On the latest version of iOS, the Camera app can actually record the music playing in the background while you’re recording video. Kind of weird, but it works. So, if you want to make a video with some background tunes, you don’t have to do any complicated audio overlays afterward. Basically, you just play the music you want from any app—like Spotify, Apple Music, or even YouTube—and hit record. The trick is ensuring your settings are right, or sometimes it’s just a matter of making sure your iPhone is updated because Apple doesn’t exactly make this super obvious.
The end result? You get a video where the music’s there without extra steps or third-party apps. Not perfect in every case—because sometimes the music cut out or the background noise is loud—but generally, it’s a neat little hack. Just make sure the sound settings are correct, and you’re good to go.
How to Record Videos With Background Music on iPhone?
To get this working, follow these steps:
Enable audio recording in Camera settings
- First, open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on Camera. On some iOS versions, you might find a section called Record Video or similar—just look for anything related to audio or sound recording. Because of course, iOS can be a little inconsistent here.
- Find the toggle for Allow Audio Playback. If you don’t see it, make sure your iOS is up to date — newer versions have a better shot at this feature working smoothly.
- Turn on that toggle. This helps the Camera app record the background music along with your video.
This helps because, without enabling this setting, your iPhone won’t capture background audio during video recording. On some setups, this toggle might be off by default, so you’ll need to switch it on manually. Don’t ask me why Apple makes these little things so hidden.
Play your music before recording
- Open your favorite music app like Spotify, Apple Music, or even YouTube.
- Play whatever song or playlist you want to include in your video. It’s best to set it playing before switching to the Camera app.
- Make sure the volume isn’t too loud if you want the background music to be just a subtle boost rather than overwhelming everything.
Important note: On some people’s devices, if the music isn’t playing *before* opening the Camera app, it might not record properly. So, get the music going first, then switch to camera mode. It’s weird, but works most of the time.
Record your video in the Camera app
- Open the Camera app, swipe to Video mode.
- Tap Record and start capturing your video. The music should be audible in the background if the previous steps are done correctly.
- While recording, you can control the music via the Control Center—skip, pause, or change tracks without stopping the video. Just swipe down from the top right (on newer iPhones) or swipe up from the bottom (older models) to access it.
Here’s where it gets slightly unpredictable. Sometimes, switching tracks or pausing music during filming may or may not be captured seamlessly. Trial and error are part of the game here.
If you find the background music isn’t showing up after all this, double-check that your iOS is up to date. Older versions might lack this feature entirely, or it’s just buggy. Also, if the toggle is missing, try rebooting the phone or resetting camera settings in Settings > Camera > Reset Settings.
Because of course, Apple has to make it harder than necessary sometimes. But honestly, on some devices this setup works surprisingly well, while on others, not so much. Worth a shot if you want quick, background music videos without a lot of fuss.
Summary
- Enable Allow Audio Playback in Settings > Camera.
- Start playing your music before opening the Camera app.
- Switch to Video mode and record without stopping the music.
- Control music via Control Center during recording if needed.
Wrap-up
Honestly, not sure why Apple made this so maze-like, but it’s kinda nice when it works. Just keep your iOS updated, make sure the toggle’s on, and start playing music first. On a good day, it’s a no-brainer—recording with background music without extra apps or editing tricks. Fingers crossed this helps, because it’s a little quirky but useful workaround. Just something that worked on multiple machines, so maybe it’ll do the same for someone else, too.