Where to find aperture control on your iPhone
Not all iPhones let you change aperture manually. Only iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and newer models with a Pro designation have this feature. If you own one of these phones, aperture control lives in the Camera app under a setting called Depth Control or in Portrait mode's manual controls.
Open the Camera app and switch to Portrait mode. Look for a dial or slider marked with an "f" number — this is your aperture control. The number appears as something like f/1.4, f/2.0, or f/2.8. A lower number means a wider aperture (more light, blurrier background). A higher number means a narrower aperture (less light, sharper background).
On iPhone 14 Pro and later, you can also adjust aperture in standard photo mode, not just Portrait. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal additional controls, then look for the aperture slider.
Key Takeaways
- Only iPhone 11 Pro and newer Pro models allow manual aperture adjustment; standard iPhones do not have this control.
- Aperture control appears as an f-number slider in Portrait mode, where lower numbers create a blurrier background and higher numbers keep more of the scene sharp.
- On iPhone 14 Pro and later, you can adjust aperture in regular photo mode by swiping up to reveal the full control panel.
- Changing aperture after you take the photo is not possible; you must adjust it before pressing the shutter button.
How aperture numbers work on iPhone
The f-number tells you how wide the lens opening is. iPhone Pro models typically range from f/1.4 to f/16, though the exact range depends on which lens you are using. The telephoto lens (the zoomed-in one) has a narrower maximum aperture than the wide lens, so it may only go down to f/2.0 or f/2.8.
Lower numbers (f/1.4, f/1.8) let in more light and create a dramatic blur in the background — useful in dim rooms or when you want the subject to stand out. Higher numbers (f/8, f/16) let in less light and keep more of the scene in focus — useful outdoors or when you want to see detail throughout the image.
The aperture you choose affects how much light the sensor receives, so if you pick a very narrow aperture (f/16) indoors, your photo will be darker. iPhone's exposure compensation can brighten it, but you may see more noise in the final image.
Adjusting aperture before you shoot
Open Portrait mode and frame your shot. Before you press the shutter button, locate the aperture slider. On most Pro iPhones, it appears as a horizontal slider at the bottom of the screen or as a dial you can rotate. Drag the slider left to increase the f-number (narrower aperture, sharper background) or right to decrease it (wider aperture, blurrier background).
Watch the preview as you move the slider — you will see the background blur change in real time. This is called the depth effect or bokeh. Once you have the look you want, press the shutter button to capture the photo.
If you are using iPhone 14 Pro or later in standard photo mode, swipe up from the bottom to reveal the full control panel, then find and adjust the aperture slider before shooting.
Why aperture control matters for phone photography
Smartphone cameras have very small sensors compared to dedicated cameras, which means they naturally keep almost everything in focus. Aperture control lets you break that rule and create a shallow depth of field — the blurred background effect that makes portraits look professional.
Controlling aperture also helps you manage light. In a bright outdoor setting, a narrow aperture (high f-number) reduces the amount of light hitting the sensor, so your photo does not wash out. In a dim room, a wide aperture (low f-number) gathers as much light as possible, letting you shoot without a flash.
The trade-off is that wider apertures reduce sharpness slightly and can introduce lens distortion. Narrower apertures keep everything sharp but require more light. Finding the right balance depends on your scene and what you are trying to show.
Aperture on different iPhone Pro lenses
iPhone Pro models include multiple lenses, and each has different aperture limits. The wide lens (the default one) typically opens to f/1.4 or f/1.8 and is the most flexible for aperture adjustment. The telephoto lens (2x or 3x zoom) usually maxes out at f/2.0 or f/2.8 because of its longer focal length. The ultra-wide lens (0.5x zoom) may have a fixed aperture you cannot change.
When you zoom in on your subject, iPhone may automatically switch to the telephoto lens. If you notice the aperture slider disappears or becomes grayed out, it means that lens does not support manual aperture control. Switch back to the wide lens or move closer to your subject to regain control.
Aperture and Portrait mode depth effect
Portrait mode uses both aperture and computational depth sensing to create the blurred background. The aperture slider controls how aggressive that blur is, but the effect also depends on the distance between your subject and the background. A subject very close to a wall will show less blur than a subject far from the background, even at the same aperture setting.
If the depth effect looks wrong — for example, the blur is cutting into your subject's face or missing the background entirely — try moving your subject farther from the background or adjusting the aperture to a wider setting (lower f-number). You can also retake the photo and adjust the depth effect afterward in the Photos app by opening the image, tapping Edit, and using the Depth Control slider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change aperture on a regular iPhone or iPhone 13?
No. Manual aperture control is only available on Pro models: iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and newer. Standard iPhones and non-Pro models do not have this feature. Portrait mode on those phones uses fixed aperture settings you cannot adjust.
What happens if I set aperture to f/16 indoors?
Your photo will be very dark because f/16 is a narrow opening that lets in very little light. You can use exposure compensation to brighten it, but the image may look grainy or noisy. For indoor shots, try a wider aperture like f/2.0 or f/2.8 instead.
Can I change aperture after I take the photo?
Not the original aperture, but you can adjust the depth effect (background blur) after shooting in Portrait mode. Open the photo in the Photos app, tap Edit, and use the Depth Control slider at the bottom. This simulates a different aperture, though it is not the same as capturing with that aperture originally.
Does aperture control work with the selfie camera?
Yes, on iPhone 12 Pro and later. The front-facing camera supports Portrait mode with aperture adjustment. Open the Camera app, switch to Portrait mode, flip to the front camera, and adjust the aperture slider the same way you would with the rear camera.
What aperture should I use for outdoor portraits?
Start with f/2.0 to f/4.0 for outdoor portraits. This range gives you a noticeable blurred background while keeping your subject sharp and gathering enough light in daylight. If the background blur is not strong enough, try f/1.4 or f/1.8. If your photo is too bright, increase the f-number to f/5.6 or higher.