At WWDC, Apple introduced a new Local Capture feature in iPadOS 26 that solves a long-standing problem for remote recording.
It lets you capture local audio and video at full quality while on a FaceTime or Zoom call.
The feature lives in Control Center. A new record button becomes available once a call begins and the microphone or camera is in use.
Tapping it starts a local recording. When the call ends, the file is saved to the Files app as an MP4 container with separate high-quality audio and video tracks.
This is the first time iPadOS has supported this kind of capture without relying on app-specific implementations.
Until now, your iPad could not run a videoconferencing app and record clean local audio at the same time.
Most mobile apps don’t include built-in recording tools, and the system never allows two apps to access the microphone at once.
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Apple avoids that conflict by integrating the recording at the system level.
It captures what the mic and camera are picking up, without interrupting the call. The recording stops if the call ends or the mic is no longer in use.
The audio is saved in FLAC format, and the video is encoded using HEVC, which are compatible with editing tools like Final Cut Pro.
The files include full-resolution video and lossless audio, which are suitable for production use.
Apple also includes a clear visual indicator when recording is active. A red symbol appears in the status bar to show that the mic and camera are being recorded. This behavior ensures transparency and addresses privacy concerns.
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The Bottom Line
This new recording tool clears a long-standing hurdle that’s limited what iPad users could do with audio and video for years.
It brings the iPad closer to being a true production device, without needing a Mac to capture high-quality recordings during calls.
Do you think this will change how you use your iPad? Share your thoughts in the comments.
