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How to Play Music While Recording Video on iPhone: The Definitive Guide

Want to capture those perfect moments on your iPhone, soundtracked by your music, not some generic tune? You absolutely can! And while Apple doesn’t exactly make it screamingly obvious, there are several straightforward methods to play music while recording video on your iPhone. Let’s dive in! The core strategy is tricking the iPhone into thinking the music is just ambient sound it should continue recording, or leveraging clever workarounds offered by apps.

Methods to Play Music During Video Recording

The most reliable methods involve a bit of juggling with the Control Center. Here are a few effective approaches:

Method 1: The Control Center Shuffle (Most Reliable)

This is the “classic” method, and it’s generally the most stable.

Start your music: Open your preferred music app (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.) and begin playing the song you want to use in your video. Ensure the volume is at the desired level.
Open the Camera App: Don’t start recording yet. Just get the Camera app ready to go in video mode.
Swipe Up for Control Center: (Or swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhones with Face ID) Access the Control Center.
Slight Volume Adjustment: Here’s the trick! Very gently adjust the volume using the volume slider in the Control Center. Even a minuscule adjustment can be enough. The purpose is to “wake up” the audio session without stopping the music.
Return to the Camera App: Swipe or tap to go back to the Camera app.
Start Recording: Now, hit that record button! The music should continue playing in the background and will be recorded along with the video.
Stop Recording: When you’re finished, stop the recording as usual.

Why this works: The slight volume adjustment often prevents the Camera app from hijacking the audio output. It essentially convinces the iPhone that the music is background audio that should be captured.

Method 2: Quick Camera Access from Control Center (Potentially Less Reliable)

This method is faster, but its success can be a bit more inconsistent.

Start your music: Same as before, get your tunes playing through your music app.
Access Control Center: Swipe up or down to open the Control Center.
Long Press Camera Icon: Firmly press (or touch and hold) the Camera icon in the Control Center.
Select “Record Video”: A menu will appear. Choose “Record Video.” This launches the Camera app directly into video recording mode.
Record Your Video: Hopefully, the music will keep playing while you record.
Stop Recording: Stop the recording when you’re done.

Why this might work: Bypassing the standard Camera app launch sequence sometimes prevents the audio interruption.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps (Most Feature-Rich)

Several third-party camera apps are designed to allow background music playback while recording. These apps often offer more control and features than the native Camera app.

Download and Install: Search the App Store for apps like “FiLMiC Pro,” “ProMovie Recorder,” or “Mideo.” These are just examples; there are many others. Read reviews carefully before choosing an app to ensure it meets your needs.
Configure Settings: Each app is different, but you’ll typically find settings within the app that allow you to control audio input and output, including the ability to play background music.
Start Recording: Follow the app’s instructions to begin recording video with your music playing.

Why this is different: These apps are designed with more granular audio control in mind, allowing for intentional mixing of music and ambient sound. FiLMiC Pro, in particular, is a professional-grade app with extensive audio and video settings.

Method 4: Screen Recording with Music Playback (Simplest Workaround)

This isn’t technically recording video with the Camera app while playing music, but it achieves a similar result and can be incredibly simple.

Enable Screen Recording: If you haven’t already, add Screen Recording to your Control Center (Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls).
Start Music: Begin playing your desired music.
Start Screen Recording: Open the Control Center and tap the Screen Recording button (the circle within a circle). A countdown will begin.
Open the Camera App: Open the Camera app and start recording your video as if you were taking a regular video.
Stop Screen Recording: When you’re done, stop the screen recording from the Control Center.
Trim the Video: Open the screen recording in the Photos app and trim the beginning and end to remove the Control Center access parts.

The Catch: The quality might be slightly lower than a direct camera recording, but for casual use, it’s often perfectly acceptable. Also, be mindful of your phone’s storage space, as screen recordings can be large.

Things to Keep in Mind

Copyright: Be mindful of copyright laws when using copyrighted music. If you plan to share your videos publicly (e.g., on YouTube or social media), using copyrighted music without permission can lead to takedown notices or other legal issues. Consider using royalty-free music or music you have the rights to.
Volume Levels: Carefully adjust the volume of the music and your voice (if you’re speaking in the video). You want a balanced audio mix where the music enhances the video without overpowering any speech. Experiment beforehand to find the right balance.
App Compatibility: Some music apps may be more compatible with these methods than others. If you’re having trouble, try using a different music app.
iOS Updates: iOS updates can sometimes affect how these methods work. If a method stops working after an update, try another method or search online for updated solutions.
Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Find the method that works best for you and your specific iPhone model and iOS version.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about playing music while recording video on an iPhone:

1. Why doesn’t my iPhone automatically let me do this?

Apple prioritizes preventing accidental audio conflicts. The Camera app is designed to take exclusive control of the microphone and audio output for optimal video recording, which means it often pauses other audio sources.

2. Which music apps work best with these methods?

Apple Music and Spotify are generally the most reliable, but other apps may also work. Experiment to see what works best for you.

3. Will these methods work with Bluetooth headphones or speakers?

Yes, these methods should work with Bluetooth audio devices. Ensure your Bluetooth device is connected before starting the music and recording.

4. Can I adjust the music volume while recording?

Yes, you can carefully adjust the music volume using the Control Center while recording. However, drastic adjustments might cause the music to pause or stop. Make small adjustments to avoid interruptions.

5. Will the microphone pick up the music too loudly?

This depends on the volume of the music and the sensitivity of the microphone. Test your audio levels beforehand to ensure a good balance. Experiment with microphone placement if possible.

6. Is there a way to add music to a video after recording it?

Yes! Many video editing apps (iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush, etc.) allow you to add music to your videos after they’ve been recorded. This is often a simpler and more controllable option.

7. Can I use these methods for live streaming?

Generally, no. Live streaming apps typically have their own audio controls and don’t allow for easy integration of background music from other apps. Some third-party apps might offer this functionality, but it’s not a standard feature.

8. My music keeps pausing when I open the Camera app. What am I doing wrong?

The most common cause is not performing the slight volume adjustment in the Control Center. This “wakes up” the audio session and prevents the Camera app from hijacking it.

9. Will these methods work on older iPhone models?

These methods should work on most iPhone models running recent versions of iOS. However, older devices might have limitations due to hardware or software constraints.

10. Are there any apps specifically designed for recording music videos on iPhone?

Yes! Apps like “Triller” and “TikTok” are specifically designed for creating short music videos. They offer built-in music libraries and editing tools.

11. What if I want to use my own voice while recording with music?

Experiment with microphone placement and music volume to find the right balance. Consider using a separate microphone for your voice if you need high-quality audio.

12. How can I ensure the best audio quality when recording video with music?

Use a good quality microphone (if possible), record in a quiet environment, and carefully adjust audio levels to avoid distortion. Consider using a video editing app to fine-tune the audio after recording.