The iPhone is an incredibly advanced piece of technology — the kind of device our ancestors would’ve called magic. But for all its power, there’s one small, oddly persistent limitation it’s had for the last 17 years: it couldn’t record video without stopping your music.
Until now.
The Longstanding Problem
If you were listening to a playlist on Spotify or Apple Music and opened the Camera app to shoot a video, your audio would cut out the moment you tapped “Video.” That silence wasn’t just jarring — it was frustrating, especially when the music could’ve added the perfect soundtrack to the moment.
There was a sort of workaround. You could long-press the shutter button while in “Photo” mode to activate QuickTake, a hidden feature that recorded video without pausing your music. But QuickTake videos weren’t full resolution, and it wasn’t exactly user-friendly.
iOS 18 Fixes It — For Real
With iOS 18, Apple has finally addressed the issue properly. You can now record video and keep your music or podcast playing — no hacks required.
Here’s how to activate the new feature:
-
Open Settings on your iPhone
-
Scroll down and tap Camera
-
Select Record Sound
-
Toggle Allow Audio Playback to On
Once this is enabled, any audio already playing on your device — whether it’s music, podcasts, or ambient sounds — will keep going while you record a video.
Important Notes on Audio Behavior
Depending on how you’re listening to the audio, the results can vary:
-
iPhone speakers: Your audio will be recorded in Mono
-
Bluetooth speakers or wired output: Your audio will be recorded in Stereo
-
Headphones (wired or wireless): The music plays, but it won’t be recorded in the video
So if you’re hoping to capture that song in the video, make sure it’s playing through speakers — not headphones.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re filming a quick party moment, creating a workout video, vlogging, or just want to avoid awkward silence during your video recording, this update gives you control.
Of course, if you’d rather not have your music continue during video capture, you can either:
-
Toggle Allow Audio Playback to Off, or
-
Manually pause your audio before recording
A Quick Note on Copyright
One heads-up: If you plan to share these videos publicly (like on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok), be mindful of the music you’re capturing. Using copyrighted tracks could trigger content flags or takedowns, depending on the platform.
Is This Available on All iPhones?
This feature is available for all devices compatible with iOS 18, which includes iPhone XS and newer models. Just make sure you’ve updated your phone to the latest OS.
Apple Catches Up
Interestingly, Android users have had similar functionality for years. So this update finally brings iPhones in line with something that’s been standard elsewhere — but hey, better late than never.
iOS 18 is available now, and this small update makes a big difference in how you record life’s moments. Whether it’s music in the background or just uninterrupted vibes, your iPhone now keeps the soundtrack rolling.
Want more on the latest tech news? Make sure to check out Tech Report.
