Ahead of NAB 2026, Blackmagic Design released its latest update to the Blackmagic Camera app. The video-focused mobile app gives video creators much more control over iPhone cameras than the original iOS camera app, and the new version 3.3 update continues to build on this.
A new companion app for Apple Watch spearheads the changes and serves as a control element on the wrist. It also supports full screen portrait mode via HDMI output for vertical video creation and ATEM camera control with the Blackmagic ProDock Camera.
As mentioned, the new Apple Watch Companion App is the biggest feature of version 3.3 and its initial offering does not disappoint. With your Apple Watch, you can see the full viewfinder right on your wrist, which is perfect if you’re shooting selfie videos with the higher-quality main camera on the back of your iPhone. It does not eliminate the need for a separate monitor, as I showed in 9to5Mac Blackmagic Camera ProDock Reviewbut it helps augment an external screen and can help you without one in a pinch.
Above the viewfinder, the companion clock displays timecode, focus settings, resolution, and remaining battery life. Below the viewfinder you’ll see audio input levels, the recording start/stop switch, and a settings button.
Swiping up or down in the app allows users to hide or show information around the viewfinder, so they can focus solely on framing the shot. And for those times when you want to switch between iPhone lenses? Simply twist the digital crown on your Apple Watch.
If that’s not enough, within settings, there are options to adjust the following features:
Camera
- Autofocus
- Auto Exposure
- automatic WB
- Lock everything
- Stabilization
- flash light
Record
LUT
- No LUT
- Preview only
- Save to file
Live broadcast
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While the Apple Watch companion app is the key feature of the 3.3 update, there are plenty of additional goodies and bug fixes that will make Blackmagic Camera app users happy. Here’s a look at everything new:
What’s new in Blackmagic Camera 3.3?
- Camera control with companion app for Apple Watch.
- Support for HDMI output in full screen portrait mode.
- Support for ProRes RAW stabilization in iOS 26.1 and higher.
- Support for ATEM camera control with Blackmagic Camera ProDock.
- Support for Blackmagic Focus and Zoom demands.
- The front camera now supports portrait and landscape without rotation for iPhone 17.
- Fixed a possible issue when recording ProRes RAW from the front lens.
- Fixed preview lag with Blackmagic Camera ProDock as audio source.
- Fixed H.264 and H.265 open gate using incorrect bitrates.
The Blackmagic Camera 3.3 app, along with its companion Apple Watch app, is now available to download in the App Store for free for new and existing users.
As a Blackmagic Camera app user, this update fulfills a major wish on my Apple Watch control wish list. Do you use the Blackmagic camera? What do you think of the latest updates?
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