Record videos with your iPhone camera

Use Camera to record videos and QuickTake videos on your iPhone. Learn how to change modes to take Cinematic, slow-motion, and time-lapse videos.

Note: For your privacy, a green dot appears in the top-right corner of the screen when Camera is in use. See Control access to hardware features on iPhone.

Record a video

Open Camera, then select Video mode.
Tap the Record button or press either volume button to start recording. While recording, you can do the following:
- Press the white Shutter button to snap a still photo.
- Pinch the screen to zoom in and out.
- For a more precise zoom on models with Dual and Triple camera systems, touch and hold 1x, then drag the slider to the left.
Tap the Record button or press either volume button to stop recording.

By default, video records at 30 frames per second (fps). Depending on your model, you can choose other frame rates and video resolution settings in Settings > Camera > Record Video. Faster frame rates and higher resolutions result in larger video files.

Record a QuickTake video

On iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later, you can record a QuickTake video. A QuickTake video is a video you record in Photo mode. While you record a QuickTake video, you can move the Record button into the lock position and keep taking still photos.

Open Camera in Photo mode, then touch and hold the Shutter button to start recording a QuickTake video.
Slide the Shutter button to the right and let go over the lock for hands-free recording.
- Both the Record and Shutter buttons appear below the frame—tap the Shutter button to take a still photo while recording.
- Swipe up to zoom in on your subject, or if you’re recording hands-free, you can pinch out on the screen to zoom in.
Tap the Record button to stop recording.
Tip: Press and hold the volume up or volume down button to start recording a QuickTake video in Photo mode.

Tap the thumbnail to view the QuickTake video in the Photos app.

Record in Cinematic mode

Cinematic mode applies a depth-of-field effect that keeps the subject of your video sharp while creating a beautifully blurred foreground and background. iPhone automatically identifies the subject of the video and keeps it in focus throughout the recording; if a new subject is identified, iPhone automatically transitions the point of focus. You can also manually adjust the point of focus while you record, or change it later in the Photos app. Cinematic mode is available on all iPhone 13 models.

Open Camera, then select Cinematic mode.
On iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, you can tap 1x before recording to zoom in.
To adjust the depth-of-field effect, tap , then drag the slider left or right before recording.
Tap the Record button or press either volume button to start recording.
- A yellow frame on the screen indicates the person in focus; a gray frame indicates a person is detected, but not in focus. Tap the gray box to change the focus; tap again to lock the focus on that person.
- If there isn’t a person in the video, tap anywhere on the screen to set the focus point.
- Touch and hold the screen to lock the focus at a single distance.
Tap the Record button or press either volume button to stop recording.

After you record a video in Cinematic mode, you can remove or change the effect. See Edit Cinematic mode videos on your iPhone.

Record a slow-motion video

When you record a video in Slo-mo mode, your video records as normal and you see the slow-motion effect when you play it back. You can also edit your video so that the slow-motion action starts and stops at a specific time.

Open Camera, then select Slo-mo mode.
On iPhone 11 models, iPhone 12 models, and iPhone 13 models, you can tap to record in Slo-mo mode with the front camera.
Tap the Record button or press either volume button to start recording.
You can tap the Shutter button to take a still photo while recording.
Tap the Record button or press either volume button to stop recording.

To set a portion of the video to play in slow motion and the rest at regular speed, tap the video thumbnail, then tap Edit. Slide the vertical bars below the frame viewer to define the section you want to play back in slow motion.

Depending on your model, you can change the slow motion frame rate and resolution. To change slow-motion recording settings, go to Settings > Camera > Record Slo-mo.

Tip: Use quick toggles to adjust the video resolution and frame rate while you record. See Use quick toggles to change video resolution and frame rate.

Record a time-lapse video

Capture footage at selected intervals to create a time‑lapse video of an experience over a period of time—such as a setting sun or traffic flowing.

Open Camera, then select Time-lapse mode.
Set up your iPhone where you want to capture a scene in motion.
Tap the Record button to start recording; tap it again to stop recording.

Tip: On iPhone 12 models and later, use a tripod to capture time-lapse videos with more detail and brightness when recording in low-light situations.

Helpful?

iPhone User Guide