In this article we cover the following topics on how to export Dolby Vision captured content from an iPhone:
 

• Export a Dolby Vision file from an iPhone
• Using AirDrop to transfer the original file
• Using Photos to access the original file
• Using 'Save to Files' option in iOS
• Using a 3rd party backup/cloud storage application

 

How to export a Dolby Vision file from an iPhone?

There are many ways of exporting files from the iPhone storage. For example using AirDrop or exporting with an USB-C cable connected to your workstation. However care should be taken when you AirDrop the Dolby Vision file to older Apple devices (e.g. 2017 model year or earlier) as depending on the OS versions the file may be transformed to SDR. For most use cases this is useful as it ensures correct playback regardless of where the video is used, but when the file is transformed into SDR during file transfer your working space will be limited to an SDR space. To use the file for Dolby Vision content creation, you should always want to use the original Dolby Vision file with High Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut characteristics.

A few options that support the transfer of the original unmodified file are outlined below. In order to check that the files have transferred correctly, it is useful to check them with a tool such as MediaInfo, which can be used to verify that the transferred file is a Dolby Vision file.  

 

* You can view this video in Dolby Vision on selected Apple devices when using the Safari browser. For more details see the Dolby Vision on Vimeo FAQs.

Using AirDrop to transfer the original file

If your target device is an HDR-capable Apple device you can easily AirDrop the original Dolby Vision file to the target device using iOS version 14.3 or newer. For details of devices that support HDR see Play HDR video on Mac on the Apple Support website.  But if you AirDrop the file to older Apple devices (e.g. 2017 model year or earlier), the Dolby Vision file will be transformed to SDR on-the-fly for backward compatibility. It's recommended to use the other options below to get the original Dolby Vision file for your production.

 

 

Using Photos to access the original file

iCloud can be used to copy/backup all your photos and videos onto iCloud Drive, and these can then be accessed from the Photos app in macOS. If you drag and drop from Photos, an automatic conversion to SDR may take place. In order to get access to the original Dolby Vision video file select the desired videos in the Photos app and then select 'Export Unmodified Original...' from the File menu as shown in the screenshot below. This will then prompt you to select your desired save location.






 

Using 'Save to Files' option in iOS

Another option is to save selected videos to an alternative location on iCloud Drive or other cloud-based file storage. In order to do this, access the Photos app on iOS and then select the desired video(s). Then select the 'Save to Files' option in the Share action sheet and this will prompt you to select an alternative location to save the files to. By selecting a folder on your iCloud storage, these files will then become available through the iCloud Drive location in the Finder app on macOS.






 

Using a 3rd party backup/cloud storage application

An alternative way to transfer files is to use a 3rd party cloud storage and backup application that supports the backing up of videos from an iPhone. There are a range of solutions available and each should be tested to check successful transfers of the original files but this can be a useful option particularly when your company already has a subscription to a 3rd-party cloud storage service.