iOS 18 Audio Capture: Spatial Audio vs Stereo

Apple introduced dedicated audio recording configurations in iOS 18, giving users direct control over how their iPhones record sound during video capture. This guide explains how to locate the Audio Capture settings, the differences between Spatial Audio and Stereo recording, and how to choose the right mode for your workflow.

How to Access Audio Capture Settings in iOS 18

To switch between Spatial Audio and Stereo recording formats, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Camera.
  3. Tap Record Sound.
  4. Select either Spatial Audio or Stereo.

Audio Capture Options Explained

Spatial Audio

Spatial Audio captures immersive, multidirectional sound using the iPhone's advanced microphone array. When played back on supported hardware—such as AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, or surround-sound home theater setups—the audio reflects the physical direction and distance of the sound sources in the video.

On compatible devices (such as the iPhone 16 lineup), recording in Spatial Audio also enables the Audio Mix feature in the Photos app. This allows you to edit audio tracks post-capture using presets like In-Frame, Studio, and Cinematic to isolate voices or reduce background noise.

Stereo

Stereo recording captures audio using standard dual-channel (left and right) separation. This mode is best suited for:

  • Standard video editing workflows that do not require spatial metadata.
  • Uploading to platforms that only process two-channel audio.
  • Preserving storage space, as stereo files produce slightly smaller file sizes compared to spatial recordings.

Mono Audio

In the same settings menu, users can also toggle Mono Audio. This reduces all incoming audio to a single channel, which is primarily useful for simple voice memos, interviews where directional sound is not desired, or ensuring compatibility with legacy playback hardware.

Device Compatibility

While iOS 18 brings these settings to the forefront, the ability to record in Spatial Audio requires hardware equipped with a multi-microphone array capable of spatial processing, such as the iPhone 16 series and select recent iPhone Pro models. Older devices running iOS 18 will default to standard Stereo or Mono recording modes.