The video quality you can achieve today with an iPhone is impressive., but if you're looking to take things a step further and get closer to professional production levels, recording in the Apple ProRes format is your best bet. This feature, reserved for the latest Pro models and highly sought after by content creators, filmmakers, and video enthusiasts, puts the ability to capture images with exceptional fidelity and advanced editing options that once seemed like something from a film studio. Today we will see How to record ProRes video with your iPhone.
Many users are unaware of how to activate and take advantage of the powerful ProRes mode on the iPhone., which devices it's available on, and what the recording requirements and limitations are. Here, we'll explain, step by step and without hesitation, everything you need to know to get the most out of Apple ProRes, from activating the option to editing or transferring these large files. If quality is your thing and you want video with virtually no compression and complete creative freedom for your clips, keep reading because this is for you.
What is Apple ProRes and why should you use it on your iPhone?
Apple ProRes is a professional video encoding format Designed to offer a perfect balance between image quality and editing performance. When recording in ProRes, your iPhone stores significantly more information than conventional formats like HEVC or H.264, allowing you to work with more flexible footage, more vibrant colors, and virtually no loss of quality during post-production.
This format is widely used in the film industry and television because it's capable of maintaining details, textures, color fidelity, and nuances even after multiple editing processes. Although it sounds very professional, any user with a compatible iPhone can take advantage of it.
The main advantage of ProRes over other formats is that it reduces compressionThis means that videos take up more storage space, but in return, you'll get much cleaner images, with fewer artifacts and fully optimized for any professional editing software, whether Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, or similar.
If you're a video creator, vlogger, mobile journalist, or want to shoot everything from documentaries to short films and commercials with superior image quality, ProRes is a must-have feature. And not just on the rear camera: you can also take stunning selfies, although this mode isn't available in slow motion, Cinema mode, or Time-Lapse.
ProRes compatible devices and prerequisites
Before you start recording, it is important that you know Which iPhone models support ProRes and what requirements you must meet?. This feature is currently available on the following phones:
- iPhone 16 Pro y iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
Not all iPhone models support ProRes.. Additionally, you must have iOS 15.1 or higher installed. If you have a model with limited storage, such as the 128 GB model, take note: in these cases, ProRes recording is limited to 1080p at 30 fps in internal storage, although by connecting an external device you can record videos in 4K (we will explain how later).
The iPhone must have at least 10% free space. to start recording in ProRes. If the available space during recording is less than five minutes of video, the Camera app may automatically free up space. And be careful, because ProRes files They can occupy up to 6 GB per minute in 4K, depending on the mode.
Why is ProRes so appreciated by professionals and creators?
Recording in ProRes is a real marvel because it brings you closer to a Near-cinematic image quality straight from the iPhoneForget about the typical giant, expensive, and difficult-to-transport recording cameras. With your phone and this feature, you can generate professional-looking videos for both large productions and quick projects: vlogs, documentaries, commercials, social media content, and much more.
The key is that ProRes maintains high image quality by reducing compression compared to traditional formatsThis translates into more detail, more accurate colors, smooth gradations, and improved editing performance. Ideal if you want to make color adjustments, effects, transitions, or put together an elaborate script in your favorite software.
Furthermore, ProRes is compatible with a wide range of editing applications both from Apple (Photos, iMovie, Final Cut Pro) and third parties (Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve), and is perfectly recognizable on any modern Mac, iPad Pro or even Windows, so it offers enormous flexibility in your workflow.
By keeping files at a reasonable size for the quality offered (although much larger than HEVC), transferring to external drives or uploading to the cloud is faster than working with traditional RAW files.
The result? Professional images and videos captured with maximum mobility and speed, without sacrificing quality, even if you shoot outdoors or in situations where you need lightness and efficiency.
How to Enable Apple ProRes on Your iPhone – Initial Setup
To start recording with ProRes, you must first activate the option from the iPhone settingsIt's a simple process, but it's essential for the ProRes button to appear in the Camera app. Follow these steps:
- Open the app Settings.
- Scroll down until you find Camera and access.
- Click on the section Formats.
- Activate the option Apple ProResIf the switch appears disabled, tap it until it turns green (enabled).
Once this is done, you're ready to record in ProRes whenever you need it. If you ever want to save space or don't need that much quality, just turn it off again from here.
Steps to record videos in Apple ProRes with your iPhone
With the option now enabled in Settings, recording your videos in ProRes is even easier. Simply follow this procedure each time you want to capture a new video:
- Open the app Camera from the home screen.
- Select the video mode.
- You will see an icon or button with the legend ProRes (usually at the bottom or on the side). Tap it to activate it: when it's colored or checked, it means you'll record in that format.
- Press the red button recording, or if you prefer, use any of the volume buttons to get started.
- You can pinch on the screen to zoom, switch between lenses (0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x depending on your model), or hold the lens selector and swipe to precisely control the zoom.
- To stop recording, press the record button or one of the volume buttons again.
- When you want to stop ProRes mode and return to conventional formats, simply disable the option by tapping the corresponding button.
With these simple steps, you'll have your clips ready in professional format, ready to edit and share on any platform.
ProRes recording resolutions and speeds: What formats does your iPhone support?
Format compatibility varies depending on the iPhone model and storage capacity. Below are the common options:
- iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max (256GB storage or higher):
– 1080p HD at 60, 30 and 25 fps
– 4K at 30, 25 and 24 fps
– 4K at 60 fps (requires recording to a compatible USB-C external storage device)
– 4K at 120 fps (exclusive to iPhone 16 Pro, only with external storage that meets speed and power requirements) - 128GB iPhone:
– 1080p at 30 and 25 fps (on internal storage)
– 4K up to 60 fps (iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro, with external storage only)
– 4K at 120 fps (iPhone 16 Pro, also with fast external storage)
To take advantage of 4K at higher frame rates, it's essential to connect your iPhone to a compatible, fast external drive (SSD, flash drive, etc.). Make sure you have a high-speed USB 3.0 cable (at least 10 Gbps) and that the drive is formatted as exFAT. Password-encrypted drives are not supported.
How to record ProRes directly to an external device
The ability to record ProRes directly to an external drive is one of the biggest advantages of the new iPhone Pro. This solves the format's biggest hurdle: file size. If you have an iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro, or later, follow these steps:
- Connect the USB-C external drive to the iPhone.
- Make sure it is formatted in exFAT and supports write speeds of at least 220 MB/s (for 4K60) or 440 MB/s (for 4K120).
- Open the Camera app, select Video mode and activate ProRes.
- In the options, select external storage as the destination.
- Start recording as usual.
- Once finished, you'll be able to access your videos using the Files app or from a connected drive.
Recording to external devices allows you to take advantage of maximum quality and duration which offers the ProRes format, ideal for ambitious projects or automatic backups without worrying about the available space on your iPhone.
What limitations and precautions should you take into account?
Apple ProRes Not available in Slow Motion, Cinema, or Time-Lapse modes. And due to the high storage requirements, the system displays the maximum remaining recording time on screen based on available space, to prevent recording from being cut off unexpectedly.
If you see that you have very few minutes of recording, It is essential to free up space on your iPhone or external drive. You can do this by deleting other videos or large files, or by upgrading to an iCloud plan if you want to save clips to the cloud.
It should be emphasized that ProRes files can be up to 30 times larger than HEVC, so keep that in mind if you're transferring them to a Mac, PC, or external drive, or if your internet connection isn't fast enough to upload them to the cloud.
To record videos in ProRes, you need at least 10% of the total space on your device free. If the system detects that there isn't enough space for five more minutes of recording, it will automatically attempt to free up space. If it can't, the recording will be interrupted.
For external drives, always be sure to format them before your 4K120 recording session to ensure optimal performance. Use quality cables and verify that the storage meets the above requirements before recording to avoid error messages about insufficient speed.
How to edit and share your videos in ProRes
The magic of ProRes doesn't end when the recording is complete: Its true potential is appreciated when editing and sharing videos.These files are recognized by most professional editing applications, allowing you to apply effects, color correction, and all kinds of adjustments with maximum fidelity.
You can edit your videos from the app Photos o iMovie on the iPhone itself, on iPad or Mac, and even in professional apps like Final Cut Pro o Adobe Premiere on Mac and PC. If you prefer, you can transfer them to other devices using a USB-C cable, Lightning (on older models), AirDrop between iPhones, iPads, and Macs, or use the Files app to copy to external drives.
To share them, in addition to AirDrop and the methods mentioned above, you can also use iCloud Photos (if you have enough space), although there are limits on the maximum file size, or connect your iPhone to your computer and use the Image Capture app on your Mac.
Please note that if you transfer a ProRes file to an unsupported device, it may be automatically converted to HEVC or H.264 for greater compatibility and smaller file size.
Tips to get the most out of ProRes mode on your iPhone
If you're thinking about using ProRes regularly, here are some key tips based on the experience of professionals and advanced users:
- Invest in sufficient storage, whether in the cloud or on fast external drives, so you don't get caught out due to lack of space.
- Monitor the maximum screen recording time before starting each important shot.
- Always check the compatibility of your editing software and your devices if you're going to transfer or edit videos outside the Apple ecosystem.
- Use professional headphones and accessories If you shoot content for film, TV, or advertising and want to really take advantage of the quality of ProRes.
- If you need to extend your recording time, delete old recordings or make room periodically.
The ProRes option can be easily turned on or off. depending on the type of recording you are going to make, allowing you to optimize storage usage and quality according to your needs.
Thanks to the popularization of ProRes on iPhones, today anyone can access film and television industry standards with the mobility of a pocket-sized device. Mastering this option is key to maximizing your creativity and elevating the quality of your videos. at a level that, until recently, was only within reach of professionals and high budgets.