How to Take Time-Lapse Videos on iPhone

Updated 10 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To take a time-lapse video on an iPhone, open the Camera app, swipe to TIME-LAPSE, frame your scene, and tap the Record button; tap it again to stop. The iPhone automatically compresses the passing time into a short video, so you do not need to set a playback speed or choose how many frames to capture.

Record a Time-Lapse on iPhone

Open the built-in Camera app.
Swipe through the camera modes until TIME-LAPSE is selected. On some screen sizes, you may need to swipe along the mode labels to find it.
Place the iPhone where it can stay steady, and compose the scene in the viewfinder.
Tap the red Record button to begin. A timer appears while recording.
Let the scene continue for as long as you need, then tap the red button again to finish.
Open Photos and find the new clip in your library or in the time-lapse media category, if shown.

Recording time is not the same as the finished clip’s duration: the phone captures images at intervals and plays them back more quickly. The Camera app chooses the capture behavior automatically, so the interface generally does not offer a manual interval or speed control.

What Time-Lapse Does

A time-lapse condenses change that happens slowly into a video that plays in a much shorter time. For instance, a recording of clouds moving across the sky may show their motion over a few seconds, even though the phone was recording for several minutes. It is useful for subjects with visible gradual movement, such as a sunset, a busy sidewalk, a plant opening, or a craft project.

On iPhone, TIME-LAPSE is a dedicated Camera mode, not simply an ordinary video with a faster playback setting. The camera automatically adjusts how it captures the scene as the recording gets longer. The exact recording interval and final playback length can vary, and Apple’s Camera app does not provide a control for specifying a precise time-lapse frame rate.

This also means that a long recording will not necessarily produce a proportionally long clip. A ten-minute capture, for example, does not promise a particular finished duration; the iPhone’s automatic processing determines the result.

Set Up the Shot for Better Results

Stability matters because small changes in framing are obvious when many moments are compressed together. Set the phone on a firm surface or use a compatible stand, and avoid touching or moving it during the recording. If the phone may be bumped, a stable mount is more reliable than balancing it on an edge.

Choose a scene that changes: Time-lapse works best when there is meaningful movement or visible progress. A completely still subject may look much like a still photo.
Check the composition: Leave room in the frame for moving objects, such as clouds or people, and make sure the phone is not pointed at an unwanted light source.
Plan for the duration: A sunset or construction activity may take a long time to show a clear change. Think about how long the phone must stay in place before starting.
Keep the lens clear: Wipe away fingerprints or dust, especially if the phone has been handled or mounted outdoors.
Consider power and storage: Long sessions use battery and create a video file. Start with sufficient charge and free space, and avoid relying on a nearly empty battery.

For a scene that lasts hours, consider whether the phone can remain secure and protected from weather, heat, and accidental contact. Do not leave it somewhere it could fall, overheat, or be exposed to rain. A time-lapse is not worth damaging the phone or creating a hazard.

Focus, Exposure, and Recording Controls

Tap the part of the preview that matters if you want the camera to focus or meter the scene there before recording. In Camera, a press and hold on the preview can lock focus and exposure on supported versions and devices; an AE/AF LOCK indicator may appear. To adjust brightness, use the exposure control that appears next to the focus point, if available, before starting.

Lighting can change substantially during a time-lapse. A sunset, for example, moves from bright daylight to dim conditions, and the camera may adapt automatically. Locking exposure can help avoid changes in brightness, but it can also leave later parts of the clip too dark or too bright. For a scene with changing light, test a short recording first and decide whether a fixed or automatic exposure is more suitable.

Do not expect the volume buttons or other controls to change the time-lapse interval. They may operate as a shutter control in some camera settings, but they do not turn the built-in mode into a manual intervalometer.

Save, Find, and Share the Clip

When you stop recording, the time-lapse is saved in the Photos library like other camera videos. Open it to review the result, trim its beginning or end with the editing controls, and share it through the usual Photos options. Trimming removes unwanted sections; it does not recreate moments that were never captured.

If you want a specific final duration, check the clip after recording rather than assuming a fixed relationship between capture time and playback time. You can trim the video shorter, but making it longer by slowing it down may produce a different look and does not add real captured detail. For more exact control over interval, frame rate, or playback speed, a dedicated camera app or desktop video editor may offer additional settings, though the available features vary.

Common Problems and Fixes

TIME-LAPSE is hard to find: Swipe across the camera mode names at the bottom of the Camera screen. Make sure you are in the built-in Camera app rather than a third-party camera interface.
The video looks shaky: The phone likely moved during capture. Stabilize it on a firm support and avoid touching it while recording.
The clip is too short: This is normal for time-lapse, which condenses the recording. Capture for longer if you want more of the event represented, but remember that the final duration is automatic.
The subject is blurry: Tap the subject before recording and check that the lens is clean. If the subject itself is moving quickly, time-lapse may not be the right mode.
The recording stops unexpectedly: Check battery level, available storage, and whether the phone became too hot. Close unnecessary activity and let an overheated phone cool in a safe place before trying again.
The exposure changes: Try locking exposure for a short test, or leave it automatic if the scene’s light changes substantially. Neither approach is best for every scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I record an iPhone time-lapse?
It depends on how quickly the scene changes and how much change you want to show. Record long enough for the movement or progress to be clear, and make a short test if you are unsure.

Can I choose the time-lapse speed on iPhone?
The built-in Camera app automatically manages capture and playback speed and does not normally provide a manual interval or speed setting. Use a third-party app or editing software if you need more control.

Can I make a time-lapse from a regular video?
Yes, a video editor can speed up an ordinary video, but that is different from capturing in TIME-LAPSE mode. A regular recording contains many more continuous frames and may take more storage.

Does the iPhone screen have to stay on while recording?
The Camera app continues recording while the time-lapse is active, but avoid pressing controls or switching apps during the session. For a long capture, check the phone’s behavior with a brief test first.

Can I use the front camera for time-lapse?
Camera modes and available lenses can differ by iPhone model and software. Check whether TIME-LAPSE is available after switching cameras; if it is not offered, use the rear camera or another compatible recording app.

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