How to Submit a Video to AFV on iPhone (Safari Upload)

To submit a video to AFV (America’s Funniest Home Videos) from your iPhone, open Safari, go to afv.com/upload, tap the upload box to pick your clip from your photo library, add a title and a short description, and then complete the TV Release Form. You don’t need a computer, and you don’t need to email anything.

Before you tap upload, it helps to trim the clip to the funny part and read AFV’s Contest Rules so you know who is eligible. Below you’ll find the full walkthrough, how to get your video ready on the iPhone, what the release form is, and fixes if the upload stalls.

Quick Answer

1. On your iPhone, open Safari and go to afv.com/upload.
2. Tap the video upload box and choose your clip from your photo library.
3. Type a Video Title and a Video Description (both are required).
4. Continue to the TV Release Form and fill it in.
5. Submit, and keep Safari open until the upload finishes.

In This Guide

• What you need before you submit
• Get your video ready on the iPhone
• Submit your video to AFV from an iPhone
• About the TV Release Form
• Submit from a computer instead
• What happens after you submit
• Tips for a clip AFV can use
• Troubleshooting
• Frequently Asked Questions

What You Need Before You Submit

This guide covers submitting through AFV’s official upload page in Safari on an iPhone, as of September 2026. The same steps work in other iPhone browsers such as Chrome, and on an iPad.

• The video on your iPhone. It should be in the Photos app (your photo library). If it’s only in a messaging app or social app, save it to Photos first.
• A good internet connection. Wi-Fi is best. Videos are large files, and a weak cellular signal is the most common reason an upload stalls.
• The right to submit it. Submit only clips you filmed yourself or have permission to send. The people in the video, or the person who recorded it, may need to agree to the release, so check before you send someone else’s footage.
• A few minutes for the form. AFV asks for a title, a description, and a TV Release Form.

Check who can enter

AFV runs its submissions as a contest, and the official eligibility terms (such as minimum age, where you have to live, and what counts as a valid entry) are in the AFV Contest Rules. The rules load as a document on that page, so open it and read the eligibility section before you submit. If you’re under 18, have a parent or guardian read the rules and handle the submission and release form, since contest and release terms usually require an adult to agree to them.

As listed on AFV’s site in September 2026, the first-place winner of each weekly episode receives $20,000 and goes on to compete for $100,000, with $6,000 for second place and $4,000 for third. Prize amounts can change from season to season, so treat the site as the final word.

How to Get Your Video Ready on the iPhone

A shorter clip uploads faster and gets straight to the funny moment, which is what reviewers want to see. You can trim it right in the Photos app without any extra apps.

1. Open the video. Open the Photos app and tap the video you want to send.
2. Start editing. Tap Edit. Expected result: A timeline of video frames appears at the bottom of the screen.
3. Trim the start and end. Drag the sliders on both ends of the timeline to set where the clip starts and stops. Leave a few seconds of lead-in so viewers understand what’s happening before the funny part.
4. Preview it. Tap the Play button to watch your trimmed version.
5. Save a copy. Tap Done, then tap Save Video as New Clip. Expected result: Your original stays untouched, and a trimmed copy appears in your library.

Choosing Save Video instead replaces the original with the trimmed version, but you can still undo it later: open the video, tap Edit, tap Revert, then Revert to Original. Apple describes these steps on its How to edit videos on your iPhone page. Saving a new clip is the safer choice because you keep the full-length original in case AFV ever asks for it.

A note on video format

Newer iPhones record video in a space-saving format called HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) by default. According to Apple’s HEIF and HEVC media page, you can change this in Settings > Camera > Formats, where High Efficiency uses HEVC and Most Compatible uses the older, widely supported H.264 format. This setting only affects videos you record after changing it. You don’t have to change it to submit to AFV; it’s a fallback if an upload of an older clip keeps failing (see Troubleshooting).

How to Submit Your Video to AFV From an iPhone

AFV’s upload page walks you through three stages, labeled Select Video, Upload Video, and TV Release Form. Here’s what to do at each one.

1. Open the upload page. Open Safari and go to afv.com/upload. You can also go to afv.com and tap Upload Video. Expected result: A page headed “Upload Your Video for the chance to Win $100,000” opens.
2. Tap the upload box. The box reads “Drag ‘n’ drop a video here, or click to select one from your computer.” On an iPhone, just tap it. Expected result: iOS shows a menu of places to pick a file from.
3. Choose your clip. Tap the photo library option (it’s usually labeled Photo Library), then tap your trimmed video. Depending on your iOS version, you may need to tap Add or Choose to confirm. If you saved the clip to the Files app instead, pick the files option. Expected result: The video appears as selected on the upload page. iOS may show a short “Compressing” or “Preparing” message first.
4. Add a title. In Video Title (required), type a short, descriptive title, such as “Dog steals birthday cake.”
5. Add a description. In Video Description (required), explain what happens in a sentence or two: who is in the clip, where it was filmed, and what makes it funny. Reviewers watch a huge number of clips, so a clear description helps.
6. Continue to the next stage. Tap the button to move on. Expected result: The upload starts, and you move toward the TV Release Form stage.
7. Complete the TV Release Form. Fill in every required field accurately and read the terms before you agree. See the next section for what the form is for.
8. Submit and wait. Submit the form and keep Safari open, with your iPhone unlocked, until you see a confirmation. Expected result: The site confirms your submission. Take a screenshot of the confirmation for your records.

The exact button names on the upload form can change when AFV updates its site. If a label looks different from what’s described here, follow the on-screen prompts in the same order: pick the video, add a title and description, then complete the release form.

About the TV Release Form

A release form is a legal agreement that gives the show permission to use your video. AFV needs it before a clip can be considered for broadcast, which is why it’s part of the upload process rather than something you handle later.

• Use your real, current contact details. If your clip is chosen, AFV needs to be able to reach you.
• Read what you’re agreeing to. The release explains how AFV can use your footage. The Contest Rules and the Terms of Use linked at the bottom of every AFV page have the full details.
• Only sign for footage you have rights to. If a friend filmed the clip on their phone, they’re the one who should submit it, or you should get their permission first.
• Minors should not sign alone. If the person submitting is under 18, a parent or guardian should complete the form.

Submit From a Computer Instead

The iPhone route is the fastest, but a computer can help if your phone upload keeps timing out or you’re sending a longer clip.

1. Move the video to your computer. On a Windows PC, you can follow our guide to transfer videos from an iPhone to a PC. On a Mac, use AirDrop or the Photos app.
2. Check that it plays. iPhone videos are usually MOV files. If yours won’t open on Windows, see how to open MOV files on Windows.
3. Open the upload page. In a web browser, go to afv.com/upload.
4. Add the video. Drag the file onto the upload box, or click the box and select the file.
5. Finish the form. Add the Video Title and Video Description, complete the TV Release Form, and submit.

Which route should you use?

Situation	Best route	Why
Short clip, good Wi-Fi	iPhone in Safari	Fastest; no file transfer needed
Upload keeps stalling on the phone	Computer	Wired or stronger connection, and the phone can’t lock mid-upload
Clip was filmed by someone else	Their device	The person with the rights should submit and sign the release
Long video with one funny moment	Trim on iPhone, then upload	Smaller file and a clip that gets to the point

What Happens After You Submit

AFV’s About page has an FAQ section covering the questions most people have after uploading, including how you’ll know your submission was received, how long it usually takes for a clip to be chosen, how you’ll find out if your video is picked to air, and whether you have to delete the video from your social media pages to be eligible. Open that FAQ for AFV’s current answers, since those policies can change.

A few things to keep in mind while you wait:

• Keep the original file. Don’t delete the full-length video from your iPhone. If AFV contacts you, having the original can help.
• Watch your email and phone. Use the contact details you entered on the release form, and check your spam folder now and then.
• Don’t submit the same clip over and over. One submission per clip is enough. If you think an upload failed, check for a confirmation first.

Tips for a Clip AFV Can Use

• Get to the moment. Trim long setups. A few seconds of context, then the funny part, then a short reaction is a good shape.
• Keep it real. AFV is about genuine home video moments. Staged or dangerous stunts aren’t a good idea, and nobody should get hurt making a clip.
• Skip added music and filters. Background songs you didn’t create can cause rights problems, and heavy filters make a clip harder to use. Send the clip as it was filmed.
• Check the sound. Laughter and reactions add a lot. Make sure the clip isn’t muted.
• Mind who’s in the frame. Everyone clearly visible may be part of what the release covers, so it’s courteous to let them know you’re sending it in.
• Write a clear description. Mention anything a viewer can’t tell from the video alone, like “This is the first time our puppy saw snow.”

Troubleshooting

Nothing happens when I tap the upload box

Reload the page and try again. If the box still doesn’t respond, make sure you’re using an up-to-date version of iOS and Safari, turn off any content blockers for afv.com, or try a different browser such as Chrome. As a last resort, use the computer route above.

My video isn’t in the list when I pick a file

The picker shows your photo library, so the clip needs to be saved to Photos. If it came from a messaging app, open it there and use the app’s save option first. If you use iCloud Photos with storage optimization turned on, a clip that isn’t fully downloaded to the phone may take a moment to load after you select it; stay on Wi-Fi and wait.

The upload stalls or fails partway

• Switch to a strong Wi-Fi network and try again.
• Keep Safari open and your screen on until the upload finishes. Switching apps or locking the phone can interrupt it.
• Trim the clip to make the file smaller, then upload the trimmed copy.
• If an older clip still fails, try the computer route. For future recordings, you can switch Settings > Camera > Formats to Most Compatible.

I can’t get past the release form

Scroll through the whole form and check that every required field is filled in and every required box is checked. Error messages sometimes appear above the field with the problem. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian needs to complete this step.

I’m not sure my video went through

Look for the confirmation message or screenshot you took. AFV’s FAQ includes a question about how you’ll know your submission was received. If you still can’t tell, the AFV Contact page lists the support email address. Include the video title and the date you uploaded it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to submit a video to AFV?

No fee is mentioned anywhere on AFV’s upload page. You just need an internet connection and your video. Be cautious of third-party sites or services that ask for payment to “submit for you.”

Is there an AFV app for iPhone?

AFV’s Contact page mentions a mobile app, but the upload page in Safari works on its own and doesn’t require one. If you do use an official AFV app, the steps may look different; get it only from the App Store listing published by AFV.

Can I submit a video I already posted on social media?

AFV’s FAQ specifically addresses whether you have to delete a video from your social media pages to be eligible. Read the current answer in the FAQ on AFV’s About page before you submit.

How long should my clip be?

AFV’s upload page doesn’t list a length limit. Short clips that get to the funny moment quickly are easier to review and faster to upload, so trim out long setups.

Can I submit a video someone else filmed?

Only with their permission, and ideally they should submit it themselves. The release form is a legal agreement about the footage, so the person with the rights to the clip should be the one who signs it.

Will I get paid if my video is on AFV?

AFV awards weekly cash prizes to top clips, and the amounts are listed on its About the Contest page. How other payments work, if any, depends on the current Contest Rules, so check there for the details.

Can I submit more than one video?

Nothing on the upload page limits you to one clip overall. Submit each video separately, with its own title, description, and release form, and don’t upload the same clip more than once.

Summary

1. Save the clip to your iPhone’s Photos app and trim it with Edit > Save Video as New Clip.
2. Read the AFV Contest Rules to check eligibility.
3. Open Safari and go to afv.com/upload.
4. Tap the upload box and choose your video from the photo library.
5. Add a Video Title and Video Description.
6. Complete the TV Release Form and submit, keeping Safari open until you see a confirmation.

Next step: open the Photos app, trim your funniest clip to the moment that matters, and then head to afv.com/upload in Safari to send it in.