How much storage does iPhone video use?

By Con, founder of Music Wide Selfie · Updated 22 October 2026

Short answerYour iPhone shows the estimate itself: Settings › Camera › Record Video lists roughly how much a minute takes at each setting. 4K and higher frame rates use several times more than 1080p at 30 fps.

Check on your phone

Settings › Camera › Record Video shows approximate storage per minute for the options your model supports. That’s the most accurate figure for your phone.

What uses more space

Higher resolution (4K vs 1080p).
Higher frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps).
Most Compatible format instead of High Efficiency.
ProRes or Log modes on supported Pro models, which use far more.

Plan ahead

Before a long shoot, check free space in Settings › General › iPhone Storage. Our recording time calculator estimates how many minutes fit.

Free up space

Offload or delete apps you don’t use.
Delete or back up old videos.
Use iCloud Photos with Optimise iPhone Storage.

Questions

Does iCloud free up space automatically?

With Optimise iPhone Storage on, full-size originals live in iCloud and smaller versions stay on the phone when space is low.

About Music Wide Selfie

An iPhone camera app for people who film themselves, coming soon to the App Store. One email when it launches.

One email when the app is ready. Nothing else.