iPhone 16 has a built-in slow motion mode that records at higher frame rates, then plays the footage back slower than real time

Slow motion video on iPhone 16 works by capturing more frames per second than normal video, then playing those frames back at standard speed. The result looks like the action is happening in slow motion. You access this mode directly in the Camera app — no separate app or settings menu needed. iPhone 16 can record at 120 frames per second (fps) or 240 fps depending on which resolution you choose, which determines how slow the playback appears.

The Camera app on iPhone 16 defaults to standard video mode. To switch to slow motion, you swipe left or right on the mode selector at the bottom of the screen until you reach the "Slo-Mo" option. Once selected, you record video the same way you would normally — press the red record button, capture your footage, then press it again to stop. The slow motion effect is already applied when you play it back in your Photos app.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Camera app and swipe to the "Slo-Mo" mode, which appears between Video and Cinematic modes.
  • Press the red record button to start capturing, then press it again to stop — the slow motion effect happens automatically during playback.
  • iPhone 16 records at 120 fps by default, which slows footage to about half speed; switching to 240 fps in settings creates even slower playback.
  • Slow motion files are larger than regular videos, so check that you have enough storage space before recording long clips.
  • You can edit which parts of a slow motion video play in slow motion and which play at normal speed using the Photos app.

Finding and Opening Slow Motion Mode

The Camera app is on your home screen — it looks like a camera lens. Tap it to open. You will see the video mode is selected by default, shown as "Video" at the bottom center of the screen. Below that text is a row of mode options: Photo, Video, Slo-Mo, Cinematic, and Portrait.

Swipe left on the mode row until "Slo-Mo" is highlighted in yellow. The word appears between Video and Cinematic. Once Slo-Mo is selected, the camera switches to slow motion mode and you are ready to record. The frame rate (120 fps or 240 fps) appears in the top right corner of the screen.

Recording Your First Slow Motion Video

With Slo-Mo mode active, point your iPhone 16 at the action you want to capture. The red record button is at the bottom center of the screen. Press it once to start recording. You will see a red circle with a timer showing how long you have been recording.

Keep the iPhone steady while recording. Even small movements are magnified in slow motion, so bracing your phone against something or using both hands helps. When you are done capturing, press the red button again to stop. The video is automatically saved to your Photos app and is ready to watch immediately.

Understanding Frame Rate and What It Means for Your Video

iPhone 16 offers two frame rate options in slow motion: 120 fps and 240 fps. The default is 120 fps, which plays back at roughly half normal speed. If you want even slower motion, you can change this setting before you record.

To change the frame rate, open Settings on your iPhone, scroll down and tap Camera, then tap Record Slo-Mo. You will see two options: 120 fps and 240 fps. Select 240 fps if you want the slowest possible playback. The trade-off is that 240 fps files are larger and use more storage space. For most situations — sports, water splashing, people jumping — 120 fps is sufficient and saves space.

The resolution also affects file size. iPhone 16 records slow motion at 1080p by default. You cannot change the resolution for slow motion the way you can for regular video, so the frame rate choice is your main control over file size.

Playing Back and Editing Slow Motion Video

Open the Photos app and find the slow motion video you just recorded. It will have a small "Slo-Mo" label in the corner. Tap it to play. The entire video plays in slow motion by default.

If you want only part of the video to be slow motion and the rest to play at normal speed, you can edit it. While the video is playing or selected, tap Edit. You will see a timeline at the bottom with yellow sections marking where slow motion is applied. Drag the yellow handles left or right to change which parts are slow motion and which play at normal speed. Tap Done to save your changes.

You can also trim the video, adjust exposure, or apply filters while in edit mode. Any changes you make are saved as a new version — the original is not deleted.

Storage and File Size Considerations

Slow motion video files are significantly larger than regular video because they contain more frames. A one-minute slow motion video at 120 fps takes up roughly 400 to 500 MB of storage, depending on lighting and movement. At 240 fps, expect closer to 800 MB per minute.

Before recording long slow motion clips, check how much storage space you have available. Go to Settings, tap General, then tap iPhone Storage. You will see how much space is free. If you are running low, delete old photos or videos, or consider using iCloud Photos to back up and remove videos from your device.

If you record slow motion regularly, you may want to transfer videos to a computer or external drive to free up space on your iPhone. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC, open the Photos app or file explorer, and drag the videos to your computer.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

If slow motion mode is not appearing in your Camera app, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off your phone. Wait a few seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on.

If your slow motion video looks choppy or stutters during playback, the file may be corrupted or your iPhone may be running low on memory. Try closing other apps and playing the video again. If it still stutters, delete the video and record a new one.

If you cannot find your slow motion video after recording, check the Recently Deleted album in Photos. If it is there, tap Edit, select the video, and tap Recover. If it is not in Recently Deleted, the video may not have saved properly — this usually happens if your iPhone ran out of storage while recording. Free up space and try recording again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record slow motion video in low light?

Yes, but the video will be grainier and darker than in bright light. Slow motion mode uses a faster shutter speed, which lets in less light. If possible, record in well-lit areas or outdoors during daytime for the clearest results.

What is the difference between 120 fps and 240 fps?

At 120 fps, the video plays back at roughly half normal speed. At 240 fps, it plays back at roughly one-quarter normal speed, making motion appear even slower. The trade-off is that 240 fps files are twice as large and use more storage space.

Can I convert a regular video to slow motion after recording?

No. Slow motion requires the camera to capture extra frames while recording. If you recorded in regular video mode, those extra frames do not exist, so you cannot create slow motion in editing. Always switch to Slo-Mo mode before you start recording if you want slow motion.

How long can I record in slow motion mode?

You can record until your iPhone storage is full. There is no time limit built into the app. However, slow motion files are large, so a full storage device will fill up faster than with regular video.

Can I share slow motion video directly to social media?

Yes. Open the video in Photos, tap the share button (arrow pointing out of a box), and select the app you want to share to — Instagram, TikTok, Messages, or others. The slow motion effect is preserved when you share, though some platforms may compress the file.