your post.
  2. A small video icon with a ‘play’ symbol will appear on the top-left corner of the thumbnail.
  3. Tap the icon to instantly convert that short motion sequence into a video contribution instead of a static photo.

Screenshot_20251021-115539
Screenshot_20251021-115539864×1920 144 KB

Very Useful for Local Guides:

This is a fantastic update because it means we can easily share more engaging content without needing a separate video editing app:

More Engaging Content: From my recent experiences, I believe these short videos tend to capture more attention than static photos.

Context in a Clip: Sometimes, these short video clips show the context, such as the atmosphere of a busy restaurant etc.,

Efficiency: It saves time by using content you’ve already captured, turning a quick photo into a valuable video contribution in a single tap.

Keep an eye out for this pop-up next time you’re posting! If you see it, try it out and let us know what you think. Has anyone else noticed this update?

Keep mapping and posting! :globe_showing_europe_africa:

19 Likes
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Hi @palmad1

Interesting.

Please share an example (link).

This ties into the topic of this post shared by @abermans.

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This looks like an exciting feature @palmad1
Thanks for highlighting :+1:
Though motion picture is a new concept to me :slightly_smiling_face:

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Oh wow that’s a really cool feature, would try it out very soon. Thanks @palmad1

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Baah @palmad1 ji…that’s a new matter to me….

Thanks for sharing it….

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Thanks for the update @palmad1. Someone else wrote about this a few weeks ago and I’ve benefited from it on a few occasions already. I had to go into my Camera Settings to switch the Motion Photo feature on. I’m still trying to understand why it doesn’t work sometimes, and if there’s any way to direct what the video extracted from the Motion Photo will look like. Sometimes it is insignificant, and not something I’d like to upload.

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Thank you, @MortenCopenhagen :blush:

Example Google Maps link below:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RjcjeZu3uEXpR7wf9?g_st=ac

I uploaded another one recently for the below POI, but it didn’t get published for almost 2 weeks, so I deleted it.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qdfeRB1LRdxTJXHV9

Thanks for sharing this post. I will go through it. Looks like it is a detailed one.

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Thanks for the example.

I noticed there is some audio in the sample video.

I was hoping for something more interesting. No movement or action in the video except some flashing lights in the background. Not your fault.

Cheers

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Thank you, @palmad1, for sharing this with everyone. It seems like a useful feature. I’m excited to give it a try.

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Thank you for your appreciation, dear @TusharSuradkar . I just observed this pop up that day, so thought of sharing this new feature from Maps.

I can understand :blush:

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Thank you, @Ssiddharth2000 . :blush:
Yes, it’s a cool feature.

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Thank you, @mahatokoushik623 . You might get it very soon. Please check if you have the latest updates.

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Thanks for sharing your experience on converting motion photos to videos, @tony_b . I can understand how you feel as I had similar experience a few times, as I mentioned to Morten in my previous response.

But, this is about Maps new feature, where it’s prompting the user to upload the photo as a video by detecting it as a motion photo.

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Thanks for letting me know, @MortenCopenhagen . I truly appreciate it.
I’m still exploring this.

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Thank you, @PrasadVR for your kind appreciation. Yes, it’s an interesting feature :+1::blush:

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Okay. So this is not the feature where we extract the video from the motion photo.?? You’re now being prompted by Maps to upload the motion photo and it will act like a video?? Is that what you’re saying? If so, I haven’t had a prompt like that.

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Yes, that’s correct, @tony_b! The prompt is now appearing to upload the motion photo as a short video clip.

This feature appears to be rolling out to users gradually, which would explain why not everyone is seeing it yet.

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@MortenCopenhagen I need to check it.

Glad Google also supports my opinion that motion videos are not bad contributions!

Still, as explained in my post, I tend to at least review them and put basic edits before uploading.

Quick crop, extra stability maybe mute video depending on what was capture which does not help.

At least maybe I can get some more video views partners in crime. I am starting to feel like herve… lonely at the top of that leaderboard.

1 Like