Record a video take

Switch to VIDEO and press the shutter. A take records what the viewfinder shows, as HEVC up to 1920 pixels on the long edge, at 30 frames a second or 24 when the phone runs hot, for up to 10 minutes.

1. Tap VIDEO above the shutter.
2. For sound, tap the microphone button beside the shutter. It is off until you turn it on, and the first time iOS asks for permission.
3. Press the shutter. A red tally counts the time.
4. Press again to stop. The take is filed in Shots.

What the file holds

A take is the composed frame, the way the viewfinder shows it: the letterbox, frame lines, look, figures and info strip are recorded into the picture. It is HEVC, up to 1920 pixels on the long edge, with mono sound when the microphone is on. A take stops and saves by itself at 10 minutes.

The camera and lens live in the burned-in strip and in the app's shot record. The movie file itself carries only its creation date. Saved to Photos, a take gets its date and place on the Photos item.

Running hot

When the phone gets warm, the camera drops to 24 frames a second and stays there until it cools. A take caught by the change keeps its length with fewer frames. If it gets hotter, the capsule under the top strip says "Running hot. The camera may pause soon." Stop the take and let the phone cool in the shade. If the camera does pause, the viewfinder says "The camera paused to cool down."

Space and crashes

Before a take starts, Viewfinder checks for room and says how much it needs if there is not enough. During a take it stops and saves before the device fills, and says "Recording stopped early": the take is kept, up to that moment. A take is written in two-second pieces, so if the app or the phone stops mid-take, the next launch files it, up to two seconds short.

If that didn't work

• Microphone not allowed: Viewfinder has no permission for the microphone, so the button stayed off. Allow it in the iPhone's Settings app, under Viewfinder.
• Recording without sound: the microphone could not be used, for example because another app holds it. The take goes on recording, silent.
• The previous recording is still being written: wait a moment for the last take to save.

Related

Updated November 2, 2026