How to Use Cinematic Mode on the iPhone 13

If you've picked up an iPhone 13, you may be wondering how to use the newly introduced Cinematic mode. Here's everything you need to know.

The iPhone 13 series launched with a brand new feature from Apple called Cinematic mode. Cinematic mode allows you to have more control over the focus in videos shot on your iPhone. It's essentially like Portrait mode for video, but with some extra controls.

If Cinematic mode leaves you itching to pick up your iPhone and start shooting video, here's how to use the feature on your iPhone 13.

Note: Because Apple introduced the feature on the iPhone 13 series, no earlier models have the feature. You can, however, edit Cinematic videos on earlier models or other Apple devices.

How to Access Cinematic mode on Your iPhone

To access Cinematic mode, head into the Camera on your iPhone. Once you're in the Camera, swipe the screen to change the mode, until you see Cinematic in yellow. It's just like switching from Photo to Video.

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You can also tap on the right-hand side of the control panel in the Camera app until you switch to the mode you're looking for.

How to Use Cinematic mode on Your iPhone

Once you're in Cinematic mode, you can change a few settings. Just like always, tap the flash button to turn on the flash, and the 1x button to switch to the Telephoto lens and vice versa.

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Uniquely to Cinematic mode, you can also press the Depth Control button (the little “f”) to control the depth of field effect (the blur) on the video. Drag the slider left or right to adjust it. When you're ready to start filming, press the big red button.

While you're filming, your iPhone will automatically switch the focus to new objects or people that enter the frame. It should also adjust the focus according to where the main subject looks. For example, if you turn your head to the person behind you, it should bring the person behind you into focus.

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You can also manually control the focus by tapping elsewhere in the frame. If your iPhone recognizes another subject, it'll suggest where you can tap with a small white box.

To stop filming, press the red button again. The video will be saved to your camera roll, just like any other photo or video you take.

How to Edit Cinematic Videos on Your iPhone

After you've recorded your video in Cinematic mode, you'll likely want to edit it. Just like any photo or video, head into Photos, or tap the mini image in the bottom right-hand corner.

Specifically for Cinematic videos, you can also edit the depth of field after you've shot the video. To do this, tap the Depth Control button, and drag the slider to your desired depth of field.

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Impressively, you can also change the focus of the video. When your iPhone automatically recognizes another subject, you'll see a white box appear.

Tap on the white box to switch the focus to that object or person. You can change it back as well. Even without a recognized subject, you can still tap elsewhere on the video and the video will refocus to that area or object.

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Of course, when editing Cinematic videos, you get access to the usual editing tools such as trimming the video, applying filters, changing the exposure and other settings, and cropping or rotating the video.

Remember to press Done to save your changes, or Discard to discard them.

You Can Shoot Videos Like Hollywood Too… Maybe

Apple introduced Cinematic Mode for the first time on the iPhone 13 line-up, promising everyone would be able to shoot video like Hollywood, hence the name. But, early tests and reviews noted that the feature has some problems.

It's not surprising that the first generation of the advanced feature has some problems, and these should be fixed in the future with software and hardware improvements. Your iPhone might not shoot videos quite like Hollywood, but it's certainly pretty close.

About The Author

Connor Jewiss (170 Articles Published)

Connor is a UK based technology writer. Having spent a number of years writing for online publications, he is now spending time in the world of tech start-ups as well. Focusing mainly on Apple and news, Connor has a passion for tech and is especially excited by new technology. When not working, Connor enjoys spending time cooking, different fitness activities, and some Netflix with a glass of red.

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