Create amazing iPhone photos and videos

The iPhone camera helps you take great photos in any situation—from everyday moments to studio-quality portraits. You can also record video while you take photos and capture bright shots in low-light situations. Use the editing tools in the Photos app to make adjustments later.

The Camera screen in Photo mode, with other modes to the left and right below the view finder. The buttons for Flash, Night mode, Camera Controls, and Live Photo are at the top of the screen. Below the camera modes are, from left to right, the Photo and Video Viewer button, the Take Picture button, and the Camera Chooser Back-Facing button.

Capture the moment

With your iPhone nearby, you’re always ready to capture a great photo. To quickly open Camera, just swipe left on the Lock Screen. Camera automatically focuses the shot and adjusts the exposure. If you want to zoom in on your subject, pinch the screen open, or touch and hold the zoom controls, then drag the slider to the left (on models with Dual or Triple camera systems).

The Camera screen in Portrait mode; in the view finder, the subject is sharp and the background is blurred. The dial to select Portrait lighting effects is open in the bottom of the frame and Studio Light is selected. At the top left of the screen is the Flash button, at the top center is the Camera Controls button, and at the top right of the screen are the buttons to adjust Portrait lighting intensity and depth control. At the bottom of the screen are, from left to right, the Photo and Video Viewer button, the Take Picture button, and the Camera Chooser Back-Facing button.

Shoot portraits like a pro

On models that support Portrait mode, create stunning portraits that use a depth-of-field effect—your subject stays sharp while the background blurs. Switch to Portrait mode, then drag the slider to choose a lighting effect. On iPhone XS and later, tap to adjust the background blur, or to fine-tune the intensity of the studio-lighting effects.

The Camera screen showing the motion to start recording a QuickTake video. Near the bottom of the screen, the Shutter button moves right toward the Lock button, illustrating the gesture of starting a QuickTake video in Photo mode. The recording timer is at the top of the screen.

Take a video in Photo mode

Sometimes when you’re taking a photo, you also want to catch the action in a video. When you’re in Photo mode, just hold the Shutter button to capture a QuickTake video (available on iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later). To keep recording, slide the Shutter button to the right over the lock, then tap to keep taking still photos.

The Camera screen in Photo mode. Buttons for flash and Night mode appear in the top-left corner of the screen. The flash is turned off, and Night mode is on. The Camera Controls button is in top-center, and the Live Photo button is in the top-right corner. At the bottom of the screen are, from left to right, the Photo and Video Viewer button, the Take Picture button, and the Camera Chooser Back-Facing button.

Low light? No problem

On iPhone 11 models and iPhone 12 models, Night mode automatically takes bright, detailed photos in darker settings. When turns yellow, Night mode is on. Tap the Shutter button, then hold your iPhone still to capture the shot. To experiment with Night mode, tap at the top of the screen, then move the slider below the frame to adjust the exposure time.

On iPhone 12 models, Night mode is also available when you take selfies with the front camera and use the Ultra Wide camera to zoom out.

The edit screen with a photo in the center. Below the photo are editing buttons for Highlights, Shadows, Brightness, Blackpoint, and Saturation. Brightness is selected. Below the editing buttons is a slider to adjust the Brightness levels. Below the slider, from left to right are the Cancel, Edit, Filters, Crop, and Done buttons. The More Options button is in the top-right corner.

Add the final touches

After you take a photo or video, use the iPhone editing tools to turn it into a masterpiece. Open a photo or video in the Photos app, tap Edit, then tap the buttons at the bottom of the screen to adjust lighting, add a filter, and crop or rotate. As you make edits, tap the photo to compare your changes to the original. Tap Revert to undo your changes.

Want to learn more? Check out the Camera and Photos chapters.