---
id: mac-storage-basics.why-are-there-mov-files-with-my-photos
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/why-are-there-mov-files-with-my-photos
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Photos, music and video"
question: "Why do imported photos come with short .MOV files?"
alt_questions:
  - "mov files next to jpg"
  - "live photo mov file"
  - "heic and mov pairs"
  - "delete mov files from live photos"
  - "small video files with photos"
short_answer: "They're the video halves of Live Photos, imported as a still plus a short .MOV with the same name. Delete the .MOV files if you only want stills."
tags: ["live photos", "mov", "import"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/do-live-photos-take-more-space", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-import-iphone-photos-straight-to-an-external-drive"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why do imported photos come with short .MOV files?

Those are the video parts of **Live Photos**. When you import photos as files (for example with Image Capture), each Live Photo arrives as a still image plus a short .MOV clip with the same name.

If you only want stills, you can delete the .MOV files — the photo remains, but it's no longer a Live Photo.