Apple's newly launched iPhone 14 models include a new Action mode when recording video. Here's everything you need to know about the feature to start taking advantage of it.

action mode iphone 14

What is Action Mode?

In a nutshell, the new Action mode has been designed by Apple to help capture smooth-looking video that adjusts to significant shakes, motion, and vibrations, even when video is being captured in the middle of the action.

According to Apple, it uses the full camera sensor with more overscan and advanced roll correction to achieve this effect.


The feature is built into the iPhone's stock Camera app, and when enabled, should allow you to capture video that looks almost as if you were using a gimbal to do so. Action mode can record in up to 2.8K at 60 fps, and it supports Dolby Vision HDR, ensuring very good video quality.

Which iPhone Models Support Action Mode?

You don't even need a Pro device to make use of the feature, since all ‌iPhone 14‌ models support Action mode out of the box, including ‌iPhone 14‌, ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max. Here's how to start capturing video with it.

How to Use Action Mode When Shooting Video

  1. Launch the Camera app on your ‌iPhone‌.
  2. Swipe the camera mode menu so that "Video" is highlighted.
    record video button

  3. Tap the Action mode button (it looks like a person running) above the viewfinder so that the icon turns yellow.
  4. When you're ready to start recording, tap the red Record button.
    camera

And that's it. Just toggle it on like so, for great-looking video without having to carry stabilizing equipment like a gimbal.

Related Roundup: iPhone 14
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

japanime Avatar
29 months ago

Does anyone know if there is a technical reason this is not included on the iPhone 13 Pros? Since the 14s have the same processor as the 13 Pros, it seems like this should work fine on them.
There's probably no reason this couldn't work on any iPhone released in the past two or three years. GoPro and other sports cams do with tech that isn't nearly as sophisticated as that found in iOS 16.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SteveJobs2.0 Avatar
29 months ago

I think it has something to do with the camera being moved up to 48 megapixels? Not sure tho it is really weird...
That’s not it because this feature is also available on iPhone 14 which has a 12 MP camera. It is most likely Apple wanting to give iPhone 14 some unique features even though iPhone 13 Pro could handle this.

Btw, you can always stabilize the video post recording in iMovie.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jav6454 Avatar
29 months ago

I'm guessing it works by throwing away unused parts of a higher resolution video?
Indeed. From what I have seen, it keep the subject in the center and crops away, using AI, the higher resolution to give you a stabilized video.

Quite neat actually and something already done in iMovie long ago; however, now being done on the fly.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
richie510 Avatar
29 months ago
Does anyone know if there is a technical reason this is not included on the iPhone 13 Pros? Since the 14s have the same processor as the 13 Pros, it seems like this should work fine on them.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
840quadra Avatar
29 months ago
Honestly the 13 Pro did really well without this feature. Essentially could run filming kids on a scooter and the finished video looked as good (maybe better) than a GoPro. Be curious to test this out myself tough!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jav6454 Avatar
29 months ago
The article forgot to mention how this type of video is cropped, which means you don't get full resolution as a normal non-Action video.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

Apple Announces iOS 18.2 Launching Today With These New Features

Wednesday December 11, 2024 5:23 am PST by
Apple has announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will be released today following more than six weeks of beta testing. For the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, the update introduces additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji for creating custom emoji, Image Playground and Image Wand for generating images, and ChatGPT integration for Siri. There is also ...
iphone 17 pro concept render cameras

Major iPhone 17 Pro Redesign Backed by Supply Chain Info, Claims Leaker

Thursday December 12, 2024 4:36 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 17 Pro models will reportedly feature a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module, and now new supply chain information appears to confirm the striking change, according to a Chinese leaker. iPhone 17 Pro concept render Late last month, The Information's Wayne Ma claimed that the rear of the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro...
m4 mac mini hands on

Cloud-Based M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini Models Now Available

Wednesday December 11, 2024 7:34 am PST by
Developers now have access to cloud-based M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini units via MacWeb, a Silicon Valley-based provider of cloud services. The company has launched three configurations of the new Mac mini, powered by Apple's M4 and M4 Pro chips. Developers and IT teams can rent these machines for tasks ranging from basic development to advanced artificial intelligence modeling, providing an...
macOS Sequoia Night Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.2 With New Apple Intelligence Features

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:02 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.2, the second update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that was released in September. macOS Sequoia 15.2 comes over a month after the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1. Mac users can download the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS Sequoia 15.2 adds Image Playground, an app that lets you create...
macbook air m2 13 inch

macOS Sequoia 15.2 Confirms New M4 MacBook Air Models Are Coming

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:54 am PST by
Apple today made a mistake with its macOS Sequoia 15.2 update, releasing the software for two Macs that have yet to be launched. There is a software file for "Mac16,12" and "Mac16,13," which are upcoming MacBook Air models. The leaked software references the "MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)" and the "MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025)," confirming that new M4 MacBook Air models are in...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 With Genmoji, Image Playground, Siri ChatGPT and More

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:03 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, the second major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates that came out in September. The new updates come over a month after Apple released iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General >...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Seeds Second Release Candidate Versions of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration

Monday December 9, 2024 10:06 am PST by
Apple today seeded the second release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, a week after releasing the first RCs. The first iOS 18.2 RC had a build number of 22C150, while the second RC's build number is 22C151. Release candidates represent the final version of beta software that's expected to see a ...