How to shoot epic timelapse videos with your phone

Timelapse videos compress time and help you record its passing. Previously, you needed special equipment or apps to do it, but now you can easily do it with your phone. So here's what you need to be able to shoot epic timelapse videos with your phone.

1. How to make Stop Motion videos on Android phones

4. Prepare your phone

Shooting timelapse videos can be quite tiring, so you'll want to prepare your phone in advance, especially if you're planning on shooting long videos. The first thing you'll want to make sure is that you have enough storage space on your device. If you want to shoot at a higher quality, like 4K , you'll definitely need more storage space.

If you don't have enough space on your phone, you'll need to delete some files or back them up online. Alternatively, you can use a high-speed USB-C memory card to free up storage on your Android phone, but you'll need to check whether you can write directly to the memory card.

Additionally, you need to have enough battery to ensure your phone doesn't run out of juice mid-shoot. It's best to start shooting with 80% to 100% battery, but if that's not possible, bring a spare charger and a long cable to charge while you shoot. If you're also using an external hard drive, that means you'll need a high-speed USB hub that can charge your phone and connect the external hard drive to your phone at the same time.

3. You need a tripod and other accessories

Now that your phone is ready, you need a tripod to keep your phone steady while you record. This is essential because you want your phone to be as steady as possible and to ensure that your video stays in the same spot. Otherwise, you will find that your timelapse video is shaky and not as engaging as a steady video. A tripod is essential for smartphone photography, especially for long exposure photography and timelapse video.

Heavier tripods designed for DSLR cameras can be used because they are more weather-resistant — an important feature, especially if you're shooting outdoors. That's why flimsy tripods (including most that come with your camera) are one of the smartphone photography gadgets you should stay away from .

Another thing to consider, if you're shooting outdoors, is to have some sort of protection for your device. If you're shooting in the summer sun, consider investing in an umbrella and a fan to cool your phone. Otherwise, your phone could overheat and shut down while you're shooting, ruining the entire shot.

If you're shooting in inclement weather, consider using a plastic bag to protect your gear from rain and weather. And if the wind is blowing, you might want to add a counterweight to the bottom of your tripod, such as a sandbag or heavy spare object, to prevent it from tipping over.

2. Find a good location to anchor the video and pay attention to your surroundings

It's time to get creative with your video. You need to think carefully about what your camera sees to make your timelapse video more interesting. While the passage of time may be the main focus of your shot, you still want to use framing to enhance your final video. You can try these essential techniques to improve your results when shooting landscapes with your phone. You can also try different photo composition techniques that work well when shooting video.

You should also consider where you're going to put your phone – always keep your safety and the safety of others in mind when setting it up. For example, if you want to shoot a timelapse video of a large rain cloud rolling in over a city, make sure you're not in a place where lightning could strike. Or don't set up your tripod on a busy sidewalk in a way that someone could trip over it.

1. Some video post-processing won't hurt

When you're recording your timelapse, always capture a little more than you think you'll need. If you want to capture an epic sunset, don't set up your phone 5 minutes before the sun sets. Instead, do it at least 30 minutes to an hour before so you don't miss that little window. And don't pack up right after the sun sets – instead, wait until it's completely dark so you can capture everything you might need.

Once you have what you need, don't forget that a little post-processing never hurts. Use your phone's built-in editing tools to trim your timelapse video to what you need. But you can also use third-party apps like CapCut to color grade, add subtle motion, or anything else you think will enhance your final product.

With all that information in mind, the only thing left to do is go out and shoot. There are plenty of different opportunities for timelapses beyond beautiful sunrises and sunsets. You can shoot videos of people crossing the street, or you can shoot star trails throughout the night. Highways and airports are also good subjects, especially if you want to get some super dynamic timelapses. Just make sure you stay safe and follow the law when shooting.

Kareem Winters

Update 17 June 2025