By default, the iPhone and iPad Camera apps will always reset Live Photo to automatic. If you prefer to keep Live Photo turned off it's necessary to go to Settings / Camera / Preserve Settings and turn on Live Photo. This will preserve the current Live Photo setting, rather than automatically resetting it to Automatic. Finally, in the Camera app, turn Live Photo off. If you decide to use Live Photo for a photo, it can still be turned on but if you want to return to shooting with Live Photo turned off, turn it off after you finish your Live Photo shoot and that setting will be preserved.
written 8 February 2026