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iPhone User Guide

Record video in Cinematic mode with your iPhone camera

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 supported models.

  1. Open Camera 👁 Image
    on your iPhone.

  2. Swipe left on the screen to select Cinematic mode.

  3. Before recording, you can make the following adjustments:

  4. 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.

    • On iPhone 15 Pro models, iPhone 16 Pro models, and iPhone 17 Pro models, tap 2 to zoom in.

      For a more precise zoom control, touch and hold 1x, then slide the dial.

  5. Tap the Record button or press either volume button to stop recording.

Tip: On supported models, you can use the Camera Control to adjust the depth-of-field effect. See Select and adjust the Camera Control settings.

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

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