On supported iPhone models, you can use iphone Night mode camera to take photos when the camera detects low light.
Take photos in low light with Night Mode.
Night mode is automatically activated when the camera detects low light. The night mode icon at the top of the screen turns yellow when the feature is active. Depending on how dark the scene is, your iPhone may quickly take a photo in Night Mode, or it may take a few seconds. You can also adjust the exposure settings.
For best results, keep your iPhone still until the capture is complete. Try placing your iPhone on a solid, stable surface, or use a tripod to increase stability and control exposure.
In iOS 14 and later, if your iPhone detects motion when you’re trying to take a photo, you can align the crosshairs in the frame to reduce motion and improve your shot. To pause night mode photography without waiting for the shooting to complete, simply tap the stop button below the slider.
Adjust capture time
When you take a photo in night mode, a number appears next to the night mode icon indicating how long the photo will take.
To try longer night mode photos, tap the night mode icon. Then use the slider above the shutter button to select “Max”, which increases the capture time. When you take a photo, the slider turns into a timer that counts down until the end of the shooting time.
Take selfies in night mode
- Open the Camera app.
- Touch the front camera button .
- Hold iPhone in front of you.
- Take your selfie.
Night mode selfies are supported on iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Capture video in night time-lapse mode
In low light conditions, you can use Time-lapse night mode with a tripod to shoot videos at longer frame intervals. Open the Camera app, then swipe all the way to the left until Interval appears. Press the shutter button to record video.
Time-lapse night mode is available on iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Use the Night portrait mode. - Open the Camera app and switch to Portrait mode.
- Follow the prompts on the screen.
- Press the shutter button .
Portrait Night Mode is available on iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Activate Live Photos and Flash
When your iPhone is in Night Mode, Live Photos and the flash are not active. You can activate these features manually. Please note that turning on Live Photos or Flash disables Night Mode.
When the flash is set to Auto, it automatically turns on in low light conditions. To activate the flash manually, tap the arrow above the viewfinder. Tap the Flash button that appears below the viewfinder, then select On.
