What Is a Boomerang Video?
Boomerang videos are basically short looping clips that don’t last more than a few seconds. The ability to Boomerang videos was designed initially by Instagram and became wildly popular. Even if you’re not a user of the photo-centric app, there are many other apps available to make Boomerangs with. Most of them are not difficult to use, so it comes down to which apps have the best features.
1. Instagram and Boomerang
Creating a Boomerang using Instagram on mobile is super easy – you can do it in seconds. The same can be said for Boomerang, which is an independent app from Instagram that basically offers the same functionality outside of Instagram. With the Boomerang app, the process is the same (minus the first two steps), although you don’t have the option to add filters or any other kind of decoration to your clip – unless you import it to Instagram.
2. Facebook Messenger
Facebook owns Instagram, and the two are quite intertwined, so there’s no surprise that the former also offers a Boomerang option through its Messenger app for Android and iOS.
3. WhatsApp
Interestingly enough, you can create a quick Boomerang-like clip with WhatsApp as well. Here’s how to do it on Android and iOS.
4. Snapchat
Snapchat is another great app for creating Boomerangs from scratch. Here’s how to do that on your Android or IOS device. You can send the clip to individual users or have the app upload it as your Story.
5. TikTok
TikTok is a video-making app which has become increasingly popular in recent times. As you’d expect, the app can be used to create Boomerang-like mini clips.
6. Native Options on iPhone and Android
iPhone users can create Boomerang-like clips natively. It starts with the Live Photos option. Users can take these directly from the camera app with the Live Photos option turned on. Once you have a live photo, the next step is to go to your phone’s Photos app. View the pic in question and set it to Bounce, which basically turns it into a Boomerang. On Google’s Pixel devices, long-pressing the shutter button in the phone’s default camera app will result in live images. These can then be edited frame by frame using Google’s built-in tools.
7. Reverse Movie FX
Reverse Movie FX (Android | iOS) is an app which lets you create Boomerang clips from videos you already have stored on your device. Note that the app contains ads that pop up before and after you edit the video, but you can eliminate those with the Pro version for $2.49.
Creating a Boomerang Video
Choose Options for Your Clip
After a few seconds, you can watch your new video, then share it on social networks, including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
8. Funimate
Funimate is another app that allows you to create Boomerangs from scratch or edit larger videos to create mini clips. Here’s how to easily convert an older video to a mini clip. Funimate will automatically add a watermark to your clips. If you want to remove it, you will have to upgrade to the paid tier.
1. Can I create short videos by using a series of images?
Yes, you can. If you want to take this route instead, then check out our list of the best apps for creating a video from photos.
2. My phone can take burst photos. Can these be turned into a Boomerang?
They can with the help of apps like the ones in the list above. Shooting in Burst Mode allows your phone to take dozens of pictures at once, and you can use them to create a mini clip. Devices like iPhones and OnePlus phones can shoot in Burst Mode. If you often use this option, it may be helpful to know how to delete duplicate burst photos on an iPhone.
3. Can I use Boomerangs as wallpaper?
Sure you can. You’ll need an extra app for that, though. To get started, check out our article on how to create video wallpaper on Android.
Shooting Boomerangs can be super fun. If you like making videos as well as mini clips, then perhaps you’d like to get up to speed on how to crop or trim a video on Android and iPhone. Similarly, you may also be interested in our list of eight TikTok alternatives to create and share video.
