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    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Use iPhone Action Mode for Smooth Video

    Action Mode on iPhone 14 and newer dramatically reduces camera shake when recording video while walking, running, or moving. Here's how to turn it on.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Phone & Tablet
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    iphone
    action mode
    video
    stabilization
    iphone 14
    camera
    ios

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Open the Camera App and Select Video
    2. 2.Turn On Action Mode
    3. 3.Start Recording
    4. 4.Enable Action Mode in Low Light (Optional)
    5. 5.Review and Share Your Video
    1

    Open the Camera App and Select Video

    ~15s
    Open the Camera app on your iPhone 14 or newer. Swipe the mode options at the bottom until Video is selected. Make sure you are using the rear camera (tap the camera flip icon if needed).
    2

    Turn On Action Mode

    ~22s
    Look at the top of the viewfinder for a small icon that looks like a person running. This is the Action Mode button. Tap it once to turn Action Mode on — the icon will turn yellow when it is active.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If you do not see the running figure icon, make sure you are in the standard Video mode (not Cinematic, Slo-Mo, or Time-Lapse).

    3

    Start Recording

    ~20s
    Tap the red Record button as normal. Walk, run, or follow your subject — the camera will stabilize the footage automatically. The viewfinder will look slightly more zoomed in than usual, which is normal.

    Warning

    Action Mode works best in bright conditions. In dimly lit spaces, you may see a notification that says "Action Mode requires more light" and the stabilization will be limited.

    4

    Enable Action Mode in Low Light (Optional)

    ~18s
    If you want to use Action Mode in lower light conditions, go to Settings > Camera > Record Video. Look for "Action Mode Lower Light" and turn it on. This lets Action Mode run in dim conditions, though the video may be slightly less sharp than in bright light.
    5

    Review and Share Your Video

    ~18s
    After recording, tap the thumbnail in the bottom-left corner to view your video in the Photos app. Action Mode footage can be shared, edited, and exported like any other video. The stabilization is applied in real time and is already baked into the saved video — no extra processing step is needed.

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    Action Mode is a video recording feature introduced on the iPhone 14 that uses advanced digital image stabilization to keep your video smooth even when the camera is moving a lot. If you have ever tried to film while walking, running, or following a fast-moving subject, you know how shaky the results can be. Action Mode dramatically reduces that shake, producing video that looks much steadier without needing a tripod or gimbal.

    Action Mode works by using more of the camera sensor than normal and then cropping and stabilizing the image in real time. The trade-off is that the video is slightly more zoomed in than standard video. And it works best in good lighting. In very low light, the stabilization may be less effective.

    The feature is available on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and all newer models. It works on the main (rear) camera only, not the front-facing camera. You need to be using the standard video mode. It does not appear in Cinematic Mode or Slow Motion mode.

    Action Mode is ideal for recording children playing sports, walking tours, hiking videos, concerts, or any other situation where the camera is constantly moving. It produces results that would previously have required an expensive stabilizer device.

    Turning it on takes a single tap. And you can switch it on or off mid-session depending on what you are filming.

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    iphone
    action mode
    video
    stabilization
    iphone 14
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    ios

    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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