Use Night mode on your iPhone

On supported iPhone models, you can use Night mode to capture photos when the camera detects a low-light environment.

You can use Night mode with iPhone 11 and later.

Take low-light photos with Night mode

Night mode automatically turns on when the camera detects a low-light environment. The Night mode icon at the top of the display turns yellow when the feature is active. Depending on how dark the scene is, your iPhone might take a Night mode photo quickly, or it might take several seconds. You can also adjust your exposure setting.

For the best results, hold your iPhone steady until the capture completes. Try placing your iPhone on a solid and secure surface, or use a tripod to increase stability and control of the exposure clarity.

With iOS 14 and later, if your iPhone detects movement when you're trying to capture a photo, you can align the crosshairs in the frame to help you reduce motion and improve the shot. To interrupt a Night mode photo mid-capture rather than waiting for the capture to finish, just tap the stop button below the slider.

iPhone screen showing Night Mode in the Camera app

Adjust the capture time

When you take a photo in Night mode, a number appears next to the Night mode icon to indicate how long the shot will take.

To try longer Night mode photos, tap the arrow above the viewfinder. Tap the Night mode button that appears below the viewfinder, then use the slider above the shutter button to choose Max, which extends the capture time. When you take the photo, the slider becomes a timer that counts down to the end of the capture time.

Take Night mode selfies

Open the Camera app.
Tap the front-facing camera button.
Hold your iPhone in front of you.
Snap your selfie.

Night mode selfies are supported on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, 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 Night mode Time-lapse videos

In low-light conditions, you can use Night mode Time-lapse with a tripod to capture videos with longer interval frames. Open the Camera app, then swipe to the far left until you see Time-lapse. Tap the Shutter button to capture your video.

Night mode Time-lapse is available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, 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 Night mode Portrait

Open the Camera app and swipe to Portrait mode.
Follow the tips on your screen.
Tap the Shutter button.

Night mode Portrait is available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Turn on Live Photos and flash

When your iPhone is in Night mode, Live Photos and the flash aren't active. You can turn these features on manually. Keep in mind that turning on Live Photos or the flash deactivates Night mode.

If you have Flash set to Auto, it turns on automatically in low-light situations. To turn on Flash manually, tap the arrow above the viewfinder. Tap the Flash button that appears below the viewfinder, then select On.