The MyHeritage app is proving to be a popular choice for TikTok users looking to create animated videos from still photos. Here's how to get started.

TikTok users have found a new app that lets them bring photos to life, sparking of a wave of videos showcasing the technology. In recent years, photography technology has evolved quickly with many AI and deep learning-based solutions providing users with a way to modernize photos. However, the MyHeritage app's latest feature not only modernizes images, but brings them to life as well.

Not only are smartphones improving in their ability to take photos to begin with, but many services and apps are becoming equally as good at manipulating photos. Often referred to as deepfakes, these manipulated pictures can at times, prove to be scarily realistic. In fact, some companies, including Facebook and Microsoft, have introduced solutions and tools to help fight deepfakes that could be too misleading. However, in the case of a new TikTok trend, the use of deepfakes is helping to bring memories and faces back to life.

The app proving popular with TikTok users right now is MyHeritage. This is another family history and DNA testing type app, but it's the company's new Deep Nostalgia feature that’s specifically driving app downloads. Deep Nostalgia offers the ability to animate faces in photos by turning a still image into a short animation. In doing so, bringing the photo to life right in front of the user. Since the feature launched, it has proven so successful, that MyHeritage released a blog post explaining more about how it works and its popularity. Those interested in giving Deep Nostalgia a try can check out some of the #myheritage videos to see what they can expect.

How To Use MyHeritage To Animate Photos

Before getting started, the MyHeritage app will need to be downloaded on either Android or iOS. Alternatively, images can also be animated via the MyHeritage website. Regardless of the route, the user will need to sign up for a free account. If using the app, the user can tap on the menu icon in the top left corner and select “Photos” from the list. If using the website, click on the “Family Tree” tab and then on “Animate Photos.” It is then simply a matter of uploading the image to be animated. Via the website, the system will automatically animate the photo once uploaded. However, if using the app, the photo will first need to be saved. The app user will then need to tap on the image to open it and then on the animate button (first icon in the top row) to start the process. After the photo has been animated, the user can then save it, download it, and upload it to TikTok.

The new Deep Nostalgia feature from MyHeritage is a great option for anyone looking to bring photos back to life, whether it's loved ones who might not be here or famous people from the past. However, it is worth keeping in mind that this is a third-party app and there has been some concern over the data collected (and how it is used) by family history and DNA companies. Not to mention, MyHeritage only offers a limited free account, so TikTok users will need to upgrade to a paid account if they want to continue to bring photos to life in the future.

Next: Deepfake Tech Lets Companies Use You In Commercials

Source: MyHeritage, TikTok