In this tutorial, we will show you how to use free iOS apps to record videos from both the front and back iPhone cameras at the same time.
The stock iPhone camera can only record videos from either the rear or front camera at a given time. However, Apple lets developers use an API to add multicam support for simultaneous video recording to their apps.
So, whether it’s for vlogging, interviews, or other purposes you have in mind, here’s how to record from both front and back iPhone cameras simultaneously.
RØDE Capture
- Open the RØDE Capture app and allow it the necessary camera and microphone access.
- Once you’re inside the app, tap Dual Cam and choose Split or PiP (Picture in Picture) modes. Split will show the front and back cameras in each half of the screen, while PiP will put one camera feed in a small box over the other feed, like when you’re on a FaceTime video call.
- Next, tap the arrow button from the top right and choose if you’d like to save the video feeds from both the rear and front cameras as separate video files or combine them into one. The combined video file will have the split view or PiP as you choose in the previous step.
- Hit the dual curved arrow icon to choose which camera view goes where.
- You can also use the zoom buttons, change the resolution, video quality, frames per second, etc., before you get ready to shoot.
- Lastly, hit the record button to start recording with both cameras at the same time.
Note: The first time you start a recording, you will see a popup to allow the app to access your Photos app. Make sure you do that. If you don’t, the video will be saved to the Apple Files app > On My iPhone > RODE Capture.
The Instagram app also lets you record videos using both the front and back cameras, but only up to 30 seconds. So, if you’re happy with up to 30-second video clips, here’s how to go ahead:
- Open the Instagram app, tap the plus button, and choose REEL. You can also select STORY, but that will limit the video to just 15 seconds.
- Tap the Camera option from the top.
- Tap the arrow button and choose Dual.
- Drag the little Picture in Picture window anywhere you like on the screen. Next, you can tap the two curved arrow icon to choose which camera feed goes in the PiP window and which one in the big background.
- Finally, tap the shutter button to record the video using both front and rear cameras. If you choose STORY, touch and hold the shutter button.
- Once you stop the recording, tap Next, and then tap the download arrow button from the top to save the video to your iPhone’s Photos app.
Snapchat
Snapchat is another free app you can use to record video with both front and back cameras. Here’s how:
- Go inside the Snapchat app and make sure you’re in camera mode.
- Tap the two-camera icon from the top right vertical strip to activate Dual Camera mode. You can also choose a video layout style.
- Touch and hold the shutter button to record the video. You can drag the shutter to the left to lock it and have it continue recording.
- Once you stop recording, tap the download button and choose Memories and Camera Roll to save the video to your iPhone Photos app.
Tip: You can tap your profile picture from the top left > settings icon > Memories > Save Button and choose Camera Roll. After this, tapping the download button in step 4 will directly save the video to your iPhone’s Photos app.
Other apps you can try
In my opinion, RODE Camera is the best app to record simultaneously using both front and back iPhone cameras. Additionally, you can try the following apps.
DoubleTake by Filmic Pro
You can tap the X button on the in-app purchase screen and then record videos in dual camera mode for free. However, the app seems like it’s not optimized for iPhone 15 Pro Max, as some of its icons stay cut off from the screen and are untappable.
MixCam: Front and Back Camera
This app lets you choose from different video styles. However, the free version caps the video recording to up to 3 minutes max and also adds a watermark.
Dualgram
It offers multiple video layouts for recording using both front and back cameras, but the free version adds a watermark to the final video.
Multicam Pro – Tri-Camera Rec
The app is super simple to use and lets you record in both combined and separate modes. You can tap the camera icon button in the bottom left to select one of the several exciting video styles. But the free version is limited to just 15 seconds of recording. You will have to make an in-app purchase to remove this restriction.
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