FlowState stabilization
Also known as: FlowState, Insta360 FlowState
Insta360's gyro-based stabilization. On 360 cameras it is applied when the footage is processed in the app or Insta360 Studio rather than in the lens.
Updated
What it means
FlowState is Insta360's stabilization algorithm. It combines gyroscope data recorded with every clip and image analysis to keep footage smooth, and it is paired with 360-degree horizon leveling that keeps the ground flat even if the camera spins.
How it works depends on the camera. On a 360 camera the full sphere is recorded, so there is no frame to crop into; stabilization and leveling are applied later, when the app or Insta360 Studio renders a flat view from the sphere. On single-lens models such as the Ace Pro or GO series, FlowState works more like classic in-camera EIS and is baked into the saved file.
How it works in practice
With a 360 camera, the stabilization data rides along inside the INSV files. When you open a clip for reframing, FlowState is on by default, and you choose between Direction Lock, which keeps the view pointed one way, and a free mode that follows the camera's heading. Horizon leveling sits as a separate toggle.
Because it happens during export, you can change your mind. A clip shot on an invisible selfie stick can be exported once locked toward the trail and again following the rider, both perfectly level, from the same recording.
What to watch out for
If you copy 360 files off the card with the wrong tool, or convert them with third-party software, the gyro data may be lost and FlowState can no longer do its job. Keep the original files together until you have exported what you need.
Direction Lock on a twisty run can feel disorienting, because the view stays fixed while the rider turns away from it. Free mode is usually more natural for POV. And as with any electronic system, dim light leaves motion blur inside each frame that no stabilizer can remove, so it shows up as a smeary shimmer.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip does not read INSV files directly, so FlowState happens on your side. Reframe each 360 clip in the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio with stabilization and leveling on, export a flat MP4 or MOV, and upload that file. RawClip then treats it like any other camera clip when it builds the highlight.