iOS 18: Play Audio While Recording Video

With the release of iOS 18, background audio can continue playing through Bluetooth headphones while recording video. Apple introduced a dedicated setting that prevents the Camera app from automatically pausing active media playback, allowing users to record video while listening to music, podcasts, or other audio uninterrupted.

How to Enable Audio Playback While Recording

By default, iOS traditionally paused all active media playback when switching to Video mode in the Camera app. In iOS 18, you can keep background audio playing through your Bluetooth headphones or device speakers by adjusting a native setting:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone running iOS 18.
2. Scroll down and select Camera.
3. Tap Record Sound.
4. Toggle on Allow Audio Playback.

How Background Audio Behaves with Bluetooth

Once the setting is enabled, starting a standard video recording will not halt playback on your connected Bluetooth headphones (such as AirPods).

• Audio Routing: The background audio continues streaming into your headphones.
• Video Sound Recording: Depending on whether your headphones have an active microphone profile engaged, the camera will prioritize capturing ambient sound or voice input without forcing the media stream to shut down. If the audio is routed strictly into your ears, the camera will record external environmental sound without your background music bleeding directly into the video track at full digital volume.
• Full Camera Modes: Unlike previous workarounds that required using the lower-resolution QuickTake shutter button in Photo mode, the iOS 18 setting works natively within dedicated Video mode, preserving access to full resolution (including 4K), specific frame rates, and Cinematic mode.