How to Use Night Mode — Bright, Shake-Free Shots in the Dark

Night mode takes in light over a few seconds in dark places to make a bright, low-noise photo. It’s a lifesaver for night views and dim rooms, but it depends on you holding still.

How it works

Because there’s not enough light in the dark, Night mode keeps the shutter open for a few seconds to gather light. If the phone moves during that time, the image smears and blurs — so it helps to think of it as “brighter, but needs you to hold still.”

How to use it

Point the camera at a dark place and a duration (2 seconds, 3 seconds, etc.) appears automatically. After you press the shutter, keep the phone still until that countdown finishes. Resting it on a railing, a wall or a flat surface, or tucking both elbows against your body, all add stability. Pairing it with the timer also prevents the shake from pressing the shutter.

When it suits (and doesn’t)

It suits still subjects — night views, illuminations, food in a dim room (→ Photographing night views and illuminations / Fixing dark indoor photos). Moving subjects, on the other hand, blur during those few seconds, so they’re a weak point. For moving things, choose a brighter spot or use burst.

Start with just this

When the countdown appears, hold the phone still and don’t move until it finishes. Use the timer to prevent shutter-press shake. That alone clearly improves the “dark and grainy” of night and dim rooms.