Capturing the magic of the night with your iPhone camera is easier than ever, thanks to the innovative Night mode feature. On supported iPhone models, Night mode automatically kicks in when light is low, enhancing details and brightening your images to transform dimly lit scenes into captivating photos. While the exposure time is intelligently set by your iPhone, you also have the creative freedom to experiment with manual adjustments for truly unique nighttime shots.
For those seeking the ultimate sharpness and detail in their Night mode photography, consider using a tripod to stabilize your iPhone and unlock even longer exposures.
Night mode is a versatile tool available across various iPhone models and cameras:
- For the cutting-edge iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max: Harness Night mode on the Ultra Wide (0.5x), Wide (1x), Telephoto (3x), Telephoto (5x) cameras, and even the front camera, expanding your nighttime photography possibilities.
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, and iPhone 12 series offer Night mode on: The Ultra Wide (0.5x), Wide (1x) cameras, and the front camera, ensuring stunning low-light selfies and wide-angle night scenes.
- Even the iPhone 11 series brings Night mode to: The Wide (1x) camera, making it accessible for users of older models to capture impressive nighttime photos.
Ready to explore the night through your iPhone lens? Here’s your guide to mastering Night mode:
-
Launch the Camera App
Begin by opening the Camera app on your iPhone. In dimly lit environments, you’ll notice Night mode activate automatically, indicated by a yellow crescent moon icon at the top of your screen.
-
Control Night Mode: On, Off, or Auto
The yellow Night mode icon at the top of your display is your control center. Tap it to toggle Night mode. When yellow, Night mode is active. If you wish to disable it, simply tap the icon to turn it off. By default, Night mode operates in Auto, intelligently engaging when the iPhone detects low-light conditions.
-
Dive Deeper: Manual Exposure Adjustments
For those seeking creative control, tap , the arrow at the top of the screen to reveal more camera options at the bottom. In this expanded menu, you’ll find the Night mode settings. A slider allows you to choose between ‘Auto’ and ‘Max’ exposure times. ‘Auto’ lets your iPhone determine the optimal exposure, while ‘Max’ utilizes the longest possible exposure for capturing maximum light and detail. Experiment with dragging the slider to the ‘Max’ setting for dramatically brighter nighttime images, especially when using a tripod. Your chosen setting will be remembered for your subsequent Night mode shots, allowing for consistent creative control.
-
Capture Your Night Shot
Press the Shutter button to take your photo. On supported models with a dedicated Camera Control button, you can also use this to capture the image. Crucially, hold your iPhone as still as possible during the capture process. Night mode employs longer exposures, meaning any movement can result in blurry photos.
If your iPhone detects motion during capture, crosshairs will appear on screen. Align these crosshairs by carefully adjusting your iPhone’s position to minimize movement and enhance the sharpness of your final image. This visual aid helps ensure you get the clearest possible nighttime photo.
Should you wish to stop a Night mode capture mid-process, simply tap the ‘Stop’ button located below the exposure slider. This gives you control over the capture duration, especially in situations where you might not need the full extended exposure.
Expanding Your Nighttime Photography with iPhone
Beyond standard photos, Night mode extends its capabilities to other creative avenues:
- Night Mode Selfies: On supported models, capture stunning selfies even in low light using Night mode selfies.
- Night Mode Time-Lapse: Transform long periods of darkness into mesmerizing accelerated videos with Night mode time-lapse videos on compatible iPhones.
- Night Mode Portraits: Add beautiful background blur to your nighttime subjects with Night mode in Portrait mode on supported models, creating professional-looking images in challenging lighting.
Further Explore iPhone Camera Capabilities
To deepen your iPhone photography skills, explore these helpful resources:
- Use iPhone camera tools to set up your shot: Learn about composition and using grid lines, aspect ratios, and more.
- Take portraits with your iPhone camera: Master the art of portrait photography on your iPhone, in any lighting condition.
- Take Apple ProRAW photos with your iPhone camera: Unlock the full potential of your iPhone camera by capturing images in ProRAW format for maximum editing flexibility.
With Night mode and these tips, you’re well-equipped to capture the beauty of the night with your iPhone. Experiment, practice, and discover the magic you can create after dark.
