Play Music While Recording Video in iOS 18

With iOS 18, Apple allows users to keep background audio playing through the device's speakers while recording video in the native Camera app. Previously, switching to Video mode automatically paused any active media playback from apps like Spotify, Apple Music, or Podcasts unless a workaround was used. This article details how this new setting works, how to configure it, and how it impacts the final recorded audio.

The Previous Limitation vs. iOS 18

In iOS 17 and earlier versions, opening the standard Video mode inside the Camera app immediately cut off background audio playback. Users who wanted background music in their videos had to rely on the "QuickTake" shortcut—holding the shutter button while in Photo mode—which limited access to standard video resolutions, frame rates, and camera settings.

In iOS 18, Apple introduced a dedicated toggle that allows continuous audio playback regardless of which video mode or resolution you select.

How to Enable Background Audio Playback

The feature is not enabled by default. To turn it on, follow these steps:

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

How Background Audio Behaves During Recording

Once enabled, your iPhone's media playback will behave differently when operating the camera:

  • Seamless Playback: Starting a video recording will no longer pause your music, podcast, or audiobook. The audio continues playing uninterrupted through the iPhone's built-in speakers or connected external speakers.
  • Microphone Capture: The iPhone's built-in microphones record the ambient sound of the room, which includes the music playing from the speaker. The system does not digitally mix the internal audio track into the video file; instead, it captures the sound as it is heard in the physical environment.
  • Audio Format Adjustment: When "Allow Audio Playback" is enabled, iOS 18 automatically records sound in mono to prevent phase cancellation and audio distortion caused by the microphone picking up output from the nearby onboard speaker. If you disable the setting, the camera reverts to recording in stereo (or Spatial Audio on supported models).
  • Bluetooth and External Audio: If your iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth speaker, the background audio will continue playing through that speaker, and the iPhone's microphones will record the sound from that external source.