Night mode on iPhone Camera is the automatic low-light feature that appears as a moon icon in the Camera app. It activates when the camera detects dim lighting, and you can manually adjust or toggle it off if desired. Key points to know
- Where the control appears: Open the Camera app in Photo mode. If lighting is low, a moon icon will appear near the top-left corner (or near the shutter area on some models) indicating Night mode.
- Turning it on or off manually: Tap the moon icon to enable or disable Night mode. If the icon is active (often highlighted), Night mode is on; tapping it again will turn it off. On many iPhones, Night mode is automatically enabled in low light, and you can override it by tapping the icon to disable it.
- Adjust exposure time: When Night mode is active, you can adjust how long the camera exposure lasts. Tap the moon icon (or the arrow above the shutter button) to reveal a slider that lets you set longer exposure times for brighter low-light photos. The maximum exposure time depends on the ambient light and device model.
- Models and capabilities: Night mode first arrived with iPhone 11 and is available on iPhone 11 and newer. Night mode selfies and portraits have different availability across models (selfie Night mode began with certain generations; Pro models often support more advanced Night mode features). If you’re using an older model, Night mode may not be available or may be limited.
- Stabilization tips: To get the best Night mode results, keep the iPhone as steady as possible after tapping the shutter. Use a tripod or rest the phone on a stable surface for longer exposure times.
Common workflows
- Automatic activation: In low light, Night mode turns on automatically. You can confirm by seeing the moon icon filled or highlighted.
- Manual control: If you want to force Night mode on or off, use the moon icon in the Camera app and, if available, adjust the exposure slider to control how long the shutter stays open.
- Saving preferences: Some iPhone models remember your last Night mode setting, so it may stay on or off when you reopen the Camera app.
If you’d like, specify your iPhone model (e.g., iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 15, etc.) and I can tailor the steps precisely to your device and iOS version.
