How to Adjust Video Recording Quality on iPhone & iPad

Reduce video quality to save storage space without sacrificing too much visual quality.

Save massive storage space by choosing the right video recording quality for your needs.

Why This Matters

Video files are the biggest storage hogs on your device:

• 1 minute of 4K 60fps: ~400MB
• 1 minute of 1080p 30fps: ~130MB
• 1 minute of 720p 30fps: ~60MB

Typical savings: 50-75% less storage by optimizing video quality

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Settings

Tap Settings on your home screen.

2. Go to Camera

Scroll down and tap Camera.

3. Tap Record Video

Tap Record Video.

4. Choose Your Video Quality

Select from available options (varies by device):

• 720p HD at 30 fps
• 1080p HD at 30 fps (Recommended for most users)
• 1080p HD at 60 fps
• 4K at 24 fps
• 4K at 30 fps
• 4K at 60 fps

5. Choose Slow-Mo Quality (Optional)

Tap Record Slo-mo and select:

• 1080p at 120 fps (Recommended)
• 1080p at 240 fps
• 4K at 120 fps (iPhone 13 Pro and later)

✅ Done! New videos will use your selected quality.

Which Quality Should You Choose?

For Most Users: 1080p at 30fps

Best for:

• Everyday videos
• Sharing on social media
• Watching on phones and tablets
• Balancing quality and storage

Storage: ~130MB per minute

For Social Media: 1080p at 60fps

Best for:

• Smooth motion videos
• Action shots
• Sports and fast movement
• Better slow-motion potential

Storage: ~200MB per minute

For Professionals: 4K at 30fps or 60fps

Best for:

• Professional video production
• Large screen viewing
• Maximum detail capture
• Future-proofing

Storage:

• 4K 30fps: ~350MB per minute
• 4K 60fps: ~400MB per minute

For Maximum Storage Savings: 720p at 30fps

Best for:

• Very limited storage
• Long recordings
• Basic video needs

Storage: ~60MB per minute Quality: Noticeably lower on larger screens

Storage Comparison

10 minutes of video:

• 720p 30fps: ~600MB
• 1080p 30fps: ~1.3GB
• 1080p 60fps: ~2GB
• 4K 30fps: ~3.5GB
• 4K 60fps: ~4GB

1 hour of video:

• 720p 30fps: ~3.6GB
• 1080p 30fps: ~7.8GB
• 1080p 60fps: ~12GB
• 4K 30fps: ~21GB
• 4K 60fps: ~24GB

Quality vs File Size Trade-offs

Visual quality differences:

• 720p vs 1080p: Noticeable on screens larger than phones
• 1080p vs 4K: Visible on 4K TVs and monitors
• 30fps vs 60fps: Smoother motion at 60fps

When higher quality matters:

• Professional use
• Large screen viewing
• Video editing
• Archival/preservation

When lower quality is fine:

• Quick clips
• Social media (apps compress anyway)
• Video calls
• Everyday memories

Pro Tips

Mix and Match

You can change quality anytime:

1. Before important events: Switch to 4K
2. For everyday clips: Use 1080p
3. For long recordings: Switch to 720p

Use High Efficiency Format

Combine with HEVC (High Efficiency) format for 40% additional savings:

• Settings > Camera > Formats > High Efficiency

Cloud Storage

If using iCloud Photos with “Optimize iPhone Storage”:

• Record at higher quality
• Let iCloud keep originals
• Device stores smaller versions

Our Recommendation

Best balance for most users:

• Video: 1080p at 30fps
• Slow-mo: 1080p at 120fps
• Format: High Efficiency (HEVC)

This provides excellent quality while using 3-4x less storage than 4K.

Works on iPhone and iPad

Video quality options vary by device. Newer models offer more options including 4K 60fps and higher frame rate slow-motion. Check your Camera settings to see available options.

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