How to Turn Portrait Mode On After Taking a Photo on iPhone

You can’t switch a regular photo into Portrait mode after the fact, but if you took the photo with Depth Control enabled, you can adjust the blur effect later. This guide shows you how to check if your photo supports Portrait editing, how to change the blur amount, and how to fix common issues when the effect isn’t available.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone that supports Portrait mode (iPhone 7 Plus or later, or any iPhone with a dual or triple camera)
• iOS 11 or later (for Depth Control editing, you’ll need iOS 10.1+ for basic Portrait mode, and iOS 11+ for adjusting blur)
• A photo that was taken using Portrait mode (or a photo with depth information)

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the photo you want to edit. If it was taken in Portrait mode, you’ll see a small “Portrait” badge at the top left corner of the photo (or a yellow “Depth” badge on older iOS versions).
3. Tap Edit in the top right corner.
4. Tap the Portrait button (it looks like a person icon, usually at the top center or top right of the editing toolbar). If you don’t see it, your photo doesn’t have depth data.
5. Use the Depth slider that appears below the photo. Drag it left to decrease the blur (make the background sharper) or right to increase the blur (make the background more blurred).
6. Tap Done to save your changes. The original photo is always preserved, so you can revert later by tapping Edit > Revert.

Note: If you want to add Portrait mode to a photo that wasn’t taken with it, you can’t do that directly in the Photos app. However, you can use third-party apps that simulate depth effects, but the result won’t be as accurate as a true depth-captured photo.

Common Mistakes

• Not having depth data: The most common mistake is trying to edit a photo that wasn’t taken in Portrait mode. Only photos with the Portrait badge or Depth badge can be edited this way.
• Using the wrong edit button: Some users tap the auto-enhance wand or the filters button, which doesn’t affect the blur. You must tap the Portrait icon specifically.
• Over-blurring: Cranking the slider all the way to the right can make the subject look cut out and unnatural. A subtle blur usually looks better.
• Expecting to remove blur: You can only adjust the blur amount, not remove it entirely. The minimum blur is still a slight background separation.

Tips

• If you want to add Portrait mode to an existing photo, take the photo with the Portrait mode camera setting, not the regular Photo mode.
• For best results, shoot in Portrait mode with good lighting. The depth map is more accurate when the subject is well-lit.
• You can also adjust the blur on Live Photos taken in Portrait mode, but the effect will apply to the entire photo, not just a specific frame.
• If you’re using an iPhone with a LiDAR scanner (iPhone 12 Pro and later), Portrait mode works in low light too, giving you more editing flexibility.
• To copy the depth effect to another photo, you can’t directly, but you can use the same settings next time you shoot.

Troubleshooting

No Portrait badge on the photo: If you don’t see the badge, the photo wasn’t taken in Portrait mode. Check the camera app: if you’re using a device that supports Portrait mode, make sure you select the “Portrait” mode (the icon with a person and a blurred background) before taking the photo.

Portrait button not showing in Edit: This can happen if the photo is a screenshot, an edited copy, or was transferred from another device without depth data. Try opening the original photo from iCloud or your camera roll.

Depth slider not appearing: If you tap the Portrait button but no slider appears, your iOS version might be too old. Update to the latest iOS version (Settings > General > Software Update).

Changes not saving: If you tap Done but the changes don’t stick, make sure you have enough storage space on your device. Also, try closing the Photos app and reopening it.

Photo appears with a black background: This is a rare glitch. Force-quit the Photos app and reopen it. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn a regular photo into Portrait mode?
No, you can’t add true depth-based Portrait mode to a photo that wasn’t taken with it. The camera needs to capture depth information at the time of shooting. Third-party apps can simulate a blur effect, but it won’t be as accurate.

Why is my Portrait mode photo not editable?
If the photo doesn’t have a Portrait or Depth badge, it doesn’t contain depth data. This can happen if you took the photo in a different mode, or if the photo was compressed when shared. Also, older iPhone models may not support editing depth effects.

Can I adjust the blur on a photo I took in Portrait mode on an older iPhone?
Yes, if you have an iPhone 7 Plus or later and iOS 11 or later, you can adjust the blur. The Depth Control feature was introduced with iOS 11, so make sure your software is up to date.

Will editing the blur affect the original photo?
No, your edits are non-destructive. The original photo is always preserved, and you can revert to it at any time by tapping Edit > Revert.

Can I use Portrait mode on a photo taken with the front camera?
Yes, if your iPhone supports Portrait mode on the front camera (iPhone X and later), you can adjust the blur on those selfies as well.

Does Portrait mode work on pets or objects?
Yes, on newer iPhones (iPhone XS and later), Portrait mode can detect pets and objects, and you can adjust the blur on those photos too, as long as depth data was captured.

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