Slow motion on iPhone uses your camera's built-in feature, not an app

Your iPhone can record video in slow motion directly through the Camera app — you do not need to download anything or use a third-party application. The camera captures extra frames per second, which your phone then plays back at a slower speed to create the effect. Every iPhone model from the iPhone 5s onward supports slow-motion recording, though the frame rates available depend on which model you own.

The process has two parts: recording the video in slow motion, and then trimming or editing the slow-motion section if you want only part of your footage to play slowly. Both happen in the Camera app or Photos app, and both take just a few taps.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Camera app, swipe to the "Slo-Mo" mode, and record your video — the phone automatically captures at a high frame rate without any settings to change.
  • After recording, the entire video plays in slow motion by default, but you can trim it in the Photos app to make only certain sections slow.
  • iPhone 14 and newer models record at up to 240 frames per second; older models typically max out at 120 or 60 frames per second.
  • Slow-motion files are larger than regular videos, so check your available storage before recording long clips.

How to record slow-motion video in the Camera app

Open the Camera app on your home screen. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a row of mode buttons: Photo, Video, Portrait, and others. Swipe left through these modes until you reach "Slo-Mo" — it appears as a snail icon or the text "Slo-Mo" depending on your iPhone model.

Once you are in Slo-Mo mode, the camera is ready to record. Press the red record button at the bottom center of the screen, just as you would for a regular video. Record your footage normally — the phone handles the frame rate automatically. When you are done, press the red button again to stop recording. The video is saved to your Photos app immediately.

Do not worry about the frame rate or any technical settings. The Camera app chooses the highest frame rate your phone supports automatically. On an iPhone 14 Pro or newer, that is 240 frames per second. On an iPhone 13 or earlier, it is typically 120 frames per second at 1080p resolution, or 60 frames per second at 4K resolution.

Trimming slow motion so only part of the video plays slowly

When you record in Slo-Mo mode, the entire video plays back in slow motion. If you want only certain sections to play slowly — for example, a person jumping in the middle of a clip — you need to trim the slow-motion range in the Photos app.

Open the Photos app and find the slow-motion video you just recorded. Tap "Edit" in the top right corner. You will see a timeline at the bottom of the screen with a gray bar across it. This gray bar represents the slow-motion section. Drag the left edge of the gray bar to where you want slow motion to start, and drag the right edge to where you want it to end. Everything outside the gray bar will play at normal speed. Tap "Done" to save your changes.

The original video is not deleted — you can always tap "Edit" again and adjust the slow-motion range, or tap "Revert" to go back to the full slow-motion version.

Why your slow-motion video might look choppy or unclear

Slow-motion video requires much more light than regular video because the camera is capturing many more frames per second. If you record in dim lighting, the video may look grainy or blurry when played back slowly. Record in bright, natural light whenever possible — outdoors or near a window works best.

If your video is still unclear after recording in good light, the problem may be motion blur. When you move the phone quickly or your subject moves quickly, slow motion can emphasize that blur. Steady your phone with a tripod or by bracing it against something stable, and ask your subject to move more slowly during recording.

Checking your iPhone model and available frame rates

Different iPhone models support different maximum frame rates for slow-motion recording. iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max record at up to 240 frames per second. iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 12 models record at up to 120 frames per second at 1080p, or 60 frames per second at 4K. iPhone 11 and earlier models max out at 120 frames per second at 1080p or 60 frames per second at 4K.

You do not need to know your frame rate to record — the Camera app handles it automatically. But if you are sharing slow-motion video with others or editing it on a computer, knowing your phone's capabilities helps you understand what is possible. You can check your iPhone model by going to Settings, then General, then About, and looking at the "Model" line.

Storage and file size for slow-motion videos

Slow-motion video files are significantly larger than regular videos because they contain many more frames. A one-minute slow-motion clip recorded at 120 frames per second can take up 300 to 500 megabytes of storage, depending on your resolution and lighting. Before recording long slow-motion clips, check your available storage by going to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage.

If you are running low on space, delete old videos or photos you no longer need, or back up your phone to iCloud before recording. You can also reduce file size by recording at lower resolution — though the Camera app does not give you a choice, so this is only relevant if you are editing on a computer later.

Sharing and exporting slow-motion video

Once your slow-motion video is trimmed the way you want it, you can share it directly from the Photos app. Tap the video, then tap the share button (a box with an arrow pointing up), and choose where to send it — Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or social media apps. The video will export at the resolution and frame rate it was recorded in.

If you want to edit the video further — add music, text, or transitions — you can open it in the Photos app and tap "Edit," or move it to a video editing app like iMovie or CapCut. Both of these apps recognize slow-motion video and let you adjust the speed further if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I slow down a regular video I already recorded?

Not with the Camera app — slow motion must be recorded at the time of filming. However, you can open a regular video in iMovie or CapCut and slow it down manually. The result will not look as smooth as native slow-motion video because the phone did not capture extra frames, but it works for minor slowdowns.

Why does my slow-motion video look like it has fewer frames than it should?

This usually means you recorded in low light. The camera compensates by using a faster shutter speed, which can make motion look stuttering or jerky. Record in bright light and keep your subject's movement smooth and predictable.

Can I convert a slow-motion video back to normal speed?

Yes. Open the video in Photos, tap Edit, and drag both edges of the gray slow-motion bar to cover the entire timeline. This makes the whole video play at normal speed. Tap Done to save.

What is the difference between 60fps and 120fps slow motion?

Higher frame rates create smoother slow-motion playback because more frames are captured per second. 120fps looks noticeably smoother than 60fps when played back slowly. Use 120fps if your phone supports it and you have enough storage.

Does slow-motion recording drain my battery faster?

Yes, recording at high frame rates uses more processing power and battery than regular video. If you are recording multiple slow-motion clips, have a charger nearby or enable Low Power Mode in Settings to extend battery life.