YouTube launches a feature that converts images into videos for Shorts

YouTube has just launched a new tool that transforms any photo from your gallery into dynamic videos optimized for Shorts. For now, “Photo to Video” is available free of charge only in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but it will expand to more regions by the end of 2025, according to information provided by the company.

How “Photo to Video” Works

The new feature is very easy to use. You only need to select a photo from your gallery, choose a creative suggestion, and voilà—your image is instantly transformed into a dynamic video. For example, you can add movement to landscape photos, animate everyday moments, or bring group photos to life.

To achieve this, YouTube has integrated new generative effects into its platform, such as effects that make it appear as though you are swimming underwater alongside your twin, or even effects that create movement from your drawings.

These new functionalities utilize the Veo 2 technology, although YouTube has already announced that in the coming months, it will integrate the new version, Veo 3, in order to further enhance the creation experience.

AI Playground: the platform for AI-powered creation tools

As part of this evolution, YouTube also introduced AI Playground, a dedicated space for creation using artificial intelligence, where users can access tools to generate videos, images, music, and much more. The goal is to provide inspiration and resources so that creators can develop original and engaging content.

This area also offers predefined suggestions to facilitate instant content creation, and can be accessed through the Shorts camera creation button within the YouTube mobile app.

How to create a Short from a photo

If you are located in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or you are using a VPN, these are the steps you should follow to try the new “Photo to Video” feature:

1. Open the YouTube application on your mobile device.
2. Tap the creation button (+) located at the bottom of the screen.
3. In the media menu, tap “Add” at the bottom left to select an image from your gallery. If you have not yet provided YouTube with access to your photos, the system will request your permission.
4. Select the image you wish to convert into a video.
5. At the top of the screen, choose “Photo to video” and select one of the creative suggestions offered by YouTube.
6. Tap “Create video” and adjust the video settings, such as the description, clip duration, privacy, and more.
7. Upload your new Short and share it with the world 😎.

Google Photos will also allow images to be converted into videos

In addition to YouTube’s update, the company has announced that Google Photos has incorporated a similar function that converts photos and illustrations into videos of six seconds featuring subtle movements.

You only need to select the image, choose between two animation options: “Subtle movements” or “I’m feeling lucky,” and your photo will come to life. This tool is available only in the United States for Android and iOS.

Another new feature introduced by Google is Remix (which will be available in the United States in the coming weeks for Android and iOS), an option that allows you to transform your photos into illustrations, comics, 3D animations, and more.

To facilitate access to these creative tools, Google Photos has incorporated a “Create” tab, where you will find all available features. This space will be regularly updated to add new tools and enhance the user experience.

All creations will include an invisible digital watermark with SynthID.

Both of these new features—the one from YouTube and the one from Google Photos—complement the Gemini functionality that converts images into eight-second videos.

Photo: Google