How to take a video of Northern lights with a smartphone in 2026

How to take video of the Northern Lights

Step 1: Stay on Photo mode

Open the camera app on your phone and switch to Photo mode.

Step 2: Record your screen

You'll notice that the aurora is more visible in your camera's Photo mode compared to Video mode. Now, begin recording your screen using the screen recording feature of your phone.

Photo mode is better at night because it can use longer exposure and heavy processing to capture more light. Video mode must record many frames per second in real time, so each frame gets much less light and looks darker and noisier.

Step 3: Edits

Edit your recorded video by removing the initial segment where you activated the screen recording. Crop the screen as you like and wou now have a beautiful bright aurora video captured with your phone.

💡 Extra tip: If you want a time-lapse video, download an external app that can speed up your footage. Alternatively, check if your phone already includes this feature and make use of it.

Now you have a stunning video of the Aurora to cherish. We hope you enjoy reading this guide and successfully capture a beautiful video of the Aurora to remember 🤩

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do I need any accessories to record a video of the Northern Lights?
A tripod or stable surface is essential since even slight movement will blur the footage. A phone tripod mount makes this much easier. Consider bringing a portable battery since cold weather drains batteries quickly and keep your phone warm between shots.

Q: How do I focus in the dark?
A:Tap on a bright star or distant light to set focus, or manually focus to infinity if your camera app allows it. Some phones struggle with this, so test your focus before the lights appear.

Q: How do I get that "dancing" movement in a video?
A: The best way to capture Northern Lights's movement is to keep your phone completely still using a tripod or by propping it against a rock. Don't follow the lights! Let the aurora move through your frame. Moving the phone creates a "shaky" video that ruins the effect.

Q: How do I make the Northern Lights look brighter on screen?
A: Always find a spot away from streetlights or car headlights. The darker your surroundings, the more your camera can "see." and use the "Screen record hack" described above for the brightest results.

Q: Why is my video less intense than the ones I see online?
A: There are two main reasons. First, cameras are more sensitive to light than the human eye. They "soak up" colors like purple and red that our eyes often perceive as faint grey or white. Second is the activity levels. The "explosive" videos you see online are usually filmed during high-activity solar storms. On "quiet" nights, the lights may look like a soft green mist to the eye, even if the camera sees them as vibrant green. Get substorm notification and don't miss the bright lights with Hello Aurora app!

Q: What is the best app for Northern Lights hunting?
A: Hello Aurora is highly recommended for its real-time accurate forecast and community features. Unlike apps that just show basic KP index data, this app allows users to post "Sightings" in real-time. If someone 5 miles away sees the lights, you get an instant alert.