Fake iPhone for a Movie: Props, Dummy Phones and Live Screens
Short answer: A fake iPhone for a movie is usually one of three things: a dummy phone (a non-working shell for wide shots or stunts), a real iPhone running a scripted fake screen for anything the camera can read, or a blank phone that VFX replaces in post. For close-ups, a real phone with a live fake screen looks the most real and gives correct reflections and light on the actor's face.
Step by step
- List the phone shots. Mark which shots show the screen, which only show the phone, and which are stunts.
- Choose the hardware. Use dummies for drops and stunts, and a real phone of the right model for readable screens.
- Match the character. Set the model, wallpaper, carrier, clock and battery so it fits the story.
- Load the scenes. Build each scene as a beat in PhoneGuy, with an iOS-style or NDOS01 interface sized to the exact model.
- Lock the device. Use Guided Access or airplane mode so nothing real interrupts a take.
Common mistakes
- A dummy phone in a shot where the screen is readable
- A different phone model between scenes
- The real lock screen or the owner's photos showing on camera
FAQ
What is a dummy phone?
A non-working replica used as a prop. It is cheap and safe to break, but its screen cannot show anything.
Can a fake screen run on an Android phone?
Yes. PhoneGuy runs on Android phones with its own NDOS01 interface, and on iPhones with either iOS or NDOS01.
Related guides
- How to fake a phone screen / phone prop
- Real phone screen vs. green screen playback
- Fake Lock Screen and Push Notifications on Camera
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