How to Slow Down a Video in Photos on Your iPhone
By Daniel Walker
In some cases, a standard video might be speeding up so the crucial moment is not captured well. Maybe, slow down a sporting movement, make a dance step stand out, add an action shot or enhance a social media clip. Some videos may slowdown in the Photos app on iPhone natively, with the controls available depending on the frame rate of the video, its recording format and version of iOS. If there isn't any speed option in Photos, you can use a video editor for a higher amount of control.
Answer Box: How to Slow Down a Video in Photos
In the Photos app, select your video to slow it down. Click Edit, and then search for Speed control. Slow down the playback and preview. If you're satisfied with the change, save the edited video. Videos shot at speeds higher than 30 frames per second will run at a lower rate of playback for iPhones with iOS 18 or above, according to Apple. The speed controls in regular videos may be different, thus you'll require an alternate video editor for enhanced slow motion.
Part 1: How to Slow Down a Video in Photos on iPhone
When the footage is good, then the Photos app is the fastest way to slow down a video. No other app to install and no video to move to computer required.
Slow Down a Video Using the Photos Edit Controls
Follow these steps to check whether Photos can slow down your video:
Step 1.Launch the Photos app and find the video you want to slow down in your library.
Step 2.Tap the video to open it and view the available playback and editing controls.
Step 3.Tap Edit in the top-right corner to open Apple's built-in video editing tools.
Step 4.Look for the Speed option in the editing tools. On supported videos, iOS 18 and later can provide speed controls for videos recorded above 30 FPS.
Step 5.Select one of the available slower playback speeds. The options may vary depending on the video's frame rate and format.
Step 6.Play the edited video and check whether the motion looks smooth and natural.
Step 7.Tap Done when you are satisfied with the result. Photos saves your edit while keeping the original video available for later changes.
You can also return to the original version later if you do not want to keep the changes. Apple provides built-in editing controls for trimming, speed adjustments, and other video changes.
How to Adjust Which Part of the Video Plays in Slow Motion
You may not want the entire video to play slowly. For example, a sports video might contain several seconds of normal movement followed by one important moment. In that case, you can focus the slow-motion effect on that part when the video supports this editing option. Open the video in Photos and tap Edit. The video timeline shows the section affected by slow motion. You can move the vertical markers to choose where the slow-motion effect starts and ends. This method works especially well when you want to keep the beginning and ending at normal speed while slowing down one important action.
Part 2: What If Photos Cannot Slow Down Your Video?
You may follow the steps above and still not see a speed control. This does not necessarily mean something is wrong with your iPhone.
Why Can't I Find a Speed Control in Photos?
Photos does not provide the same speed controls for every video. The feature depends on the video's frame rate and format. According to Apple, iOS 18 and later can slow down videos recorded above 30 FPS. The available playback options can also vary based on the format used to record the video. This explains why one video may show a Speed button while another video does not. Your iOS version also matters. If you use an older version of iOS, you may not have the same video speed controls that Apple added in newer versions. So, if you cannot find the speed option, first check whether your video was recorded at a high frame rate. You can also check whether your iPhone runs a recent iOS version.
Can You Slow Down a Normal Video on iPhone?
Yes, but Photos might not have the controls you are looking for. The slow-motion video mode is already included in the video record mode, so that high frame-rate footage can be played back with slow motion. A regular video can be recorded at a lower frame rate, e.g. 30 FPS. The fewer original frames, the more the editor has to slow a low frame rate video. The difference is important because slow motion is best used with a source video that has a high number of frames per second to display movement. In some cases, the 120 FPS recording will provide a lot more motion information than a basic 30 FPS recording.
Part 3: How to Make a Normal Video Slow Motion on iPhone
When Photos cannot provide the speed adjustment you want, a video editing app can give you more control.
Use an iPhone Video Editor for More Speed Control
Third-party video editors can let you change the playback speed of regular videos. Many apps allow you to choose a specific speed and apply it to the full clip or only a selected section. This option works well when you recorded a normal video and later decided that one part would look better in slow motion.
For example, you might have a normal video of:
- A football kick
- A basketball shot
- A dance move
- A running action
- A jumping moment
- A product demonstration
- A pet jumping or playing
- A travel scene
You can import the clip into an editor, select the part you want to slow down, choose the speed, preview the result, and export the finished video. The main benefit comes from having more speed options than the Photos app provides for some videos.
Slow Down Video Without Making It Look Choppy
Simply reducing video speed does not always produce smooth slow motion. When you slow down a low-frame-rate video, the editor has fewer frames available for each second of playback. The software may need to repeat existing frames or hold frames for longer. This can make movement look uneven or choppy. Frame interpolation offers another approach. AI Frame interpolation creates additional frames between the original frames. Instead of only showing the existing frames for a longer time, the software analyzes movement and creates new frames to fill the gaps.
Part 4: Pro Tip: Turn Any Normal Video Into Smooth Slow Motion with HitPaw VikPea
If Photos does not provide enough control and you want smoother slow motion from ordinary footage, HitPaw VikPea offers an AI-based frame interpolation option. VikPea's Frame Interpolation feature generates intermediate frames between existing frames. This can increase the frame rate and help create smoother motion during slow playback. HitPaw says its Frame Interpolation feature supports 2X and 4X frame insertion options. This approach can help when you want to turn a regular video into slow-motion footage without relying only on repeated original frames.
Create 2x or 4x Slow Motion From Regular Video
VikPea can create additional frames between the original frames in your video. For example, you can choose 2X or 4X frame insertion and preview the result before exporting. A 2X setting can work well when you want a moderate slow-motion effect. A 4X setting can create a stronger effect for moments that need more time to show movement. The goal is not simply to make the video longer. The frame interpolation process adds frames so the movement can appear smoother during playback.
How to Make a Slow-Motion Video With HitPaw VikPea AI Video Enhancer
Step 1. Open HitPaw VikPea
Launch HitPaw VikPea on your computer and open the main interface. From the left-side panel, select AI Toolbox, then choose Video Frame Interpolation to access the slow-motion tools.
Step 2. Import Your Video
Click the import option and select the video you want to slow down. You can use footage from smartphones, cameras, sports recordings, travel videos, dance clips, gameplay, and other sources.
Step 3. Select the Slow Motion Model
After importing your video, select the Slow Motion Model. This model uses AI frame interpolation to analyze the original frames and create additional frames for smoother movement during slow playback.
Step 4. Choose the Slow Motion Speed
Choose the slow-motion level that matches your project. VikPea supports 2x and 4x slow motion. Use 2x for a moderate slowdown or 4x when you want a more noticeable slow-motion effect.
Step 5. Adjust Output Settings
Configure the output settings based on your needs. You can adjust the resolution, FPS, format, and output path in the basic settings. Advanced options may also let you adjust settings such as bitrate, video encoding, crop, and color space.
Step 6. Preview the Result
Use the Preview option to check the processed video before exporting. Watch moving subjects carefully and check the motion smoothness, details, and any unwanted artifacts created during frame interpolation.
Step 7. Export the Slow Motion Video
Once you are satisfied with the result, select your preferred output settings and click Export. VikPea will process the footage and save the finished slow-motion video to your selected output location.
FAQs About Slowing Down a Video in Photos
Sometimes. Photos can slow down supported high-frame-rate videos. Apple says the playback-speed control works for videos captured above 30 FPS on iOS 18 and later. A standard low-frame-rate video may not show the same control.
The available speed choices depend on the video and its recording format. Photos does not provide one universal slow-motion speed for every video. If you need stronger or more specific speed control, a dedicated video editor can provide additional options.
You can reduce the chance of quality problems by starting with a high-resolution source video and avoiding unnecessary re-exports. High-frame-rate footage can also provide better results for slow motion because it contains more frames. If you slow down low-frame-rate footage too much, the movement may look less smooth.
First, check the video in Photos and see whether the Speed control appears. If it does not, use a video editor that supports speed adjustment. For smoother slow motion from regular footage, you can use a frame interpolation tool such as HitPaw VikPea, which offers 2X and 4X frame insertion.
Conclusion
The easiest way to slow down a video in Photos is to open the video, tap Edit, check for the Speed control, select a slower playback speed, preview the result, and save the video. This method works best when your video meets Apple's requirements for speed editing. If Photos does not show a speed control, check the video's frame rate and your iOS version. Standard videos may not have the same editing options as high-frame-rate or Slo-mo footage. For more control, use a video editing app. If your main goal is to turn ordinary footage into smoother 2X or 4X slow motion, HitPaw VikPea can use frame interpolation to create additional frames between existing frames. This gives you another option when the built-in Photos controls do not provide the result you want. Choose the method based on your video: Photos for quick edits, a video editor for more speed control, and frame interpolation when you want smoother slow motion from normal footage.
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