To record 4K video on an iPhone, open Settings > Camera > Record Video and choose a 4K option, such as 4K at 30 fps or 4K at 60 fps. Every iPhone since the iPhone 6s can record 4K, including the iPhone 7 Plus. On newer iPhones, you can also switch resolution right in the Camera app by tapping the HD or 4K label at the top of the screen in Video mode.
4K files are large, so check your free storage first. A minute of 4K at 60 fps takes roughly 400 MB in the High Efficiency format, and more in Most Compatible.
Quick Answer
Settings > Camera > Record Video > 4K at 30 fps (or 24 or 60 fps). Then open Camera, swipe to Video, and record.
Turn On 4K in Settings
- Open Settings and tap Camera.
- Tap Record Video.
- Choose 4K at 24 fps, 4K at 30 fps, or 4K at 60 fps. The iPhone 7 Plus offers 4K at 30 fps; iPhone 8 and later add 24 and 60 fps.
- Open the Camera app, swipe to Video, and tap the record button.
Switch Resolution in the Camera App
- If you don’t see the resolution labels in the Camera app, look in Settings > Camera > Record Video for a Video Format Control switch and turn it on.
- In the Camera app’s Video mode, tap HD to switch to 4K, and tap the frame-rate number to change it.
This quick toggle is available on iPhone 11 and later.
Which 4K Setting Should You Use?
| Setting | Looks like | Best for | Approx. size per minute (HEVC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K at 24 fps | Film-like motion | Cinematic clips | About 135 MB |
| 4K at 30 fps | Standard video | Everyday recording | About 170 MB |
| 4K at 60 fps | Very smooth motion | Sports, kids, pets, slow-motion editing | About 400 MB |
Sizes vary by model and scene. On newer Pro models, ProRes and Log recording use far more space.
To see which frame rates your model can reach, check this list of the highest video resolution on each iPhone.
Save Space While Recording 4K
- Keep Settings > Camera > Formats on High Efficiency. Most Compatible roughly doubles file size.
- Turn on iCloud Photos with Optimize iPhone Storage, or move videos to your computer. Here’s how to transfer iPhone videos to a PC.
- Use 4K at 30 fps unless you need smooth motion.
Troubleshooting
- 4K options are missing: Your model may not support that frame rate. iPhones older than the 6s can’t record 4K at all.
- Videos won’t play on Windows: High Efficiency uses HEVC. Install an HEVC codec or see how to play iPhone videos on Windows.
- Recording stops: Storage is full. Free up space in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Apple’s video recording settings guide lists the options for each model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4K 30 fps or 60 fps better?
60 fps is smoother and better for motion, but files are about twice as large. 30 fps is fine for most everyday video.
How big is 30 minutes of 4K video?
Roughly 5 GB at 4K 30 fps, and about 12 GB at 4K 60 fps, in High Efficiency format.
Summary
- Go to Settings > Camera > Record Video and choose 4K.
- Or tap HD/4K in the Camera app on newer iPhones.
- Keep High Efficiency on and watch your storage.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.