Once you get the hang of these settings, your iPhone films will appear even better.
Although the videos that your iPhone can capture seem fantastic right out of the box, you can achieve greater quality by adjusting a few camera settings. These are all the iPhone camera settings that you should adjust immediately, regardless of your level of experience.
1. Change Your Video Resolution and Frame Rate
Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then select Camera > Record Video. You’ll see multiple combinations of various frame rates and video quality settings on the next screen. Make sure to select 4K at 60 frames per second if you want to record at the maximum resolution possible.
But bear in mind that each video will take up more storage space the higher the resolution you select. Cinematic and slo-mo videos also allow you to adjust the video resolution. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to change the resolution settings for those video modes as well if you frequently use them.
Directly from the Camera app, you can also change the video’s frame rate and resolution. To change the resolution, enter video mode and tap the HD or 4K option in the upper-right corner. Additionally, you can tap the FPS value next to it to change the frame rate.
Additionally, under Camera > Record Video, there is an Auto FPS setting. Your iPhone will automatically drop to 24 frames per second (FPS) when this is turned on in order to enhance low-light footage. It may be set to record at both 30 and 60 frames per second, however by default it only works with 30 frames per second.
2. Use Action Mode
When you revisit a video you took of your favorite musician singing at a concert and see your hands were trembling the entire time, it’s the worst feeling ever. This is where the iPhone 14 and later versions’ Action mode function really shines. It’s a special setting that can lessen your films’ shakiness.
Here is a video I shot with Action mode enabled to show you the difference:
And this is a video that I took while disabling Action mode. See how the video becomes progressively shakier while I’m not even running?
Go to the iPhone’s Camera app and select Video mode to activate Action mode. There will be an Action Mode icon that resembles a running human. The icon will glow yellow when you tap it, and an Action mode banner will show up at the top of the screen.
For the maximum benefit of Action mode, you should be in a well-lit environment. In the event that it doesn’t, a “More light required” notice can show up.
3. Ensure Enhanced Stabilization Is Enabled
We advise turning on Enhanced Stabilization while you’re at it. Enhanced Stabilization is compatible with the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and later models, just as Action Mode. This function slightly crops the edges of your footage and zooms in. This functionality functions in Cinematic mode as well, unlike Action Mode.
Here’s a video I took while using Enhanced Stabilization to show you the difference:
I recorded this video without using Enhanced Stabilization. When the camera moves, you can see that the first film has smoother motion while the second seems more erratic.
Although Enhanced Stabilization is enabled by default, it’s possible that you inadvertently turned it off while tinkering with your settings. Make sure that Enhanced Stabilization is on by going to Settings > Camera > Record Video.
4. Use Apple ProRes
We advise turning on ProRes if you wish to utilize your Apple device to record clips with amazing detail and you own an iPhone 13 Pro or newer Pro model.
A “visually lossless” and comparatively easier-to-edit recording format is Apple ProRes. If all you do is record videos for Instagram or TikTok, you won’t find this function very helpful, but if you’re a cinematographer or an aspiring YouTube content maker, it will be invaluable.
Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and flip the switch next to Apple ProRes in the Video Capture section to enable ProRes.
Navigate to the Camera app on your iPhone and select the Video option. Lastly, press the top-mounted ProRes toggle. Though you can definitely record videos with considerably greater clarity using this recording format, ProRes videos are about 30 times larger than HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) files. Thus, confirm that your iPhone has enough free space.
5. Enable the Grid and Level Tools
According to the photographic rule of thirds, divide your image using two vertical and two horizontal lines into a grid of nine equal sections. To produce a balanced composition, the primary subjects or areas of interest are then positioned along these lines or at their intersections.
Camera grid lines can make it simple for you to apply the rule of thirds, regardless of your level of experience. Toggle the switch next to Grid under Composition in Settings > Camera to enable grid lines on your iPhone.
With iOS 17, Apple also added a leveling tool to help you align your iPhone photos. Toggle the switch next to Level in Settings > Camera to activate the Level tool in the Camera app on your iPhone.
6. Disable HDR Video
When the weather is perfect, Dolby Vision HDR (High Dynamic Range) is used by default on the iPhone 12 and subsequent generations. However, if the filming circumstances aren’t perfect, leaving HDR mode enabled occasionally results in recordings that appear jerky and overly saturated.
I’ve included a video that I shot with HDR enabled to help you notice the differences:
I recorded the following video without using HDR:
Therefore, you’re better off removing it if you want a more uniform color scheme and a more natural vibe for your videos. All you have to do is turn off the HDR Video setting by going to Settings > Camera > Record Video.
7. Enable Macro Control
Macro Control, one of the most amazing features of the newer iPhones, enables users to take amazing pictures of objects as close as two millimeters away. I recorded the following video with Macro Control enabled:
Sadly, Macro Control is only available on the iPhone 13 Pro and subsequent Pro models. Therefore, make sure Macro Control is turned on in Settings > Camera if you want to shoot close-up photos.
Next, launch the Camera app and bring the iPhone’s camera up near to the object of interest. Your iPhone’s camera will instantly change to the ultra-wide lens when you do this. A yellow flower icon will also be visible when Macro Control is turned on. Just tap the flower icon to turn off automatic macro switching.
Although you don’t need to do anything to capture movies with high detail on your iPhone, you may make your footage stand out by adjusting these settings, especially if you’re shooting in less-than-ideal conditions.