How to record video sound in stereo or mono on an iPhone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Device

iPhone

Shown on

iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Camera › Record Sound

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Apple describes the three choices by how they play back. Spatial Audio is immersive from all directions on supported playback devices. Stereo is separated between the left and right ear. Mono is the same in both ears. If a video is going into an editing program or onto a device that expects ordinary sound, stereo or mono can be the simpler choice.

The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.

Step by step

1. 

   Open Settings and tap Camera

   Camera is in the first group of the main Settings list.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Record Sound

   The row shows the current setting at the right, here Spatial Audio.

   Done

3. 

   Tap Spatial Audio, Stereo or Mono

   The tick shows the active one. The note below says that Spatial Audio records in a 3D audio format, and that the mix can be chosen later when an Audio Mix is selected in Photos.

   Done

4. 

   Decide about Wind Noise Reduction

   It is on at first: wind noise is automatically reduced in recorded video. Apple says this applies on iPhone 16 or later when you record with Spatial Audio or Stereo.

   Done

5. 

   Decide about Audio Zoom

   Also on at first: the recorded audio is focused on the subject when the camera is zoomed.

   Done

Good to know

Music stopping when you start to film is a different switch on this page: how to keep music playing while recording video on an iPhone.

Resolution and frame rate are one row higher: how to change the video resolution and frame rate on an iPhone.

In short: Settings, Camera, Record Sound, tap Spatial Audio, Stereo or Mono.