What is Dual Capture on iPhone, and which iPhones have it?

Dual Capture is Apple's built-in iPhone feature that records the front and rear cameras at the same time into one video, in one movable picture-in-picture layout. It launched with iOS 26 on iPhone 17 and later: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Older iPhones that run iOS 26 (iPhone 11 and later) have multi-camera hardware too, but Apple has not enabled Dual Capture on them. To get dual-capture-style recording on an iPhone 11 through iPhone 16, use a free app like SplitRig.

Does Apple Dual Capture work on older iPhones like iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro?

No. Apple's native Dual Capture is limited to iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. On any older iPhone (including iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro), you need a third-party app like SplitRig to record front and back at the same time. SplitRig supports iPhone 11 and later.

Why use SplitRig if I already have an iPhone 17?

Apple Dual Capture records in one movable picture-in-picture layout, at 24 or 30 fps. SplitRig gives you four layout modes (Picture in Picture either direction, Split Screen 50/50, Single Camera, and Face Mode background removal), eight overlay widgets (seven live metrics, such as GPS speed, distance and altitude, plus the SplitRig logo), an Apple Watch companion, AirPods Camera Remote, and 60 fps in Action Cam.

Is SplitRig free like Apple Dual Capture?

Yes. SplitRig is fully free with no in-app purchases, no ads, no subscription, and no account required. Every feature is unlocked from first launch. SplitRig adds a small, optional SplitRig logo which you can remove free in one tap. Apple Dual Capture is also free, with no logo, but it is built into the iOS Camera app and not available on iPhones older than the iPhone 17.

Can SplitRig record in 4K like Apple Dual Capture?

Yes. On supported iPhones, set the rear camera to 4K in Camera Settings and SplitRig saves your Picture in Picture or Split Screen video in 4K, recorded at 40 Mbps at 30 fps, with the front camera in the same file. SplitRig also adds 60 fps in Action Cam (Apple lists Dual Capture at up to 30 fps), four layout modes, seven live metrics baked into the recording, and support for iPhone 11 and later, all free. Apple Dual Capture runs only on iPhone 17 and later, in one movable picture-in-picture layout.

Comparison

SplitRig vs Apple Dual Capture

Name: SplitRig
Availability: InStock

Dual Capture on iPhone is built in, but only on iPhone 17 and later, and only as one movable picture-in-picture layout. SplitRig brings dual-camera recording with four layouts to every iPhone you already own, from iPhone 11 up.

In short

Apple's native Dual Capture, introduced with iOS 26 on the iPhone 17 lineup, records front and back cameras at the same time. It works on iPhone 17 and later, in one movable picture-in-picture layout, recording up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps into one file. It is built into the stock Camera app, which is hard to beat for convenience if you own one of those phones. SplitRig is the alternative for everyone else, and the step up for iPhone 17 owners: Action Cam at 60 fps (Apple lists Dual Capture at up to 30 fps), four layout modes (Picture in Picture, Split Screen, Single Camera, Face Mode background removal), seven live metrics (GPS speed, distance, altitude and more) burned into the recording, an Apple Watch companion, AirPods Camera Remote, and no time limit at any resolution. It runs on iPhone 11 and later, all free.

Download on the App Store

Free · no subscription · no ads

The top 5 SplitRig vs Apple Dual Capture

Highest frame rate
60 fps in Action Cam
30 fps
Layouts
4 layouts
1 layout
Devices
iPhone 11 and later
iPhone 17 and later
Live overlays
7 live metrics
Not stated
Teleprompter
Built in
Not stated

Show all 13 features

Best resolution4K at 30 fps4K at 30 fps
Saved fileOne synced fileOne file
LensesEvery lensNot stated
StabilizationOff, Standard, StableNot stated
AudioUSB-C and Lightning micsNot stated
Hands-free control4 ways Watch, AirPods, Camera Control, volume buttonsNot stated
Crash-safe savingSaved as it recordsNot stated
Time limitNoneNot stated
Focus and exposureTap, slider, lockNot stated
WatermarkRemovable free, one tapNone
PriceFree no ads, no subscriptionIncluded with iOS
AdsNoneNone
Account and privacyNo accountNo account

Where SplitRig pulls ahead

Works on iPhone 11 and later. That's every iPhone you already own. Apple Dual Capture runs on iPhone 17 and later (iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max).
Four layout modes including Split Screen (50/50), Single Camera (one camera, full screen), and Face Mode (live background removal, no green screen). Apple Dual Capture records in one movable picture-in-picture layout.
Eight overlay widgets baked into the recording: seven live metrics (GPS speed, distance, altitude, pace, goal gauge, sound level, duration) plus the SplitRig logo.
Apple Watch companion app, AirPods Camera Remote and iPhone 16 Camera Control button integration, for hands-free recording.
Built for fast motion and long shoots: Action Cam records at 60 fps, where Dual Capture tops out at 30 fps, and SplitRig's smart recording engine, tuned with Apple's native camera features, gives the best professional performance possible. Made for cycling, motovlog, and action sports.

Split Screen: the Tokyo skyline over a rooftop selfie, shot on SplitRig — Shot on SplitRig. Split Screen.

The Tokyo skyline above, a rooftop selfie below.

What Apple Dual Capture is built for

Every app has its focus. Here is what Apple Dual Capture is designed around, so you can pick the right tool for each shot.

Built into the Camera app on iPhone 17 and later, so there is nothing to install: for a quick picture-in-picture clip on one of those phones, it is always right there.
The familiar Camera app: the same controls and the same Photos library you already use every day.
Apple's own image processing from lens to file, with Dual Capture video up to 4K in Dolby Vision on iPhone 17 and later.

SplitRig
Max resolution
4K at 30 fps, 40 Mbps, rear camera on supported iPhonesthe Picture in Picture or Split Screen file is 4K; the front keeps its own resolution
Frame rates
24 or 30 fps; 60 fps at 1080p in Action Cam24 fps is the cinematic, coolest-running choice
Saved file
One synced file, straight to Photos as recorded (.mov)no export step, no re-compression
Layouts
Picture in Picture, Split Screen, Face Mode, Single CameraPicture in Picture as a Rectangle or a Circle; Face Mode: live background removal, any photo as backdrop; Split Screen 30 to 70%
Lenses
Every lens and zoom level, 0.5x ultra wide to telephotoon iPhones that have those lenses; Action Cam supports 0.5x
Stabilization
Off, Standard or Stable on the rear, chosen per modeAction Cam uses the iPhone's top tier; a 16:9 front is always stabilized
Teleprompter
Built in; script visible only to you, never in the video
Audio
USB-C and Lightning mics, wireless kits via receiver, 48 kHzhot-swap mid-recording; music keeps playing
Hands-free control
Apple Watch app, AirPods shutter, Camera Control, volume buttonsAirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3 on iOS 26; Camera Control on iPhones with it
Live overlays
Seven live metrics burned in: GPS speedometer, pace, distance, altitude and morealso duration, sound level and goal gauge, plus the SplitRig logo
Long-shoot performance
Smart recording engine, tuned with Apple's native camera featuresfor pro-grade performance, with no time limit
Crash-safe saving
Written as it records; interrupted takes return on a recovery card2 s fragments: a take is kept up to its last couple of seconds
Time limit
No time limit, at any resolution
Focus and exposure
Tap to focus, exposure slider, hold to lock focus and exposure
Watermark
SplitRig logo, removable free in one tap
Price
Free; no subscription, no in-app purchases, every feature works from first launch
Ads
No ads
Account and privacy
No account; no tracking, everything stays on the iPhone
Devices
iPhone 11 and later, iOS 26 or later
Apple Dual Capture
Max resolution
4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
Frame rates
24 or 30 fps
Saved file
One video file
Layouts
One movable picture-in-picture layout
Lenses
Not stated
Stabilization
Not stated
Teleprompter
Not stated
Audio
Not stated
Hands-free control
Not stated for Dual Capture
Live overlays
Not stated
Long-shoot performance
Not stated
Crash-safe saving
Not stated
Time limit
Not stated
Focus and exposure
Not stated
Watermark
None
Price
Included with iOS, iPhone 17 onward
Ads
None
Account and privacy
No account needed
Devices
iPhone 17 and later, including iPhone Air

Dual camera apps compared, spec by spec
Feature	SplitRig	Apple Dual Capture
Max resolution	4K at 30 fps, 40 Mbps, rear camera on supported iPhonesthe Picture in Picture or Split Screen file is 4K; the front keeps its own resolution	4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
Frame rates	24 or 30 fps; 60 fps at 1080p in Action Cam24 fps is the cinematic, coolest-running choice	24 or 30 fps
Saved file	One synced file, straight to Photos as recorded (.mov)no export step, no re-compression	One video file
Layouts	Picture in Picture, Split Screen, Face Mode, Single CameraPicture in Picture as a Rectangle or a Circle; Face Mode: live background removal, any photo as backdrop; Split Screen 30 to 70%	One movable picture-in-picture layout
Lenses	Every lens and zoom level, 0.5x ultra wide to telephotoon iPhones that have those lenses; Action Cam supports 0.5x	Not stated
Stabilization	Off, Standard or Stable on the rear, chosen per modeAction Cam uses the iPhone's top tier; a 16:9 front is always stabilized	Not stated
Teleprompter	Built in; script visible only to you, never in the video	Not stated
Audio	USB-C and Lightning mics, wireless kits via receiver, 48 kHzhot-swap mid-recording; music keeps playing	Not stated
Hands-free control	Apple Watch app, AirPods shutter, Camera Control, volume buttonsAirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3 on iOS 26; Camera Control on iPhones with it	Not stated for Dual Capture
Live overlays	Seven live metrics burned in: GPS speedometer, pace, distance, altitude and morealso duration, sound level and goal gauge, plus the SplitRig logo	Not stated
Long-shoot performance	Smart recording engine, tuned with Apple's native camera featuresfor pro-grade performance, with no time limit	Not stated
Crash-safe saving	Written as it records; interrupted takes return on a recovery card2 s fragments: a take is kept up to its last couple of seconds	Not stated
Time limit	No time limit, at any resolution	Not stated
Focus and exposure	Tap to focus, exposure slider, hold to lock focus and exposure	Not stated
Watermark	SplitRig logo, removable free in one tap	None
Price	Free; no subscription, no in-app purchases, every feature works from first launch	Included with iOS, iPhone 17 onward
Ads	No ads	None
Account and privacy	No account; no tracking, everything stays on the iPhone	No account needed
Devices	iPhone 11 and later, iOS 26 or later	iPhone 17 and later, including iPhone Air

Other apps: details checked 2026-09-24 – 2026-10-02.

Common questions

What is Dual Capture on iPhone, and which iPhones have it?: Dual Capture is Apple's built-in iPhone feature that records the front and rear cameras at the same time into one video, in one movable picture-in-picture layout. It launched with iOS 26 on iPhone 17 and later: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Older iPhones that run iOS 26 (iPhone 11 and later) have multi-camera hardware too, but Apple has not enabled Dual Capture on them. To get dual-capture-style recording on an iPhone 11 through iPhone 16, use a free app like SplitRig.
Does Apple Dual Capture work on older iPhones like iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro?: No. Apple's native Dual Capture is limited to iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. On any older iPhone (including iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro), you need a third-party app like SplitRig to record front and back at the same time. SplitRig supports iPhone 11 and later.
Why use SplitRig if I already have an iPhone 17?: Apple Dual Capture records in one movable picture-in-picture layout, at 24 or 30 fps. SplitRig gives you four layout modes (Picture in Picture either direction, Split Screen 50/50, Single Camera, and Face Mode background removal), eight overlay widgets (seven live metrics, such as GPS speed, distance and altitude, plus the SplitRig logo), an Apple Watch companion, AirPods Camera Remote, and 60 fps in Action Cam.
Is SplitRig free like Apple Dual Capture?: Yes. SplitRig is fully free with no in-app purchases, no ads, no subscription, and no account required. Every feature is unlocked from first launch. SplitRig adds a small, optional SplitRig logo which you can remove free in one tap. Apple Dual Capture is also free, with no logo, but it is built into the iOS Camera app and not available on iPhones older than the iPhone 17.
Can SplitRig record in 4K like Apple Dual Capture?: Yes. On supported iPhones, set the rear camera to 4K in Camera Settings and SplitRig saves your Picture in Picture or Split Screen video in 4K, recorded at 40 Mbps at 30 fps, with the front camera in the same file. SplitRig also adds 60 fps in Action Cam (Apple lists Dual Capture at up to 30 fps), four layout modes, seven live metrics baked into the recording, and support for iPhone 11 and later, all free. Apple Dual Capture runs only on iPhone 17 and later, in one movable picture-in-picture layout.

Pick SplitRig if

You own an iPhone 11 or later without Dual Capture, OR you own an iPhone 17 or later but need more than one picture-in-picture layout. For example: a Split Screen for an interview, Face Mode for talking-head content, or live GPS overlays for cycling / driving / running.

Pick Apple Dual Capture if

You own an iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, or iPhone 18 Pro Max, you only need a quick picture-in-picture clip with no extras, and you don't want to install another app.

Compare SplitRig with other apps