Bicameral User Guide
Record video and capture photos with two cameras at once. Three layouts, a vertical and a horizontal video from one take, a built-in teleprompter, and fully on-device processing.
Table of Contents
Getting Started
What is Bicameral?
Bicameral is an iPhone and iPad app that records video and captures photos with two cameras at the same time, combined into one file in the layout you choose. Use the front and rear cameras together or, with Pro, the Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses in any pairing. Everything is processed entirely on your device — there are no accounts and nothing is uploaded.
Which devices does Bicameral support?
iPhone and iPad with iOS 26 or later. Recording two cameras at once requires hardware that supports multi-camera capture — iPhone XS and XR or later, and recent iPad models. On other devices, Bicameral records one camera at a time.
Does Bicameral work on iPad?
Yes. Bicameral runs on iPad in any orientation, and Center Stage works on the selfie camera of supported iPad models (Pro).
Is an internet connection required?
No. All capture and processing happens entirely on your device. An internet connection is only needed for purchasing or restoring a Pro subscription and for syncing settings via iCloud.
What happens during first launch?
You will see a brief onboarding flow: a welcome overview, permission requests for camera and microphone access (both required), an optional choice to keep on-device diagnostic logs, and a summary of what your device supports. After onboarding, you go directly to the camera screen.
What's on the camera screen?
The live preview shows both cameras exactly as they will be saved. Tap the composition pill to choose cameras, layout, and formats. The Tools button next to the shutter opens the timer, script, guides, selfie, microphone, layout, and camera controls. You'll also find the mode selector (VIDEO or PHOTO), the swap, zoom, and flash buttons, and a thumbnail of your last capture.
Recording Video
How do I record a video?
Choose VIDEO in the mode selector and tap the red shutter button. The elapsed time appears at the top. Tap the shutter again to stop — on takes longer than five seconds, tap a second time to confirm, so a stray touch can't end a take. Your video is saved automatically to your chosen destination.
Can I pause, or take a photo while recording?
Yes. Tap the pause button to pause and again to resume — both parts are saved as one video. Tap the photo button that appears while recording to take a photo of the combined view without stopping.
What video formats, resolutions, and frame rates are supported?
Choose High Efficiency (HEVC, the default, about half the file size) or Most Compatible (H.264) in Settings > Saving & Sharing > Formats > Video Format; 4K always uses HEVC. Free records 1080p at 30 fps. Pro adds 4K, 24, 30, or 60 fps (60 fps at 1080p), and High and Maximum quality up to 80 Mbps at 4K. Available options depend on your device.
Is there a recording time limit?
No. Duration is limited only by available storage space and device temperature. Bicameral saves your take automatically before storage runs out, and Settings > Recording > Storage Remaining shows how much recording time is left.
What happens if I switch apps, lock my phone, or get a call while recording?
iOS only allows its built-in Camera app to capture video in the background, so Bicameral can't continue recording once another app takes over the screen or the device locks. Interruptions like these stop the recording and save the take. When you return to Bicameral, the camera session resumes and you can start a new recording.
My recording was discarded. What happened?
Very short recordings (under approximately 1 second / 30 frames) are automatically discarded to prevent accidental captures from double-taps or brief button presses.
What happens to orientation during recording?
Bicameral records in portrait or landscape on iPhone and any orientation on iPad, and the preview and controls follow the device. Turn on Settings > Recording > Lock Orientation When Recording to keep the live preview fixed during a take; saved videos and photos are not affected.
Capturing Photos
How do I take a photo?
Choose PHOTO in the mode selector and tap the white shutter button. Both cameras are captured and combined into a single image in the current layout, and the photo is saved automatically.
What photo formats and resolutions are supported?
HEIF by default, or JPEG (Settings > Saving & Sharing > Formats). Combined photos are up to 12 megapixels. Photos are always one format, even with Vertical + Horizontal turned on.
Cameras and Layouts
What layouts are available?
Three layouts: Picture-in-Picture, where one camera fills the frame and the other appears as an inset; Side by Side, with the cameras left and right at 50/50; and Top & Bottom, with the cameras stacked at 50/50. Choose a layout in Composition (tap the composition pill) or in Tools > Layout. Side by Side and Top & Bottom need two cameras.
How do I swap which camera is the main view?
Tap the swap button, or Swap Cameras in Composition. In Picture-in-Picture, this swaps the main view and the inset. In the split layouts, it swaps the two sides. You can't swap cameras or change the layout while recording.
Can I use the Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses?
Yes, with a Pro subscription, in any pairing your device supports — for example Wide + Ultra Wide, or Telephoto + Selfie. Choose them with Choose Cameras in Composition. The free version uses the Wide and Selfie cameras.
Can I customize the Picture-in-Picture inset?
Yes, with a Pro subscription. Drag the inset on the preview to any corner, and in Settings > PiP & Branding > PiP Appearance adjust its size (Small or Large), shape (rectangle or circle), corner radius (none to extra large), border style and color, and drop shadow. Changes apply to your next recording.
Vertical + Horizontal (Pro)
Can I get a vertical and a horizontal video from one take?
Yes, with a Pro subscription. Choose Both Formats in Composition, or turn on Settings > Video Quality > Vertical + Horizontal. Every video is also saved in the other shape — a 16:9 copy of an upright video, or a 9:16 copy of a sideways one.
Which cameras does the second video use?
Choose a Source: Both Cameras (both files show both cameras), Same Lens (both files come from the main camera only — the lightest option for long takes), or Wide + Ultra Wide (the main file from the main lens, the other format from the Ultra Wide). Copy layout can match the main file or use PiP or Split.
How do I frame the second video?
A band on the preview shows the copy's frame. Drag it to reframe, even while recording, or turn on Follow Faces to keep people in frame automatically. Follow Faces is available when both files use picture-in-picture and the main camera isn't using Center Stage.
Tools and Teleprompter
Where are the timer, guides, and other controls?
Tap Tools next to the shutter to open a column of controls: Timer, Script, Guides (Pro), Selfie (mirroring and Center Stage, Pro), Microphone, Layout, and Cameras. Each appears only where it applies — Timer, Script, and Microphone are video-only.
How do I use the countdown timer?
In video mode, open Tools > Timer and choose Off, 3s, 5s, or 10s. The Tools button shows the chosen time. When you tap the shutter, the countdown runs and recording starts. Tap Cancel to stop the countdown. Countdown ticks use haptics and an optional sound (Settings > Recording > Countdown Sound).
Does the countdown work in photo mode?
No. The countdown timer is only available in video mode.
How do I use the teleprompter?
The teleprompter is free. Open Tools > Script > Edit to type or paste your script and set its text size and scroll speed. The script scrolls beside the lens when recording starts, pauses when you pause, and returns to the top when you stop. While recording, double-tap the script to pause or resume scrolling, and swipe up or down to change the speed. Mirror Text reverses the text for glass beam-splitter rigs. Your script stays on your device and is never recorded.
Zoom, Flash, and Stabilization
Can I zoom?
Yes. Tap the zoom button for presets — zoom works while recording, too. Zoom is off while Center Stage frames the selfie camera.
How do I turn on the flash?
Tap the flash button. In video mode it turns the rear torch on or off; in photo mode it sets the flash. The flash button only appears when the active rear camera has flash hardware — it is not available for the front camera.
Is there video stabilization?
Yes, for the rear camera, in Settings > Recording > Stabilization: Off, Standard, or Cinematic (Pro, smoother). The front camera is never stabilized, so the selfie view isn't cropped.
Focus, Exposure, and Hardware Controls
How do I set the focus point?
Tap anywhere on the live preview. A focus indicator appears briefly at that location, and the camera adjusts focus and exposure for that area.
How do I lock focus and exposure?
This is a Pro feature. Turn on Settings > Camera Controls > Focus & Exposure Lock. Then press and hold the preview (about half a second) to lock auto-exposure and auto-focus at that point. "AE/AF LOCK" appears along with an exposure slider. Press and hold somewhere else to move the lock, or tap to unlock and focus where you tapped.
Can I use hardware buttons to capture?
Yes. The volume buttons, Camera Control, the Action Button, and AirPods (press the stem) all trigger capture. In video mode they start or stop recording; in photo mode they take a photo. AirPods captures play a sound, since you may not be looking at the screen.
Audio
Can I choose the microphone?
Yes. Open Tools > Microphone before you record — the microphone can't change during a take. Stereo & Wind Reduction (Settings > Recording) records stereo with wind noise reduction from the built-in microphone on supported devices.
What happens if my external microphone disconnects?
Recording continues on the built-in microphone, and a message lets you know.
Can I see audio levels?
Yes, with a Pro subscription. Turn on Settings > Camera Controls > Audio Level Display for a live audio meter while recording.
Saving and Exporting
Where are my videos and photos saved?
By default, they are saved to your Photos library. You can change this in Settings > Saving & Sharing > Save To. Options are: Photos, Files (Bicameral's folder in the iOS Files app, under On My iPhone or On My iPad), or Ask Each Time (shows a share sheet for flexible export). If Bicameral can't use your photo library, it saves to Files instead and tells you.
How are files named?
Each recording is named with the date and time to the millisecond, so captures taken in quick succession never overwrite each other.
Can I save each camera's output separately?
Yes, with a Pro subscription. Turn on "Export Separate Streams" in Settings > Video Quality to save the combined video plus each camera's individual video as separate files, ready for your editor. Similarly, "Export Separate Lens Photos" saves each camera's photo alongside the combined one (photos taken while recording save the combined view only).
Can I include GPS location in my exports?
Yes. Enable "Include Location" in Settings > Saving & Sharing. Location permission is required and will be requested if not already granted.
Watermark
Why is there a watermark on my exports?
The free version adds a small "Bicameral" watermark to the bottom right of videos and photos, shown in the viewfinder before you record. Subscribe to Bicameral Pro to remove the watermark entirely or replace it with custom text.
How do I add a custom watermark?
With a Pro subscription, go to Settings > PiP & Branding > Custom Watermark. Turn it off for no watermark, or turn it on, tap "Text" to enter your text (up to 32 characters using letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation), and choose a position: Bottom Right, Bottom Left, Top Right, or Top Left.
Subscription and Pricing
What do I get with the free version?
The free version includes unlimited recording with the Wide and Selfie cameras, all three layouts, 1080p at 30 fps in HEVC or H.264, dual-camera photos in HEIF or JPEG, the teleprompter, zoom, Standard stabilization, microphone choice with stereo and wind reduction, pause and resume, photos while recording, countdown timer, flash, hardware-button capture, crash recovery, full accessibility, iCloud settings sync, and a small "Bicameral" watermark on exports.
What does Bicameral Pro include?
Pro unlocks watermark removal or custom watermarks, 4K video, 24, 30, or 60 fps, High and Maximum quality (up to 80 Mbps at 4K), Vertical + Horizontal with Follow Faces, the Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses in any pairing, Cinematic stabilization, separate files for each camera (video and photo), Center Stage on the selfie camera, focus and exposure lock, inset styling, framing guides and horizon level, a live audio meter, selfie mirroring control, and the Quick Record and Front + Rear shortcuts.
How much does Bicameral Pro cost?
Bicameral Pro is a single monthly subscription at $4.99 per month (or the equivalent price in your local currency). It renews automatically until you cancel. There is no annual plan, lifetime purchase, or free trial.
How do I subscribe, cancel, or restore purchases?
Subscribe: Tap Settings > Subscription > Upgrade to Pro. Cancel: Tap Settings > Subscription > Manage Subscription to open Apple's subscription management. Restore: Tap Settings > Subscription > Restore Purchases to re-sync your subscription status with the App Store.
What happens if my subscription expires?
All content you created and exported while subscribed is yours permanently. Exports saved to Photos or Files are not affected. Pro features become locked, and the free watermark returns on new exports.
Control Center and Quick Actions
How do I add Bicameral to Control Center?
Open Control Center, tap the "+" button to customize, search for "Bicameral," and add the desired control. Three controls are available: Open Bicameral, Quick Record (Pro), and Front + Rear (Pro). You can also add them to the Lock Screen or assign them to the Action Button.
What are the Home Screen Quick Actions?
Long-press the Bicameral app icon to see shortcuts: New Recording (Pro, opens the app and starts recording), Front + Rear (Pro, opens with the front and rear cameras), and Settings (opens directly to the Settings screen). Without Pro, the recording shortcuts open the upgrade screen.
Privacy and Accessibility
Does Bicameral upload my photos or videos?
No. All capture and processing happens entirely on your device, and nothing is uploaded to any server — the App Store privacy label is "Data Not Collected." iCloud is used only for syncing app settings.
What is Share Analytics?
An optional setting in Settings > Privacy & Data that keeps diagnostic logs on your device to help identify crashes and bugs. It is off unless you turn it on, and nothing leaves your device unless you choose to send a report with Settings > Help & Support > Report an Issue, which lets you preview exactly what will be emailed.
What permissions does Bicameral need?
Camera (required for capture), Microphone (required for audio recording), Photo Library (required to save exports to Photos), and Location (optional, only if you enable "Include Location"). You can see the status of each in Settings > Privacy & Data > Permissions.
What accessibility features are supported?
Full VoiceOver support with descriptive labels and state announcements (use the rotor on the preview to focus or lock exposure), Dynamic Type scaling throughout the interface, 44pt minimum touch targets on all controls, Reduce Motion support, High Contrast support, and distinct haptic feedback patterns for different actions (can be disabled in Settings).
Performance and Thermal Management
Why did my video quality drop during recording?
Multi-camera capture is demanding. If your device gets hot, Bicameral reduces quality in stages — lowering bitrate, then frame rate, then resolution, then turning off the second camera — to keep recording rather than stopping. A message appears when this happens, and quality returns once the device cools. With Vertical + Horizontal, the second copy may stop early to reduce heat; it is still saved with your video.
Why can't I start recording?
If the device is too hot, Bicameral won't start a new recording until it cools. You will see: "Device too hot. Please wait for it to cool down."
How can I reduce thermal issues?
Tips for extended recording sessions: remove your phone case to improve heat dissipation, avoid direct sunlight, use 1080p instead of 4K, use Standard quality instead of Maximum, use Same Lens as the Vertical + Horizontal source (it runs only one camera), and take short breaks between long recordings.
Troubleshooting
The app is stuck on the permission screen.
Bicameral requires camera and microphone access. If you previously denied permission, go to iOS Settings > Bicameral and enable Camera and Microphone.
I can't swap cameras or choose a split layout.
Your device records one camera at a time, or your current setup uses one camera (for example, Same Lens). Side by Side and Top & Bottom need two cameras.
I subscribed to Pro but features are still locked.
Tap Settings > Subscription > Restore Purchases to re-sync your subscription status with the App Store.
My settings changed unexpectedly.
Settings sync via iCloud. If you use Bicameral on multiple devices, a change on one device will appear on the other. The most recent change always wins.
Bicameral isn't listed under Background App Refresh.
That's expected. Background App Refresh is for apps that quietly fetch new content while idle, like Mail checking for messages — Bicameral has nothing to fetch in the background, so it doesn't appear in that list. The setting is unrelated to recording; iOS does not allow third-party apps to capture video in the background regardless of how it's configured.
The app crashed during recording. Is my video lost?
Usually not. If a recording was in progress when the app closed unexpectedly, the next launch offers it in Recoverable Recordings, where you can save or discard each one. If a recording fails partway, everything written up to the problem is kept.
How do I see the welcome tips again?
Go to Settings > Help & Support > Reset Welcome Screen. The tips reappear the next time you open the app.
How do I contact support?
Go to Settings > Help & Support. Contact Us opens the support page, and Report an Issue writes an email to support with optional diagnostic logs and device info.