Some Apple iPhone users are experiencing flickering or blinking video when recording or shooting video on their devices. If you have experienced this, I provide helpful information on how to fix the problem of flickering video on iPhone models, especially iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max which seem to be especially plagued by this issue. Users report that their screens blink and flicker in videos. Mister Mobility has not reported experiencing it on his iPhone SE 2022, though, so it does not seem to be a problem across the board.
What exactly is the flickering video on iPhone about? Flickering, shimmering, or blinking on electronic displays is often a result of a lack of synchronization between the shutter speed/frame rate of the camera and the frequency of the AC power that the lights are plugged in to. This is known as the strobe effect. To prevent shimmering, the video frequency should synchronise with the frequency of the electric current. There are a few easy options to go about this.
Table of Contents
Change to a lower frame rate
The first solution to the problem of blinking or flickering video on iPhone is to use a shutter speed/frame rate that is slower than the frequency of the AC power. For example, in countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the AC mains power runs at 60 cycles per second, so try shooting at frame rate that is lower than that but that syncs with 60Hz. For example, try 30 fps (frames per second).
This is especially a good solution if you are shooting indoors under artificial lighting. If you are unable to do this in the default camera of your iPhone, download and install a 3rd party camera app, like Moment or Filmic Pro. These apps give you more control over frame rates and shutter speed.
Change the shutter speed to match your country’s power mains
If you are not in the US, Canada, Mexico, or any other country using 60Hz current, your country’s mains power likely runs at 50Hz. Simply use shutter speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 or any factor of 50. These synchronise well with 50Hz current and can help fix the flickering video on iPhone.
Shoot or record in PAL format
If you are located outside of North America where your mains current is 50Hz, another way to eliminate the flickering video on iPhone is to do your video recording in PAL (Phase Alternating Line) format, which is widely used in most of the rest of the world. PAL shoots videos at 25 fps, which should eliminate the flickering when recording video with your iPhone.
To change the video recording format to PAL on your iPhone, open Settings, go to Camera, and select Record Video. From the options listed, select any with PAL in it. One option allows you to shoot in PAL format at 1080p quality, and another at 4K quality. Both record at 25 fps. Select one and you are ready to start shooting your flicker-free videos.
Adjust the exposure
Another way to fix the flickering video on iPhone issue is to adjust the exposure: Tap on the area of the screen where the lighting is flickering. This will adjust the exposure and focus settings specifically for that area. The camera will try to balance the exposure and reduce the flickering effect.
Disable auto-brightness
You can disable auto-brightness on your iPhone to stop the flickering video issue. Sometimes, the auto-brightness feature can cause flickering issues, especially when there are rapid changes in lighting conditions. To turn off auto-brightness, go to “Settings,” then “Display & Brightness,” and toggle off the “Auto-Brightness” option.
Lastly
Occasionally, software glitches or temporary issues may cause this flickering video on iPhone problem. Restarting your iPhone can help resolve such issues. Press and hold the power button until the “slide to power off” option appears, then slide to turn off your device. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.
These are the three ways to get rid of the flickering you see when recording a video with your Apple iPhone. If the problem persists after trying these steps, it’s advisable to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance, as there could be a hardware issue with your iPhone’s camera.