Photos

In the Photos app on iPhone, you can duplicate a photo or video while preserving the original version. You can also copy a photo and then paste it into another document such as an email, text message, or presentation.

A duplicate copy appears next to the original in your library, and you can copy several photos or videos at once.

Here’s how to duplicate and copy photos and videos on iPhone.

Duplicate a photo or video

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Open a photo or video and then tap the More button.
3. Tap Duplicate.

You’ll find the duplicate copy next to the original in your library.

Copy a photo

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Open a photo, then tap the More button.
3. Tap Copy and then paste the photo into another document.

Copy multiple photos or videos

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Select and then tap the thumbnails you want to copy.
3. Tap the More button, then tap Copy.
4. Paste the copies into another document.

In the Photos app, you can change and adjust the lighting effects, depth of field, and focus point of images you take in Portrait mode.

You can apply, change, or remove Portrait Lighting effects. Stage Light Mono is like Stage Light, but in classic black and white. Natural Light, for example, keeps the face in sharp focus against a blurred background, while Stage Light spotlights the face against a deep black background.

Adjust the background blur in Portrait mode photos

To adjust the level of background blur in your portraits, use the Depth Control slider.

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap any Portrait mode photo to view it in full screen. Then tap the Edit button.
3. Drag the Depth Control slider at the bottom of the screen to increase or decrease the background blur effect.

   A black dot marks the original depth value for the photo.

4. Tap Done.

Apply portrait effects to photos taken in Photo mode

On supported models, the Photos app can turn photos with a person, dog, or cat taken in Photo mode into portraits.

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap any photo taken in Photo mode to view it in full screen and tap the Edit button.
3. If portrait effects are available, select Portrait at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap Portrait at the top of the screen to turn on portrait effects.
5. Tap the Lighting Intensity Off button or the Depth button to adjust the portrait lighting or background blur.
6. Tap Done.

To undo edits after you save, open the photo, tap the Edit button, tap Revert, then tap Revert to Original.

Note: Live Photo effects aren’t available on a Live Photo taken in Photo mode while the portrait effect is applied. Tap Live when you want to view the Live Photo, or to apply a Live Photo effect without the portrait effect.

Change the Portrait Lighting effect

In portraits, you can apply the Portrait Lighting effects, change them, or remove them.

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap a Portrait mode photo to open it, then tap the Edit button.
3. Tap the Lighting Intensity Off button at the top of the screen.

   The Portrait Lighting effects appear at the bottom of the screen.

4. Touch the Portrait Lighting control. Slide your finger left or right to choose a lighting effect:
   • Natural Light: The face is in sharp focus against a blurred background.
   • Studio Light: The face is brightly lit, and the photo has an overall clean look.
   • Contour Light: The face has dramatic shadows with highlights and lowlights.
   • Stage Light: The face is spotlit against a deep black background.
   • Stage Light Mono: The effect is like Stage Light, but the photo is in classic black and white.
   • High-Key Light Mono: The effect creates a grayscale subject on a white background.
5. Drag the slider below the lighting effects left or right to adjust the intensity of the lighting effect.
6. Tap Done.

To undo edits after you save, tap the Edit button, tap Revert, then tap Revert to Original.

Change the focus point of a portrait

On iPhone 13 or later, you can change the subject, or focus point, of a portrait. Select a new subject, and the background blur automatically adjusts so the new subject looks sharp and in focus. But make sure the new subject isn’t blurred or too far in the distance.

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap any Portrait mode photo to view it in full screen. Then tap the Edit button.
3. Tap a new subject or focus point in the photo.
4. Tap Done.

Remove the portrait effect

If a photo was taken in Portrait mode, you can remove the portrait effect.

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap any Portrait mode photo to view it in full screen.
3. Tap Portrait in the top-left corner of the screen. Tap Portrait Off.

In the Photos app, you can delete photos and videos from your iPhone or hide them. You can also recover photos you recently deleted. Photos you delete and hide are saved in Recently Deleted and Hidden, which you unlock using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

When you use iCloud Photos, any photos you delete or hide are deleted or hidden on all your devices. You can delete or hide several at once, and stop hiding them later, so they reappear in your photo library.

Note: For 30 days, deleted photos and videos stay in the Recently Deleted collection, where you can recover or permanently remove them. After that, they’re permanently removed from all devices.

Delete or hide a photo or video

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. While viewing a photo or video, do any of the following:
   • Delete: Tap the Delete button to delete a photo from your iPhone and other devices where iCloud Photos is turned on and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.
   • Hide: Tap the More button, then tap Hide.

Hidden photos move to the Hidden collection, and you can’t view them anywhere else.

To keep the Hidden collection from appearing in the Photos app, turn it off. See Hide the Hidden collection.

Delete or hide multiple photos and videos

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. View your library or open a collection.
3. Tap Select and then tap the photos and videos you want to delete or hide.
4. Do any of the following:
   • Delete: Tap the Delete button to delete the items from your iPhone and other devices where iCloud Photos is turned on and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

     Deleted photos and videos are kept in the Recently Deleted collection for 30 days. During that time, you can recover or permanently remove them from all devices.

   • Hide: Tap the More button, then tap Hide.

Stop hiding photos and videos

If you previously hid a photo or video, you can stop hiding it so that it reappears in your photo library.

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Collections.
3. Tap the Hidden collection (below Utilities), tap View Album, and unlock your iPhone.
4. Tap the photo or video you want to stop hiding.
5. Tap the More button, then tap Unhide.

Recover or permanently delete recently deleted items

Photos and videos you delete stay in the Recently Deleted collection for 30 days, and after that, they’re permanently removed from iCloud, your iPhone, and other devices associated with your Apple Account. During those 30 days, you can recover them or delete them permanently at any time.

1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Collections.
3. Tap the Recently Deleted collection (below Utilities), tap View Album, and unlock your iPhone.
4. Tap Select and choose the photos and videos you want to recover or delete.
5. Tap the More button and tap Recover or Delete.

Note: Check the Recovered collection if the photos or videos you’re looking for aren’t in the Recently Deleted collection.

Lock and unlock the Recently Deleted and Hidden collections

The Recently Deleted and Hidden collections are locked by default. You can unlock these collections using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. To change the default setting from locked to unlocked, do the following:

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps and tap Photos.
3. Turn off Use Face ID, Use Touch ID, or Use Passcode.

Hide the Hidden collection

The Hidden collection is locked by default, and for an extra layer of privacy, you can remove it from view.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps and tap Photos.
3. Turn off Show Hidden Album.

iPhone uses your Apple Account to create your contact card, called My Card, in the Contacts app. You can also add or edit details, including your name, address, phone number, and birthday, as well as the Contact Poster, which you can share with people when you call or send a message to them.

Keeping My Card current pays off elsewhere, too. When you edit it, your AutoFill information in Safari updates automatically.

Complete or edit My Card

1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Card at the top, then tap Edit.

   If you don’t see My Card, tap the Add button and enter your information, then return to the contact list, touch and hold your contact, and tap Make this My Card.

3. Enter your contact information.

To help you, Contacts suggests addresses and phone numbers as you go.

Add or edit your home address

1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Card at the top, then tap Edit.
3. Tap Add Address and then add your address.
4. Tap the label that appears to the left of the address and select Home.

AutoFill in Safari can fill in your address automatically for things like online shopping or online forms. Any edits to your My Card update your AutoFill information automatically, too.

Add or edit your avatar and poster

An avatar and poster you set can appear automatically when you call or send a message to others.

1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Card at the top, then tap Edit.
3. Tap your contact photo and choose a style.
4. Tap Customize to edit your avatar and poster.

Share your name and contact image

People in your contacts can automatically get your updated name, photo, and poster, if you choose.

1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Card at the top, tap Edit, and then tap your contact photo.
3. Turn on Name & Photo Sharing to start sharing your contact photo and poster with others. (You may need to scroll down.)

Select Always Ask if you want a prompt before your name, photo, and poster are shared with anyone. Otherwise, you can share automatically with Contacts Only.

Add or edit contact pronouns

In the Contacts app, you can add or edit your own pronouns or another contact’s.

1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Card at the top to add your pronouns, or select another contact to add theirs.
3. Tap Edit and tap add pronouns.
4. Select your language, then add the correct pronouns.

   You can also add pronouns in other languages by tapping Add Pronouns again.

5. Tap Add.

Note: Sharing your contact information through Contacts or NameDrop doesn’t share your pronouns by default. And when you share another contact’s information, their pronouns are never included.

Create or edit your Medical ID

In an emergency, a Medical ID provides information about you that may be important, like allergies, medical conditions, and your emergency contacts.

1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Card at the top of your contacts list. Then tap Edit.
3. Scroll down. Then tap Create Medical ID or Edit Medical ID.

With Shared Albums, you can create albums to share with just the people you choose, and they can add their own photos, videos, and comments for everyone to see. If you set up a shared album, you can also rename or delete it.

Before you start, Shared Albums needs to be turned on in your iCloud settings for Photos, and you need to be signed in to your Apple Account on every device you want to use with it.

Before you begin

Check that you’re signed in to your Apple Account on your iPhone and on any other devices you want to use with Shared Albums.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your name and tap iCloud. Tap Photos.
3. Turn on Shared Albums.

Create a shared album

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Collections, then tap Shared Albums.
3. Tap the Add button, then do the following:
   • Add photos and videos to the album: Tap Add Photos, select the items you want to add, and then tap the Done button.
   • Name the album: Type a name in the Shared Album Name text field.
   • Set sharing permissions: Tap Sharing Options. Then select People You Choose or Anyone with the Link.

     Note: If you select People You Choose and the link is shared with someone you didn’t invite, they can request access to the album. You can grant or deny the request.

   • Allow the album to expire: Turn on Make Album Temporary to set the album to expire after 30 days.
4. Tap the Done button to create the album.

Note: Whoever organizes a shared album provides the iCloud storage space for its content, but albums set to expire don’t use any iCloud storage.

Join a shared album

After selecting the link you received, select Join. You might need to sign in to your Apple Account, ask for access, or provide your email.

To save the album to your account after joining by email, select Join, then sign in to your Apple Account.

To view pending invitations, tap Collections, then tap your Apple Account profile.

View shared albums

There’s one place where you can view all of your shared albums.

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Collections.
3. Tap Shared Albums to see all of your shared albums and tap an album to view it.

Quick tip: Tap Activity to view what’s new in your shared albums, such as photos, reactions, and comments.

Rename a shared album

Whoever creates a shared album can change its name.

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Collections.
3. Tap Shared Albums and tap an album.
4. Tap the More button. Tap the current album name.
5. Enter a new name in the text field and then tap the Done button.

Delete or remove yourself from a shared album

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Collections.
3. Tap Shared Albums and tap an album.
4. Tap the More button. Tap Delete Shared Album if you created the album, or tap Leave Shared Album if you’re a participant.

Even if a shared album is deleted, or the person who created it stops sharing it, photos you saved or downloaded from it to your photo library stay in your library.

On supported iPhone models, Night mode automatically brightens photos and captures more detail in low light. Your iPhone sets the exposure time automatically, but you can adjust it manually if needed.

It’ll turn on by itself in low-light situations. For even more detail, you can choose between the available exposure options, and your selection is saved for your next Night mode photo. A tripod can help you get even more detailed Night mode photos, too.

Quick tip: Use a tripod for even more detailed Night mode photos.

1. Open Camera on your iPhone.

   In low-light situations, Night mode turns on automatically. To turn it off and on, tap the Night mode button.

2. For even more detail, tap the Camera Controls button. Then tap Night Mode and choose between the available exposure options. Your selection is saved for your next Night mode photo.
3. Tap the Shutter button, or click the Camera Control on (supported models) and then hold your iPhone still to take your shot.

   If crosshairs appear in the frame, your iPhone has detected movement—align them to help you reduce motion and improve the image quality.

   To cancel a Night capture in progress, tap the Stop button.

Supported models can take Night mode selfies and time-lapse videos, too.

You can also take Night mode photos with Portrait mode on supported models.

With Visual Look Up on your iPhone, you can identify and learn about architectural landmarks, popular statues, famous art, plants, pets, books, and more that appear in photos and images. It can also identify food and suggest related recipes, and you can use it in Photos, Safari, Quick Look, and more.

A starred Info button tells you Visual Look Up has something to show you, and it works with a paused video frame, too. It isn’t available in all regions or languages, though.

1. On your iPhone, open a photo or image in full screen, or pause a video on any frame.
   If the Info button displays a symbol with stars such as the Detected Food Info button or the Detected Dog Info button, Visual Look Up is available.
2. Tap the starred Info button and then tap Look Up at the top of the photo information to view the Visual Look Up results.
3. Tap the Close button to close the Visual Look Up results and swipe down on the photo or video frame to close the photo information.

Visual Look Up isn’t available in all regions or languages, Apple says.