How to Record Spatial Video on iPhone 15 Pro

Spatial video on the iPhone 15 Pro lets you capture 3D-like footage that plays back with depth on Apple Vision Pro. This guide walks you through the exact steps to enable and record spatial video, what settings to use, and how to fix common issues.

What You’ll Need

iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max (spatial video is not available on other models)
iOS 17.2 or later (check Settings > General > Software Update)
At least 130MB of free storage for every minute of video (spatial video files are large)
Apple Vision Pro (only needed for playback; recording works without it)

Step-by-Step

Update iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Spatial video requires iOS 17.2 or newer.
Open the Camera app. Tap the Camera icon on your Home Screen or lock screen.
Switch to Video mode. Swipe left or right on the camera mode selector until “Video” is highlighted. Do not use Photo, Portrait, or Cinematic modes.
Enable spatial video. Look for the small “Spatial” icon (a rectangle with a dot inside) near the top of the viewfinder, next to the resolution controls. Tap it. The icon will turn yellow and the message “Spatial Video” appears at the top of the screen.
Keep the phone steady and horizontal. Spatial video works best when the phone is in landscape orientation. Hold it with both hands, keeping the camera level.
Press the record button. Tap the red record button (or press either volume button) to start recording. A yellow frame appears around the viewfinder while recording.
Record for at least a few seconds. Spatial video requires a minimum recording time of about 3 seconds to be saved properly. For best results, record longer clips (10+ seconds).
Stop recording. Tap the red stop button or press the volume button again. The video is saved to your Photos app in the “Spatial” album.
Play it back. On your iPhone, the video plays as a normal 2D video. To see the 3D depth effect, you need an Apple Vision Pro. You can also view it on any device that supports spatial video playback, like a Meta Quest 3 via the Meta Quest app.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong camera mode. Spatial video only works in Video mode. If you try to record in Cinematic or Slo-mo, the spatial option is grayed out.
Holding the phone vertically. Spatial video is designed for landscape orientation. Recording in portrait will still work, but the 3D effect is weaker and the video will be cropped.
Moving too fast. Rapid panning or walking while recording can cause the depth effect to look jerky or blurred. Move slowly and smoothly.
Covering the lenses. The iPhone 15 Pro uses the main and ultra-wide cameras simultaneously for spatial video. Keep your fingers away from both lenses.
Not checking storage. Spatial video files are about 130MB per minute. If you run out of storage mid-recording, the video may be lost.

Tips

Use good lighting. Spatial video works best in bright, even light. Low-light scenes produce more noise and weaker depth perception.
Keep subjects 3–8 feet away. The depth effect is strongest when the main subject is within this range. Too close or too far reduces the 3D effect.
Stabilize with a tripod or gimbal. A stable camera makes the depth effect much more convincing. If you don’t have one, brace your elbows against your body.
Record in 4K at 30fps. Spatial video is always recorded at 1080p at 30fps, regardless of your resolution setting. Don’t worry about changing it; the camera handles it automatically.
Edit with iMovie or Final Cut Pro. You can trim spatial videos in the Photos app or iMovie. For more advanced editing, Final Cut Pro supports spatial video on Mac.
Back up to iCloud. Since spatial files are large, enable iCloud Photos to avoid losing them if you run out of local storage.

Troubleshooting

“Spatial” icon is grayed out. This usually means your iOS is outdated. Update to iOS 17.2 or later. If it’s still grayed out, restart your iPhone.
Video saves as a normal 2D file. Check that you actually tapped the Spatial icon before recording. If the icon is not yellow, spatial mode is off. Also, make sure you recorded for at least 3 seconds.
Cannot find the spatial video in Photos. Spatial videos are stored in the “Spatial” album under Albums > Media Types. If it’s not there, check your “Recents” album; it might be saved as a regular video if the recording was too short.
Playback on Vision Pro shows flat video. Make sure you’re viewing the file that has the “Spatial” badge in Photos (a small 3D icon). Also, check that your Vision Pro is updated to the latest visionOS.
Video is blurry or has poor depth. Clean the camera lenses with a soft cloth. Ensure the subject is well-lit and within 3–8 feet. If you’re moving, slow down.
Storage full error during recording. Free up space by deleting old videos or offloading photos to iCloud. You need at least 1GB free to start a spatial recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record spatial video on iPhone 15 or iPhone 14 Pro?

No. Spatial video recording is exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Older models (including iPhone 15 and 15 Plus) do not have the necessary camera hardware.

What resolution is spatial video?

Spatial video is recorded at 1080p (1920×1080) at 30 frames per second. This is fixed; you cannot change it to 4K or 60fps.

How much storage does spatial video use?

Roughly 130MB per minute, which is about 7.8GB per hour. A 1-minute clip is about 130MB.

Can I watch spatial video on my iPhone?

Yes, but it plays as a regular 2D video. To see the 3D depth effect, you need a device like Apple Vision Pro or a Meta Quest 3 (via the Meta Quest app).

Do I need an Apple Vision Pro to record spatial video?

No. You can record spatial video with just your iPhone 15 Pro. The Vision Pro is only needed for playback with depth.

Can I share spatial video with friends who don’t have a Vision Pro?

Yes. You can share the file via AirDrop, Messages, or iCloud. They will see a normal 2D video unless they have a compatible device.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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