How to Film Your Online Training/Courses With iPhone

If you’re sitting there thinking you need a pro-level setup to launch your course, you don’t. In fact, in one of our recent surveys, hundreds of Uteach creators said they recorded their first training videos using only their phones.

There’s no need to shell out for an iPhone filmmaking course either. Everything you need is already in your hands. Just set things up right, capture clean audio, light your scene properly, and pick up a few simple tricks to make your video feel professional.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make the most of your iPhone to film high-quality online course videos that look and sound great.

Let’s jump straight in.

#1 Plan your course video

We want to start with this part because it might save you from a ton of wasted time later. Before you hit record, grab a notepad (or open your Notes app) and figure out what this video is actually supposed to do. 

Is it a quick welcome message? A full lesson? A walkthrough of a tool you use daily? Whatever it is, define the point clearly. Your shot depends on what you have in your head. 

Once you know the goal, the rest gets easier. Now you can plan how long it should be, what kind of visuals might help, and how much prep you’ll need. 

• If it’s a sit-down talking-head lesson, great - you’ll need a decent background and good lighting on your face. 
• If you’re demonstrating something hands-on, you’ll need to think about camera angles and whether your microphone will still pick you up clearly if you're moving around.

Related: How Much Does It Cost to Develop an Online Course

This is also where you decide: full script or just an outline. 

Some people feel better reading a script (no judgment). In that case, grab a teleprompter app (there are free ones that work right on your iPhone screen). But if you’re more natural when you talk through ideas casually, an outline with bullet points might be enough. Either way, do a couple of dry runs.

Take ten minutes here, plan it out, and you’ll save yourself hours of retakes later.

#2 Set up your iPhone for recording

Before you press Record, here’s a quick checklist we recommend running through.

• Check the storage

Check it. Seriously. Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage and make sure you’ve got plenty of free space, especially if you’re filming in 4 K. Course videos eat up gigs fast, and “iPhone won’t record video” is often code for “you’re out of space.” If you are running out of space, clear out a lot of duplicates sitting in your Photos. 

• Put your phone in Do Not Disturb mode

One rogue notification can ruin an otherwise perfect take. Swipe into Control Center and tap that moon icon. Or, if you’re on Focus mode, set up a custom one just for filming days.

• Set up the grid and the necessary resolution

Now open the Camera app, or whichever app you’ll be using to shoot. If you’re sticking with the stock Camera app, go into Settings > Camera and turn on the grid. This helps you frame your shot better (use the rule of thirds) and keeps things level. 

While you're there, check that the resolution is set to 4K at 30fps unless you have a reason to go lower. And if you’re using something like Blackmagic Camera or FiLMicrophone Pro, do a test run to confirm it’s saving files properly and using the microphone you want.

• Set the exposure

Next: lock your exposure and focus. Once you’ve framed yourself, tap and hold on your face in the camera preview until you see “AE/AF Lock.” This keeps the lighting and sharpness steady, even if you move a bit. Nothing messes up a good video like the camera constantly hunting for focus.

• Make sure your lenses are clear

Yes, really. That little smudge from your fingers can make your whole video look soft and hazy. Give it a quick wipe with a clean microfiber cloth. 

Run through this list every time. In time, it’ll become second nature. But if it’s your first time, take two minutes here - better safe than sorry.

#3 Set up the necessary apps

The next thing we want to lock in is your app setup. Your iPhone’s already solid out of the box, but the right apps can give you more control, smoother edits, and way better audio.

• Recording apps

For recording, the built-in Camera app is fine for most people. But if you want full control (exposure, white balance, bitrate, all that), use something like FiLmicrophone Pro or the Blackmagic Camera app. FiLmicrophone has been the go-to for years, but the move to a subscription model turned a lot of creators off. 

If you've browsed Reddit lately, you’ve probably seen the threads, some swear by Blackmagic, others are holding onto the older FiLMicrophone builds, and then there’s the Cinema P3 crowd. People get weirdly passionate about which app is best. The truth is, all of them are solid, but your pick depends on what you need. If you want full manual control without paying, Blackmagic is a no-brainer. If you’re already used to FiLmicrophone and it works for you, stick with it. Other names that pop up a lot: Beastcam, Moment Pro Camera, Mavis, and Cinema P3. Try a couple, see what fits your style.

• Editing apps

For editing, start with iMovie if you’re new. It’s free, clean, and handles the basics: trimming, adding titles, and picture-in-picture. If you want more layers, effects, and color control, go for LumaFusion. It’s around $30, but it's built for creators. 

• Audio quality apps

A good microphone helps, but you can clean things up after, too. Apps like Dolby On are free and handle noise reduction automatically. GarageBand works if you want more control, EQ, or to tweak voiceovers. Even iMovie or LumaFusion has built-in audio tools.

• Telemprompters

For scripts, teleprompter apps are a lifesaver. Teleprompter for Video and BIGVU let you read scrolling text while recording yourself. You’ll look right at the camera while staying on track. It takes a bit of practice to sound natural, but once you get the pacing right, you’ll wish you used it sooner.

No need to load up on apps, pick the ones that match your workflow, and keep it lean. You can even get away with Apple’s native apps at first, especially if you’re keeping things simple. 

#4 Adjust the lighting

Do not underestimate the power of good lighting. You don’t need a Hollywood setup, but if you’re sitting in a dim room with a ceiling light overhead and a bright window behind you, it’s going to show. And not in a good way.

The goal is simple: 

• Light your face evenly. 
• Avoid weird shadows. 
• And don’t let the background overpower you.

If you’re filming near a window, natural light is your friend. Face the window, don’t sit with your back to it. A cloudy day is even better. That light is soft and super flattering.

Sometimes natural light is not enough. So you need a ring light or an LED panel. Even a desk lamp can work if it’s bright enough and you point it the right way. Light from slightly above and in front of you, not directly underneath or dead center at face level.

For a better shot, you can mess around with a basic 3-point lighting setup. One key light (your main light), one fill light (to soften shadows), and a back light (to separate you from the background). But even one well-placed light can make a world of difference.

Tip: If you wear glasses, test your lighting to make sure you’re not getting massive reflections or a ring of light in each lens. Tilt the light up or off to the side a bit. 

#5 Capture clean audio

Now let’s talk sound.

Yes, it’s equally important. Maybe even more, depending on who you ask. Because people might forgive a slightly grainy shot if what you’re saying is clear and easy to follow. But the second your audio sounds echoey or muffled, people check out. Doesn’t matter how good your content is if it’s painful to listen to.

The iPhone’s built-in microphone is fine for FaceTime, but for actual course videos? You’ll want an upgrade. A simple lav microphone (those little clip-on ones) makes a big difference. It sits close to your mouth, picks up your voice directly, and cuts out a lot of background mess. Plug it in with a Lightning adapter, clip it to your shirt, and you’re already ahead of 90% of beginner setups.

Wireless microphones are great too if you plan to move around, and even those little shotgun microphones that mount right on your phone can help if you’re staying close to the camera. Just test before you commit, record a few seconds, play it back with headphones, and actually listen.

Related: Best Equipment You Need For Creating Your Online Course

Also: pick a quiet spot. Fridges hum. A/C kicks in mid-sentence. Do what you can to control your space, and don’t be afraid to pause and re-record if something crashes in the moment. (Happens to everyone.)

#6 Frame and film

Let’s be honest, bad framing can make a great video feel off. You’re the teacher or the coach, so show up like one. 

• Set your iPhone at eye level. Too low, and you’ve got the classic “up the nose” angle. Too high, and you’ll look like you’re begging the viewer for approval. Eye-level or slightly below keeps it human and direct.
• If you’re using the rear camera (which you should if possible, it’s sharper), remember you won’t see yourself.   
  Quick tip: use your Apple Watch to preview the shot or a mirror behind the phone if you don’t want to play guess-and-check every time.
• Now, look at what’s in the frame. You want some breathing room above your head, and your eyes somewhere around the top third of the screen. No need to be dead center unless you want that straight-on “news anchor” look. Off-center is fine, especially if you're pointing to something or leaving space for visuals later.
• Don’t zoom. Ever. Unless you’re switching lenses (like from 1x to 3x on a Pro model), digital zoom will trash your image quality. Move the phone physically closer instead. Or crop a little in post if you really have to.
• Once you're set up, tap and hold on your face in the preview to lock focus and exposure.

And take a second to check your background. You don’t need a YouTuber studio, just make sure the space behind you doesn’t compete with your content. A blank wall, bookshelf, or tidy desk setup works great. 

Now you are ready to hit record. Talk like you’re explaining something to a friend (one who paid to be there). You can always clean up the edges later. What matters most is showing up clearly and confidently.

#7 Edit on the go or desktop

We already covered apps you can use to edit right on your iPhone, but let’s talk about how to actually approach editing without making it a five-hour marathon.

First things first: don’t try to be Spielberg. Your goal here isn’t to create a cinematic masterpiece. It’s to cut out the fluff, tighten up your message, and make sure everything flows. That’s it.

• If you’re editing on your phone, keep things simple. Trim out long pauses, re-dos, and awkward transitions. Add your name and a title card at the start, maybe a little background music if it fits, and you’re good. CapCut’s auto-captions can save time if you want subtitles.
• Now, if you’ve got longer videos or you’re juggling multiple clips, switching to a computer might be a better move. AirDrop your footage to a Mac, or use a Lightning-to-USB cable and transfer it straight into Final Cut, Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve, whatever you’re comfortable with.

One big tip: edit in chunks. Don’t try to tackle a 30-minute video in one sitting. Break it down into sections: intro, core lesson, outro. Work through each piece, then stitch it all together. You’ll move faster and feel less overwhelmed.

And don’t forget your audio. Most editing apps let you adjust levels, fade out music under your voice, or add a bit of polish to make it sound tighter. Even small tweaks (like trimming a breath before a sentence or removing a second of dead air) can make your delivery feel way more confident.

Final tips for your iPhone video course setup

Last tip before you wrap it all up: don’t overcomplicate the process. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to perfect everything before you publish a single lesson. You don’t. What matters most is content that actually helps someone.

If you’ve made it this far, you already know how to light a scene, record clean audio, frame your shot, and edit. That’s the core of any solid iPhone video course, and it’s more than enough to start teaching right now.

And do not forget to back everything up. Keep your raw footage, your edited files, your thumbnails, all of it. iCloud, Google Drive, and an external SSD, it doesn’t matter where, just don’t leave everything sitting on your iPhone. One wrong swipe and poof, that lesson’s gone.

Once your videos are ready, it’s time to choose a platform that does more than just play your lessons. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, consider Uteach. You can sell pre-recorded courses, run live lessons, offer coaching sessions, and even create digital products—all in one place.

With Uteach, you also get full control over how learners engage with your content. Add quizzes, communities, hands-on assignments, and more to make your course experience interactive and impactful. 

If you're ready to turn your iPhone videos into a full learning business, book a free demo, and our specialist will help you get there.