Video in Notability works through recording directly in the app or inserting video files you already have

Notability lets you record video two ways: you can capture video directly inside the app using your device's camera, or you can insert a video file you've already recorded or downloaded. The direct recording method is faster if you want to capture something happening in front of you — a whiteboard, a demonstration, a lecture. Inserting a file works better if you have video from another source, like a screen recording you made in QuickTime or a downloaded tutorial.

Both methods put the video into your note as an embedded file. You can play it back, scrub through it, and keep it alongside your written notes and sketches. The video stays in that note — it doesn't upload to the cloud automatically, so you control where it lives.

Key Takeaways

  • You can record video directly in Notability by tapping the camera icon, or insert an existing video file from your device's photo library.
  • Recorded video embeds in your note and plays back within Notability, but takes up storage space on your device.
  • Video files larger than a few hundred megabytes may slow down the app or cause the note to become difficult to sync across devices.
  • You can trim video after recording to remove the beginning or end, which also reduces file size.

Recording video directly in Notability

Open the note where you want the video. Tap the plus icon (usually in the toolbar at the bottom or top of your screen, depending on your device orientation). A menu appears with options including camera, shapes, text, and more. Select Camera.

Notability asks which camera you want to use — front-facing or rear. Choose based on what you're recording. If you're capturing something in front of you (a whiteboard, a person, an object), use the rear camera. If you're recording yourself, use the front camera. Tap your choice and the camera view opens.

The red record button appears at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to start recording. A timer shows how long you've been recording. Tap the red button again to stop. The video is saved to your note when ready. You can now play it back by tapping the video thumbnail, or continue adding text and sketches around it.

Inserting a video file you already have

Open the note where you want the video. Tap the plus icon and select Insert a file (the exact wording varies by Notability version, but it's usually labeled "Insert" or "Add file"). Your device's photo library or file browser opens.

Navigate to the video file you want to add. This can be a video in your Photos app, a screen recording saved to Files, or any video file your device can access. Tap the video to select it. Notability imports it into the note. The import takes longer for large files — a 500 MB video might take 30 seconds to a minute.

Once imported, the video appears as a thumbnail in your note. Tap it to play. You can move it around the note like any other object, resize it by pinching, or delete it by selecting it and pressing delete.

Trimming video to save space

After you record video in Notability, you can trim the beginning or end to remove dead time. This also shrinks the file size, which matters if you're running low on storage or syncing notes across multiple devices. Tap the video to select it, then look for a trim or edit option — this usually appears as a slider or scissors icon.

Drag the handles at either end of the timeline to mark where you want the video to start and stop. The area you remove turns gray. Tap Save or Done to explore the trim. The video is now shorter and takes up less space on your device.

Why video files can cause problems in Notability

Video files are large. A one-minute video recorded at standard quality is often 50 to 150 MB. A five-minute video can be 250 MB or more. When you embed video in a Notability note, that file size gets added to the note's total size. A note with multiple videos or long recordings can become 500 MB or larger.

Large notes slow down Notability when you try to open them, scroll through them, or sync them to other devices via iCloud. On older devices or devices with limited storage, a note with heavy video can become sluggish or fail to sync. If you're recording long lectures or multiple videos, consider splitting them across separate notes or trimming them aggressively to keep individual notes under 200 MB.

Playing back and sharing video from your notes

To play a video in your note, tap the video thumbnail. A player opens with standard controls — play, pause, scrub through the timeline, and volume. You can watch the video without leaving Notability. There's no separate app or window.

To share a note that contains video, use Notability's share menu. Tap the Share button (usually three dots or an arrow icon). You can export the note as a PDF, image, or Notability file. If you export as PDF, the video won't be included — only a still image from the video appears. If you export as a Notability file, the video travels with it. If you want to share just the video, you can save it separately to your photo library and share it from there instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit video inside Notability?

Notability lets you trim the start and end, but not cut, splice, or add effects. For serious video editing, use a dedicated app like iMovie or CapCut, then insert the finished video into Notability.

What video formats does Notability accept?

Notability accepts MP4, MOV, and most other formats your device's photo library recognizes. If you have a video in an unusual format, convert it to MP4 first using a free tool like HandBrake or CloudConvert.

Will my video sync to my other devices?

Yes, if you use iCloud sync. The video file syncs along with the note, but it may take time depending on file size and your internet speed. Large videos can take several minutes to sync.

Can I record audio without video?

Notability doesn't have a dedicated audio recorder. If you need just audio, use your device's Voice Memos app or another audio app, then insert the file into Notability if it supports audio files — support varies by version.

What happens if my note gets too large?

Notability may become slow or unresponsive. If a note exceeds 500 MB, consider moving videos to separate notes, deleting old recordings you don't need, or exporting the note and starting fresh.