Whether you are a die-hard Instagrammer or love to create fun-filled clips to share with your dear ones, this iOS 26 feature is for you. The latest iteration of iOS has opened the “Cinematic Video” recording feature for third-party apps, marking a major step forward for iPhone videography.
Previously, Cinematic mode was exclusive to Apple’s built-in Camera app, with limited third-party access only for playback and editing. Thanks to the introduction of the new API, developers can fully integrate Cinematic mode video capture into their apps, offering users more flexibility, features, and creative control.
For those unfamiliar, the cinematic mode, first launched with iOS 15, mimics professional filmmaking by creating a shallow depth of field and enabling automatic focus shifts, known as rack focus. Notably, it intelligently keeps your subject in focus while artistically blurring the background. As new subjects enter the frame or the camera shifts, focus transitions smoothly, just like in a movie.
So, Which Third-Party Apps are Likely to Support the Cinematic Video?
Well, the apps Filmic Pro and Kino can let you record cinematic video (subject to their willingness). In terms of functionality, it could be pretty similiar how the feature works in the stock camera app.
How to Record Cinematic Video in Third-Party Apps on iOS 26
Step 1. Update to iOS 26
First and foremost, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 26. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version.
Step 2. Use a Supported iPhone
Cinematic mode recording is available on iPhone 13 and newer. The newer the model, the better the processing and video quality.
Step 3. Install a Supported App
Download or update apps like Filmic Pro, Kino, or others that explicitly support Cinematic mode video recording.
Step 4. Launch the App and Select Cinematic Mode
Open the app, look for the Cinematic video option or mode selector, and start recording. Interface and settings may vary slightly by app.
Step 4. Record, Edit, and Export
Once recorded, you can adjust focus points and depth-of-field settings directly within the app—no need to switch back to the Photos app.
With this new API, iOS 26 empowers filmmakers, content creators, and everyday users to shoot cinematic-quality videos in the camera app of their choice. It’s a game-changing feature that brings pro tools to more hands than ever before.
