Open the Camera app and switch to Slo-Mo mode

The slow-motion feature is built into every iPhone's Camera app — you do not need to read anything. Open Camera, then swipe left or right through the row of modes at the bottom until you see "Slo-Mo" appear. Tap it to select it.

Once Slo-Mo is active, the mode name stays highlighted at the bottom and the frame rate appears in the upper right corner. Most iPhones default to 120 frames per second (fps), which plays back at one-quarter speed. Some newer models also offer 240 fps, which plays even slower. The higher the frame rate, the more data the video uses, so 120 fps is usually the right choice unless you specifically want extreme slow motion.

Key Takeaways

  • Slo-Mo mode is in the Camera app's mode row — swipe until you find it, then tap to set up.
  • Record normally; the iPhone automatically captures at a high frame rate and plays it back slow.
  • You can edit which parts play slow and which play normal speed using the Photos app after recording.
  • Slow-motion video uses more storage than regular video because it captures more frames per second.
  • Playback speed depends on your iPhone model and the frame rate you chose — 120 fps plays at roughly one-quarter normal speed.

Hold steady and press the shutter button to record

Point your iPhone at what you want to film and hold it as still as possible. Tap and hold the large white shutter button at the bottom center of the screen, or use the volume button on the side of the phone — both work the same way. Keep holding until the action you want to capture is finished, then release.

The iPhone records continuously while you hold the button. Unlike some other modes, you cannot set a timer or record hands-free in Slo-Mo — you must actively hold the button. If you are filming something fast (a ball bouncing, water splashing, a pet jumping), start recording a moment before the action begins so you capture the whole thing.

Find your video in the Photos app and check the playback

When you release the shutter button, the video saves automatically to your Photos library. Open Photos, tap Library, and scroll to find the video you just recorded — it appears at the top with a small "Slo-Mo" label in the corner. Tap it to play it back at slow speed.

The entire video plays in slow motion by default. If the slow-motion effect is too extreme or too subtle for what you filmed, you can adjust which sections play slow and which play at normal speed using the editing tools, which are covered in the next section.

Edit which parts play slow using the Photos editing tools

Open the slow-motion video in Photos and tap Edit in the upper right. A timeline appears at the bottom showing the full length of the video. You will see two vertical lines — these mark the start and end of the slow-motion section. Everything between them plays slow; everything outside plays at normal speed.

Drag the left line to the right to move where the slow motion begins. Drag the right line to the left to move where it ends. For example, if you recorded a person jumping for five seconds but only want the jump itself (two seconds in the middle) to be slow, drag the left line to where the jump starts and the right line to where it ends. The parts before and after play at normal speed.

Tap Done to save your changes. The edited video replaces the original in your Photos library. If you change your mind, open the video again, tap Edit, and tap Revert to undo all changes and go back to the original all-slow version.

Share or save your slow-motion video

Once your video is recorded and edited the way you want it, tap the share button (a box with an arrow pointing up) to send it to another app. You can text it, email it, post it to social media, or save it to cloud storage like iCloud Drive or Google Drive. The video keeps its slow-motion playback no matter where you share it.

If you want to save it as a file on your computer, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC, open the Photos app on your computer, and import the video from your iPhone's library. The slow-motion effect travels with the file.

Why slow motion uses more storage and battery

Slow-motion video captures 120 or 240 frames per second instead of the standard 30 fps. That means the iPhone is recording four to eight times as much data in the same amount of time. A 10-second slow-motion video at 120 fps takes up roughly the same storage space as a 40-second regular video.

Recording in Slo-Mo also drains your battery faster because the camera sensor and processor are working harder. If you are filming a long event and storage or battery is tight, record in regular video mode instead and save Slo-Mo for the moments that really benefit from it — fast action, water, movement, or anything you want viewers to see in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert a regular video to slow motion after I record it?

No. Slow motion requires the iPhone to capture extra frames while recording. If you shot in regular video mode, those frames do not exist, and no app can create them. Always record in Slo-Mo mode if you think you might want slow motion later.

What is the difference between 120 fps and 240 fps?

Both play slower than normal video, but 240 fps plays even slower and smoother. 240 fps is available on iPhone 13 Pro and newer models. For most purposes, 120 fps is smooth enough and uses less storage. Use 240 fps only for very fast action where you want extreme slow-motion detail.

Does slow-motion video work with the front-facing camera?

Yes. Swipe to Slo-Mo mode, tap the camera flip icon to switch to the front camera, and record normally. The slow-motion effect works the same way as with the rear camera.

Can I undo my slow-motion edits if I already saved the video?

Yes, as long as you have not deleted the original. Open the video in Photos, tap Edit, and tap Revert to restore the all-slow version. If you have already replaced it with a different edit, you cannot undo that without re-recording.

Why does my slow-motion video look blurry or dark?

Slow-motion recording requires more light because the shutter speed is faster. If you are filming indoors or in dim light, move closer to a window or turn on more lights. Outdoors, avoid pointing the camera directly at the sun. If the video is still too dark, switch to regular video mode, which handles low light better.