On iPhone, use Photos → Select → Share → Slideshow; on Mac, pick items in Photos, then File → Create → Slideshow to build and play.
Want a quick way to turn favorite pictures into a polished show with music and smooth transitions? The Photos app on iPhone and Mac can do it in minutes, and it also gives you fine control when you need it. This guide walks you through the fast route for a same-day share, plus the deeper project tools for custom timing, song choice, and export quality. You’ll learn reliable steps, smart arrangement tricks, and fixes for common hiccups so your photo story looks clean on any screen.
Create Photo Slideshows On iPhone And Mac: Step-By-Step
iPhone: Quick Method In Photos
- Open Photos → go to an album, a date range in Library, or a custom Folder.
- Tap Select → choose pictures (add clips too if you like).
- Tap the Share button → choose Slideshow. Playback starts right away.
- Tap the screen → Options to pick a theme, song, repeat, and slide speed.
- AirPlay or play full screen. To save a video version, use Done → Save Video if shown, or use the project route below.
Mac: Fast Method In Photos
- Open Photos → browse Library or any album.
- Select pictures (hold Command to multi-select).
- Choose File → Create → Slideshow → Photos builds a slideshow with default theme and music.
- Use the controls to change theme, song, and timing; press Play.
Mac: Build A Named Project
- With items selected, choose File → Create → Slideshow → New Slideshow.
- Give it a name → click OK. A project appears in the sidebar.
- Drag pictures to reorder; drop more items in at any time.
- Use the sidebar to set theme, music, and slide duration; preview often.
- When it looks right, click Export to save as a video file.
Quick Controls At A Glance
| Action | iPhone (Photos) | Mac (Photos) |
|---|---|---|
| Start Playback Fast | Select → Share → Slideshow | File → Create → Slideshow |
| Change Theme | Tap screen → Options → Theme | Project sidebar → Themes |
| Pick Music | Options → Music | Project sidebar → Music |
| Slide Speed | Options → Speed | Project sidebar → Duration |
| Order Pictures | Add to an album, then reorder | Drag in the project strip |
| Save Video | Done → Save Video (when offered) | Export → Movie file |
Add, Remove, And Arrange Pictures
Clean order is the difference between a pleasant show and a jumble. On iPhone, create an album first, add your picks, then set the order inside that album. That order carries into the instant slideshow. On Mac, the project view gives you a strip of tiles you can drag left or right. Group scenes by place or time, and open with a strong picture that sets the tone. Close with a simple, bright shot for a crisp finish.
- Add more pictures fast: On iPhone, tap … in an album → Add Photos. On Mac, drag from the Library into the project.
- Remove in one tap: On iPhone, long-press a picture in the album → Remove from Album. On Mac, select a tile → press Delete (removes from the project only).
- Use Favorites for speed: Mark key shots with the heart icon, then build from the Favorites album.
Use Live Photos, Panoramas, And Video Clips
Mixed media adds flow. Live Photos can bring subtle motion; clips fill gaps between stills. Keep a steady rhythm by limiting long videos—short bursts work best for a picture-led show.
- Live Photos: Keep motion on for a touch of movement, or convert to a still for a quieter sequence.
- Panoramas: Place them between two simple shots. A slow pan in the theme creates a smooth bridge.
- Clips: Trim on iPhone in Photos before adding, or trim on Mac inside the project timeline.
Music, Themes, And Duration
Music sets the mood. Themes handle transitions and text styling. Duration controls pacing. Test a few combinations to match the story—quiet family shots pair well with gentle tracks; a travel recap can carry a brighter beat. For official step-by-step menus and theme names, see the Photos user guide for iPhone and the Photos guide for Mac.
Pick A Theme That Fits
Each theme bundles transitions, title text, and motion. Try two or three, then watch the first minute of playback. If motion feels busy, switch to a calmer style. If text covers faces, pick a theme with lower-third titles or disable titles entirely.
Choose A Song Legally
You can use built-in options, add tracks from your library, or keep it silent. For public posts, use music you have the rights to share, or stick to the built-in catalog. On Mac, you can also drop in a track you created in GarageBand for a clean, rights-safe score.
Dial In Slide Speed
A good starting point is 3–4 seconds per picture with brief transitions. Tight family albums can sit at 2–3 seconds. If you added longer clips, give stills a bit more time so the show breathes between motion segments.
Export Or Share Your Slideshow
When the show feels ready, save a video file to share anywhere. On iPhone, the instant method plays on the spot; you can mirror to TV with AirPlay or save a video when the option appears. For regular file export, build a project on Mac, then create a movie file with your chosen size.
iPhone: Share To TV Or Save
- While it plays, tap the screen → pick AirPlay and choose a display on the same network.
- To save a file, switch to a project workflow and export from a Mac, or use apps that record the show while it plays.
Mac: Export A Movie File
- Open the slideshow project → click Export.
- Pick size (1080p suits TV and web; 4K matches modern displays).
- Choose a file name and location → Save. Test the file before sending.
Export Choices And When To Use
| Choice | Best Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | TV, social, email | Balanced size and clarity |
| 4K | Large screens, archiving | Bigger file, crisp detail |
| AirPlay | Quick living-room viewing | No file needed; same network |
Text, Titles, And Captions
Short text can help with context—trip names, dates, or names at a reunion. Themes handle title cards; keep wording short to avoid covering faces. If you need longer explanations, add text to the picture itself in the Edit view before you build the show. That gives you precise placement so nothing overlaps during transitions.
Smart Selection: Pick Fewer, Better Shots
For a tight show, start with 40–60 pictures for a three-minute run. Use bursts sparingly; keep one winner from each burst. In a travel set, group by city or day, then choose one opener, two mids, and one closer per segment. If a picture repeats a scene with lower clarity, drop it. Quality beats volume.
Keep Faces Bright And Framing Clean
Open each key picture and check exposure. If faces look dim, use the Light slider to lift midtones a touch. Straighten tilted horizons, crop clutter at the edges, and remove red-eye before building the show. Small tweaks add up to a cleaner run without heavy editing.
Common Problems And Easy Fixes
- Slideshow option missing on iPhone: Switch to an album or to the Days view. The button appears after you select items.
- Video export not shown: Use a named project on Mac. The instant method plays only.
- Music doesn’t play: Try a different track or a built-in song. Check volume, mute switch, and Do Not Disturb.
- Playback stutters on TV: Use AirPlay with strong Wi-Fi or export a file and play from the TV’s media app.
- Wrong order on iPhone slideshow: Build an album and set the order there; the instant method follows that order.
- Duplicates: Use Albums → Duplicates on iPhone or Mac to merge extra copies before you start.
- Items missing on one device: Wait for iCloud Photos to finish syncing, or download originals before export.
Back Up Your Finished File
Keep a master copy on your Mac in a dedicated folder for projects, then add a copy to cloud storage. If you plan a yearly family show, create a folder per year and store the exported movie with the month and event in the name. Consistent naming helps when you return to update or remix later.
Privacy And Copyright Basics
Get permission before you share pictures that feature other people, and use music you have the right to include. If you plan to post to a public site, choose tracks from your own library that you can legally share or pick built-in options in the app. When in doubt, keep a version without audio and add a rights-safe track later during editing.
Advanced: Build A Version For Each Screen
A vertical version helps on phones; a widescreen version suits TV. On Mac, export two files: 1080p for general sharing and 4K for a home theater. If you captured mixed orientations, give portrait pictures a little more time on screen so viewers can take them in. When you need a vertical cut for social, trim in a video editor after export and center the main subject.
Advanced: Color, Pace, And Story Flow
Keep bright scenes near the start; move darker sets to the middle where eyes have settled. Alternate wide shots with close-ups to avoid repetition. Add a brief pause on a key moment by increasing slide duration by a second or two. Hold the last picture for a beat before the music ends, then fade to black for a neat close.
Recap: Fast Path Versus Project Path
Use the instant method when you need quick playback from a handful of picks. Switch to a named project when you want saved settings, precise order, and a sharable movie file. Both routes live in the same app, so you can start fast, then graduate to a project for a polished export without starting over.
With a tidy source album, a fitting theme, and the right export size, your pictures turn into a clean story that plays smoothly on a phone, TV, or laptop. Pick the fast route for a quick share tonight, or build a named project for a keepsake you can revisit any time.