You want to switch from the rear camera to the selfie camera without stopping your iPhone video. Apple's built-in Camera app does not offer a supported front/back flip button once recording has started. Use the right method below for a continuous flip, a dual-camera recording, or a rear-lens switch.
Use Flip Camera for a continuous switch
This fixes a real front-to-back switch while recording and keeps the result as one continuous video on iOS 15.6 or later. Open the App Store. Install Flip Camera. Then open Flip Camera.
Tap the Record button. While the video is still recording, tap the Flip button. Tap the Stop control when you're done.
Check what the iPhone Camera app can do
Apple's built-in Camera app does not provide a supported way to switch between the front and rear cameras after you tap Record. The current recording controls cover Record, Shutter, Pause, pinch zoom, rear lens buttons, volume buttons, Camera Control, AirPods stem control, and Apple Watch Camera Remote.
On iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, use Dual Capture when you want front and rear cameras in the same video. On other iPhones, stop the clip, switch cameras, and start a new recording.
If the native app does not give you the result you need, try Flip Camera for a continuous flip or Timestamp Camera Enterprise for another app-level camera toggle.
Record both cameras with Dual Capture
Use this on iOS 26 with iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, or iPhone Air when you want front and rear video in the same recording instead of a live flip.
- 1.Open Camera and select Video.
- 2.Tap the Camera Controls button.
- 3.Tap Dual Capture.
- 4.Tap the screen to show the Record button.
- 5.Tap the Record button.
- 6.Tap the Dual Capture button again to turn it off.
Switch rear lenses during a video
This method applies when you want to move between rear camera views, such as wide, ultra wide, or telephoto. It does not switch between the rear camera and the front-facing camera.
Open Settings. Tap Camera, then tap Record Video.
On supported models, turn Lock Camera off. It is off by default, and if you don't see it, your iPhone doesn't offer this setting. Next, open Camera and select Video.
Tap the Record button. While recording, tap an available lens button such as .5x, 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 8x. The exact buttons depend on your iPhone model.
Use another recording app with camera toggles
Timestamp Camera Enterprise is another App Store option when you need an app-level camera switch during recording. Install it from the App Store, open Timestamp Camera Enterprise, allow Camera, Microphone, and Photos access when prompted, start recording, then use the app's camera toggle or switch control.
DoubleTake - Multicam video records two cameras together, such as front and rear, on devices that support multi-camera capture. The App Store listing notes that the app installs on other supported devices but limits them to recording from a single camera, so check the listing for the current device list. Use Camera Visualization or the camera picker to select two cameras, choose PiP, Discreet, or Split-screen, tap record, then use the camera switcher during recording to move between A and B cameras for focus and exposure control.
Snapchat has Dual Camera on supported devices. Open the Snapchat camera screen, tap the Dual Camera icon in the camera toolbar, choose a layout, and use the camera flip button to change which camera is the primary view and which is the secondary view.
TikTok supports Flip before recording. Tap Add Post +, tap Flip on the side panel, or double-tap the video to choose the starting camera before you shoot.
Allow camera access for third-party apps
This fixes recording apps that open but cannot use your iPhone camera.
Open Settings. Tap Privacy & Security, then tap Camera. Turn on access for the app you want to use, such as Flip Camera, Timestamp Camera Enterprise, DoubleTake, Snapchat, or TikTok.
Fix a blocked work or school iPhone
A common cause on a managed iPhone is an organization restriction that disables Use of cameras. Apple documents this restriction for supervised devices and has deprecated it on unsupervised devices, so what you see depends on how your organization enrolled the iPhone.
When that restriction is active, cameras are unavailable, the Camera icon is removed, and the iPhone cannot take photos or videos.
Contact your school or workplace administrator. There is no consumer setting that restores camera recording while that management rule is in place.
Use Voice Control when your hands are busy
Open Settings. Tap Accessibility, then tap Voice Control. Tap Set Up Voice Control.
Tap Continue. In the camera app, say Show names, Show numbers, or Show grid. Say Tap followed by the visible item name or number for Flip, Dual Capture, Camera Chooser, or Record. Voice Control only operates controls that are already visible in Camera or in the third-party app you are using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Camera Control flip the camera while recording?
Camera Control on iPhone 16 models, iPhone 17 models, and iPhone Air includes a Cameras control that can include the front-facing camera. Apple does not list it as a supported mid-recording front/back flip in every camera mode.
Is Dual Capture the same as flipping cameras?
No. Dual Capture records the front and rear cameras at the same time. It does not switch a single recording from one camera to the other.
Can TikTok flip cameras after recording starts?
TikTok documents the Flip button and double-tap gesture before recording starts. Use it to choose the starting camera before you shoot.
Does DoubleTake make a normal iPhone Camera flip?
No. DoubleTake is a multicam recorder. It records two selected cameras together and lets you switch A/B focus and exposure control during recording.