iPhone Slow Motion: How to Record and Edit Slo-Mo

To record slow motion on an iPhone, open the Camera app, choose Slo-mo, and tap the record button; the phone captures more frames per second so playback looks slower. You can adjust which part of a clip plays in slow motion in Photos, although available recording options vary by iPhone model.

How to Record Slow Motion

Open the built-in Camera app.
Swipe through the camera modes and select Slo-mo. On some iPhones, the mode names appear below the viewfinder; on others, you may need to swipe across the screen to reach it.
Frame your subject and tap the record button to start. Tap it again to stop. You can also use a volume button to start or stop recording when the Camera app is open.

Move close enough for the subject to be clear, but leave room for movement. Bright, even light generally produces better results: slow-motion capture uses a faster frame rate, which can mean less light reaches each frame. Check the viewfinder for focus and exposure before recording, and avoid digital zoom if it makes the image noticeably softer.

What Slow Motion Does

Video is made of still images, or frames, shown in sequence. Ordinary video commonly uses a playback rate such as 30 or 60 frames per second (fps). Slow-motion recording captures more frames during each second of real-world action, then plays those frames back at a lower rate. The extra captured frames make the action appear more gradual rather than simply repeating or stretching a few frames.

For example, if a scene is captured at 120 fps and played at 30 fps, one second of real action takes about four seconds to play. At 240 fps played at 30 fps, that same second takes about eight seconds. These are examples of the frame-rate relationship, not a guarantee that every iPhone offers both recording rates or plays every clip at exactly 30 fps.

Slow motion is useful for brief, quick events: a ball bouncing, a splash, a pet jumping, or a person running past. It is less useful for a long scene with little movement, because the resulting video takes more storage and may not reveal anything new.

Choose a Recording Rate

Some iPhone models let you select slow-motion recording settings in the Camera section of the Settings app. On supported models, look for Settings > Camera > Record Slo-mo; the exact choices depend on the device. Newer models may also show a frame-rate or resolution control directly in the Camera app. If a setting is missing, the iPhone may not support it, or the control may be presented differently in that iOS version.

Higher frame rate: Can make fast action look slower when played back, but may require more light and use more storage.
Resolution: Higher resolution retains more image detail but typically creates larger files. The available combinations depend on the model.
Lighting and movement: A fast-moving subject in dim light can look dark or blurred. Try brighter light and keep the phone steady.

Do not assume that every iPhone records at the same frame rate, resolution, or duration. Consult the specifications for your exact model if a particular option matters. Recording high-frame-rate video also does not mean that every second will necessarily be saved at the full captured rate in the finished playback.

Edit the Slow-Motion Section

After recording, open the clip in Photos, tap Edit, and look for the frame-rate timeline beneath the video preview. On a slow-motion clip, the timeline includes markers showing the portion that plays in slow motion. Drag the vertical handles to change where the slower section begins and ends, then preview the result and tap Done to save your edit. Labels and controls can vary somewhat across iOS versions.

This lets you keep the beginning and end at normal speed while slowing only the key moment. For example, a jump can play normally as the person approaches, slow during the jump, and return to normal speed on landing. If the clip was recorded as ordinary video rather than with the Slo-mo mode, Photos may not provide the same slow-motion timing controls. You can still use a video-editing app that supports speed changes, but slowing ordinary footage substantially may look choppy because it contains fewer captured frames.

Editing playback timing is different from changing the original capture rate. The clip’s visible slow-motion section is a playback choice; it does not recover detail that was never recorded. Keep an unedited copy if you want to preserve the original framing and timing before experimenting.

Common Problems and Fixes

Slo-mo is missing: Check that you are in the Camera app and swipe through its modes. Restarting the app can help if the mode selector is not responding. If the option remains unavailable, check the iPhone model’s camera specifications.
The clip looks dark: Move to a brighter area or add steady light. High-frame-rate recording can be less forgiving in dim conditions than ordinary video.
The action is still too fast: Confirm that the clip was recorded in Slo-mo, then extend the slow-motion section in Photos. Capture at a higher supported frame rate if the model offers that choice and the lighting is adequate.
The video looks shaky: Hold the phone with both hands, brace your arms, or use a stable support. Stabilization can help, but it cannot eliminate every abrupt movement.
There is not enough storage: Review and remove unwanted large videos, or move clips somewhere you can safely keep them before deleting them from the device. High-resolution or long clips can take substantial space.

Slow Motion Compared with Regular Video

Use Slo-mo when you want to inspect or emphasize a brief event. Use regular video for conversation, travel, or longer scenes where normal timing matters. A regular recording may be easier to share and can use less storage, depending on its settings and duration. For a quick clip that is already recorded, a video editor may offer a speed adjustment, but the result depends on the original frame rate: software can duplicate or blend frames, yet it cannot recreate all the detail of footage captured at a high frame rate.

Audio is another consideration. When footage plays slowly, its sound may also be altered, muted, or handled differently by the editing or playback software. If clear speech or natural sound is essential, record a separate audio track or use regular video for the spoken portion, then use slow motion only for the visual action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I put an iPhone video in slow motion?
For the best result, record in the Camera app’s Slo-mo mode. If you already have a clip, open it in a compatible video editor and adjust its speed; ordinary footage may look less smooth when slowed.

Can I change how much of a clip is slow motion?
Yes. Open the slow-motion clip in Photos, tap Edit, and adjust the marked slow-motion portion of the timeline. Preview the change before tapping Done.

Why is Slo-mo not showing on my iPhone?
Swipe through the Camera modes and check that you are using the built-in Camera app. If it is still absent, the feature or a particular recording option may not be supported on that model.

Does slow motion use more storage?
It can. File size depends on factors such as recording duration, resolution, frame rate, and video format. Keep only the clips you need and check available storage before recording a long session.

Can I record slow motion in low light?
You can, but the result may be darker or less clear. Use brighter, steady lighting where possible, and check the exposure on screen before recording.

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

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