Whether you’re an avid adventurer or simply looking to capture precious moments on the go, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro series’ new Action mode applies silky-smooth video stabilization to your shakiest shots. This tutorial shows you how to take advantage of this new option on your device.
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Action Mode Device Compatibility
Action mode, which is exclusive to the iPhone 14 series, uses an advanced process called roll correction along with full camera sensor scanning to generate super-steady video. The full list of iPhone models that support Action Mode are:
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 ProMax
Action mode can capture Dolby Vision HDR video at 1080p or 2.8K resolution at up to 60 frames per second. On iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, Action Mode is capable of capturing images in Apple’s ProRes video format.
How to enable action mode in the camera app
- Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
- Swipe right across the center of the screen to switch to Video mode.
- To activate action mode, tap the yellow action mode button. It looks like a figure that is running.
- Tap the red shutter button to record a video.
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How to change action mode video capture resolution
After enabling action mode, you can customize the video capture quality and adjust the frame rate before capturing your video by following the steps below.
- While action mode is active, you can tap the switch that says “HD” to switch to 2.8K video capture. On the iPhone, “HD” represents 1080p video quality.
- Tap the switch labeled “30” to switch between frame rates while Action mode is enabled. You can choose between 24, 30 and 60 frames per second.
How to Optimize Action Mode for Low Light Conditions
Action mode videos will look clearer in bright light. While using Action Mode in a low-light environment, you may get a message from your iPhone that says “More light required.” Fortunately, Apple allows you to force Action mode to work at a slightly reduced efficiency in low-light conditions.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and select “Camera” from the list of menu items.
- Tap the “Record Video” option from the list of capture options.
- Turn on the switch to the right of the text that says “Action Mode Bottom Light.”
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Frequent questions
Will the quality of my videos degrade if I enable Low Light Action Mode?
No, but you may notice moderately reduced video stabilization. Action mode works by forcing your iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro to record video by cropping a portion of the footage captured by the ultra-wide camera and then correcting the distortion. Forcing Action mode to operate in low light conditions reduces this clipping, which can result in images that are noticeably less stable.
Can I capture video using action mode and cinematic mode at the same time?
Unfortunately not. Apple does not allow users to capture in other camera modes while Action mode is enabled. However, you can enable Action Mode while capturing video in ProRes to collect even more data that gives you more creative control over your images in post. You can follow our guide on how to record ProRes video on iPhone 13 Pro and later to learn more.
If I share a video I took using Action Mode, will the recipient need an Apple device to view the footage?
Not fortunately. By default, videos you capture using Action Mode will still be saved as .MOV files, which can be viewed on most devices, including most Android smartphones and Windows PCs. Do you have another Apple device? Find out how Airplay to your Mac from your iPhonewhich will allow you to showcase your Action Mode shots on an even larger scale.
Image credit: unsplash. All screenshots of Brahm Shank.
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