iPhone 11 Camera Filters: Step-by-Step Guide

This guide shows you how to apply, change, and remove photo filters directly in the iPhone 11 Camera app, both before you snap a picture and after you’ve taken it. You’ll learn the exact buttons to tap, how to preview filters live, and how to undo them later without losing your original photo.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone 11 (any model: standard, Pro, or Pro Max) running iOS 13 or later
The built-in Camera app (no third-party downloads required)
For editing existing photos: the Photos app (also built-in)

Step-by-Step

Applying a Filter Before Taking a Photo

Open the Camera app from your home screen or lock screen.
Make sure you are in Photo mode (the default, shown at the bottom of the viewfinder).
Look for the three overlapping circles icon in the top-right corner of the screen (just above the shutter button). Tap it.
A row of filter thumbnails appears at the bottom, above the shutter button. The current filter is highlighted in yellow.
Swipe left or right through the options: Original, Vivid, Vivid Warm, Vivid Cool, Dramatic, Dramatic Warm, Dramatic Cool, Mono, Silvertone, Noir.
Tap the filter you want. The live preview updates instantly so you can see the effect before shooting.
Tap the shutter button to take the photo. The filter is baked into the image file, but you can still remove it later (see Editing section).
To turn the filter off before shooting, tap the same three-circle icon and select Original.

Applying or Changing a Filter After Taking a Photo

Open the Photos app and tap the photo you want to edit.
Tap Edit in the top-right corner.
At the bottom of the editing screen, tap the three overlapping circles icon (third from the left).
Swipe through the filter thumbnails and tap one to apply it. The photo updates immediately.
Tap Done in the bottom-right corner to save your changes.

Removing a Filter from an Existing Photo

Open the photo in Photos and tap Edit.
Tap the three-circle icon.
Select Original (the first thumbnail).
Tap Done. The filter is removed, and the original colors are restored.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the filter is on: If you applied a filter for one shot and then forgot to switch back to Original, every subsequent photo will have that filter. Always check the yellow highlight on the filter icon before shooting.
Confusing filters with portrait lighting: In Portrait mode, the lighting effects (Natural, Studio, Contour) are separate from color filters. Tap the filter icon in Portrait mode to access the same filter list; the lighting controls are a different icon (a hexagon with a face).
Thinking filters are permanent: Filters applied in the Camera app are not destructive. You can always revert to Original in the Photos app, even months later.
Using filters in low light: Dramatic and Noir filters darken shadows, which can make low-light photos look muddy or too dark. Consider using Vivid or Original in dim conditions.

Tips

Preview before you shoot: The live preview shows the filter in real time, so move your phone around to see how it affects different lighting and subjects before pressing the shutter.
Combine with exposure adjustment: After applying a filter, tap the ^ arrow at the top of the screen to reveal the exposure slider (sun icon). Adjust it to brighten or darken the filtered image.
Use filters for consistency: If you’re posting a series of photos to social media, choose one filter (like Vivid Warm) and apply it to all shots for a cohesive look.
Shoot in Original and edit later: For maximum flexibility, take photos without a filter and apply one during editing. This way you can try multiple filters without committing.
Noir for black-and-white portraits: Noir gives a high-contrast, classic black-and-white look that works well for portraits and street photography.

Troubleshooting

Filter icon is missing: If you don’t see the three circles in the Camera app, make sure you’re in Photo mode (not Video, Slo-mo, or Pano). In Video mode, filters are not available. Also, check that your iPhone is not in a special mode like Time-lapse.
Filter doesn’t appear in the photo: If you took a photo and the filter isn’t visible, you may have accidentally tapped the shutter while the filter panel was closed. Re-open the filter panel and check which one is highlighted. If it says Original, no filter was applied.
Edit button is grayed out: This happens if the photo is a Live Photo that hasn’t finished processing, or if you’re viewing a photo that was synced from another device. Wait a few seconds and try again. If it’s a synced photo, you may need to duplicate it first (Share > Duplicate) before editing.
Filter looks different in Photos than in Camera: The Camera preview is a simplified representation. After taking the photo, the full-resolution image may show slightly different contrast or saturation. This is normal; adjust the filter in the Photos editor if needed.
Can’t revert to Original: If you edited the photo multiple times and saved, you can still revert. In the Edit screen, tap the three-circle icon, select Original, then tap Done. If you’ve applied other edits (crop, light), those remain; only the filter is removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply filters to videos on iPhone 11?
A: No, the Camera app does not offer color filters for video recording. You can only apply filters to still photos. For video, you’d need a third-party app that supports real-time filters.

Q: Do filters reduce photo quality?
A: No, filters are applied to the full-resolution image and do not reduce resolution or quality. The file size may change slightly, but the pixel dimensions remain the same.

Q: Can I adjust the intensity of a filter?
A: No, the built-in filters are fixed strength. You cannot slide to adjust how strong the effect is. To get a subtler look, apply the filter and then use the exposure or contrast sliders in the Photos editor to tweak the result.

Q: Will the filter be removed if I share the photo?
A: No, the filter is part of the image file. When you share it, the recipient sees the filtered version. If you later revert to Original in your Photos app, the shared copy still has the filter.

Q: Can I create my own custom filters?
A: Not with the built-in Camera app. You can only choose from the 10 preset filters. For custom filters, you’d need a third-party editing app like Snapseed, VSCO, or Adobe Lightroom.

Q: Why do some filters make skin look orange?
A: Filters like Vivid Warm and Dramatic Warm boost warm tones, which can exaggerate orange or yellow in skin. If you’re shooting portraits, try Vivid Cool or Mono instead, or adjust the color temperature slider in the Photos editor after applying the filter.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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