How to apply filters in the Photos app for iPhone and iPad

How-to
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iPhone 11 Pro camera
iPhone 11 Pro camera (Image credit: iMore)

Perhaps the simplest way to edit a photo on iOS and iPadOS is to use a filter. The Photos app for iPhone and iPad offers nine filters — including vivid, dramatic, mono, silvertone, and more. You can apply them to your photos in just a few taps, and these can definitely help perk up any picture, so give it a try!

How to use filters in the Photos app for iPhone and iPad

Filters in the Photos app are handy when you want to salvage an image or a photo that didn't turn out the way you'd hoped, or you want to change the mood and go for a unique effect.

  1. Launch the Photos app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on the photo you want to filter.
  3. Tap the Edit button at the top right of the screen.

Apply a filter in the Photos app on iPhone and iPad by showing steps: Launch Photos, tap the photo you want to edit, then tap Edit (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the Filters button in the bottom menu in the middle.
  2. Scroll, then tap on the filter you want to apply.
  3. Tap Done.

Apply a filter in the Photos app on iPhone and iPad by showing steps: Tap Filter, select the filter you want to use, then tap Done (Image credit: iMore)

When you're ready to push your iPhone photo-editing to fun, new level, you should consider a third-party app, which will offer more choices than the native Photos app. Among the more interesting ones available in the App Store are Prisma, Popsicolor, and Olli by Tinrocket. Or you could stick with a more traditional photo editing app too, as these always have their own set filters and effects to enhance photos. Experimentation is key!

How to apply live filters with the Camera app on iPhone and iPad

How to use Live Photo Filters on iPhone and iPad by showing steps: Tap Filter button, select your filter, shoot as normal (Image credit: iMore)

Did you know that in addition to applying the filters in the editing process, you can also take photos with the filter already applied? These are called "live" photo filters, and you can easily access them from the Camera app. Using live photo filters lets you see how the image will turn out with the filter before you even take the photo! It's great and convenient if you just want to take the pictures as-is, without having to edit them later.

How to use live photo filters with the Camera on iPhone

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below!

Updated August 2020: Updated for the latest versions of iOS.

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Christine Chan
Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.