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
25 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
25 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
25 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
25 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
25 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
25 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

sonny iphone 16 pro colors

All Four iPhone 16 Pro Colors Revealed in New Image

Friday August 16, 2024 4:14 am PDT by
Leaker Sonny Dickson is back today with a new dummy unit image showing all four iPhone 16 Pro color variants, including the rose gold or "bronze" unit that replaces Blue Titanium in the existing iPhone 15 Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to come in black, white or silver, gray or "Natural Titanium," and a rose or rose gold color replacing Blue Titanium, according to Apple...
iPhone 16 Pro Right Side Feature

The iPhone 16 is Getting a New Button: Here's What It Can Do

Tuesday August 13, 2024 4:01 pm PDT by
Multiple rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it easier to capture photos when the devices are held in landscape mode. Apple calls the button the Capture Button internally, and it is going to be one of the most advanced buttons that's been introduced to date with support for multiple gestures and the ability to respond to ...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Launch Is Just One Month Out – Here's Everything We Know

Saturday August 10, 2024 5:00 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series in the fall, and a possible September 10 announcement date has been floated this year, which means we are just one month away from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

When Is the iPhone 16 Coming Out?

Wednesday August 14, 2024 6:20 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 16 series is expected to debut in September 2024. This release follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. While the exact date has yet to be officially confirmed, the day of Tuesday, September 10 has been rumored as a possible announcement date, and September has traditionally been the month when Apple unveils its latest smartphone innovations. ...
maxresdefault

Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026 With Pricing Around $1,000

Wednesday August 14, 2024 11:30 am PDT by
Apple is moving forward with its project to develop a tabletop robotic device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The device would feature a large iPad-like display mounted on a "thin robotic arm" that would allow the display to tilt and up and down and rotate a full 360º, and it would serve as a "smart home command center," a...
M4 Mac mini Silver Ortho Cooler

These New Macs Are Coming in 2024

Thursday August 15, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
It's almost September, but Apple still has multiple new product launches planned for 2024. New iPhone 16 models and Apple Watches are coming in September, and we're also going to get at least three Mac updates with M4 chips this year, according to rumors. Here's what's on the horizon. MacBook Pro Apple plans to refresh both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4 chips. The ...
T Mobile Generic Feature Pink 1

United States Fines T-Mobile $60 Million for Failing to Prevent Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Customer Data

Thursday August 15, 2024 1:32 pm PDT by
T-Mobile was fined $60 million by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) for negligence surrounding data breaches, reports Reuters. CFIUS penalized T-Mobile for failing to prevent or disclose unauthorized access to sensitive customer data. When T-Mobile merged with Sprint, it signed a national security agreement with CFIUS, which is what led to the fine earlier this year....