How to change shutter speed on iPhone
You cannot set a shutter speed in Apple's Camera app. You can still get a longer exposure, and here are the three ways.
Photo by Daniele Fotia on Unsplash
On a camera, shutter speed is how long the sensor collects light. A fast shutter freezes movement, and a slow one blurs it or brightens a dark scene. Apple's Camera app picks this for you and hides the number. That keeps shooting simple, but it is why you cannot find a shutter speed dial. Here are the ways to get what you wanted.
Method 1: Night mode for a longer exposure
In dim light, a Night mode icon appears at the top of the Camera screen with a number of seconds. Night mode is the closest you get to a slow shutter in the Camera app.
The fix
Set a longer Night mode exposure
- 1
Open Camera in a dark place.
- 2
Tap the Night mode icon at the top of the screen.
- 3
Drag the slider under the viewfinder to a longer time, or to Max.
The iPhone suggests a time. Longer times need the iPhone to stay still.
- 4
Hold still, or rest the iPhone on a tripod or a wall, and tap the shutter button.
Method 2: Long Exposure on a Live Photo
For flowing water, car lights or crowds, take a Live Photo and add the blur afterward. It works best with the iPhone held still.
- 1
In Camera, turn Live Photo on (the circle icon at the top) and take a photo of the moving scene.
- 2
Open the photo in Photos and swipe up.
- 3
Choose Long Exposure in the Effects list.
Photos blends the frames into one photo with smooth motion.
Method 3: A manual camera app
If you want to set the shutter speed yourself, you need a camera app made for it. Apps such as Halide and ProCamera show a shutter speed control along with ISO and focus. Many are paid or subscription apps, so look at the price and the free trial before you download one. Use the app's shutter speed control in low light and the iPhone on a tripod.
Tips for sharper long exposures
- Use a tripod or lean the iPhone against something solid. Even a small shake blurs a slow exposure.
- Use the timer in the Camera app so your finger does not shake the phone.
- Clean the lens with a soft cloth. A smudge makes night photos hazy.
- Lower the exposure slider (tap the screen and drag the sun icon) if bright lights blow out.
Blurry photos when you did not want slow shutter
In dim light, the iPhone itself uses a longer exposure, so anything that moves blurs. If you did not mean to get blur, read our guide to fixing blurry iPhone photos. If the camera does not open or shows a black screen, see a phone camera that is not working.
Looking for the photo shape, not the shutter?
Searches for this topic sometimes mean the shape of the photo. That is the aspect ratio, not the shutter speed. See how to change the aspect ratio on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Can you change the shutter speed on iPhone?
Not in Apple's Camera app, which chooses the shutter speed itself. You can get a longer exposure with Night mode or a Live Photo Long Exposure, or set the shutter speed by hand in a manual camera app.
How do I enable a longer shutter speed on iPhone?
In low light, tap the Night mode icon and drag the time slider to the longest setting, or choose Max, and keep the iPhone still on a tripod. For motion blur, use Live Photo, then Long Exposure in Photos.
Which iPhone app sets shutter speed?
Manual camera apps such as Halide and ProCamera let you choose the shutter speed. Many offer a free trial or a paid plan. Check what an app costs before you download it.
Why are my iPhone photos blurry in the dark?
The iPhone uses a longer exposure in the dark, so any movement blurs the photo. Hold still, rest the phone on something, or use a tripod.
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