Learn how to enable RAW image capture and use the Camera app or third-party iOS apps to take Apple ProRAW or standard RAW photos on your iPhone.
Difference between RAW and JPEG images
When you take a picture on your smartphone, extra processing is done to make the image look pleasing and reduce its file size significantly. However, if you want greater control when editing a photo, you can shoot in RAW mode.
A RAW file retains all the original, unprocessed, and uncompressed photo data that your iPhone camera sensor captures. As a result, the file is large and may look dull because the software hasn’t fine-tuned it as you’re accustomed to.
Since a RAW photo contains all the details the camera sensor gathers, it gives you the flexibility to edit it just the way you like by adjusting values such as exposure, colors, white balance, sharpness, brightness, and noise reduction. This is why professional photographers and photography enthusiasts prefer the RAW format for better editing control in post-production.
On the other hand, JPEG/JPG or HEIF images are automatically edited and compressed by your iPhone, making them look nicer and smaller in file size. This makes them perfect for sharing on social media, sending via email, or storing locally on your device.
When you edit a JPEG or HEIF image, you’re modifying the values of an already edited and compressed file.
Difference between RAW and Apple ProRAW format
While standard RAW images don’t add extra processing to the final picture, Apple ProRAW does a bit of work, though not as much as a regular JPEG file. Apple says:
“Apple ProRAW combines the information of a standard RAW format along with iPhone image processing to offer additional creative control when you make adjustments to exposure, color, and white balance.”
Here is a side-by-side picture by Reddit user wjohhan that shows the visual difference between standard RAW and Apple ProRAW images. You can see more examples here.
We’ll first explain taking Apple ProRAW images using the stock Camera app and then standard RAW images with third-party iOS apps.
Supported models
You can take Apple ProRAW photos using the iOS Camera app on iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and all newer Pro and Pro Max models. And you can take standard RAW photos using third-party apps even if you have a non-Pro model, like the iPhone 11.
Take ProRAW photos using the iPhone Camera
1) Open the Settings app and tap Camera > Formats. Then, turn on ProRAW & Resolution Control or ProRAW.
2) Launch the stock Camera app and make sure you’re in photo mode.
3) Tap the crossed-out RAW MAX or RAW button from the top to activate RAW photo mode.
4) Take a photo.
5) Go to the Photos app and open the picture you just took. Swipe up or tap the info button ⓘ to confirm that the file format is “RAW”.
Note:
- Both front and rear cameras support Apple ProRAW.
- Apple ProRAW is not available in Portrait mode or when Live Photos is active.
Change the resolution of ProRAW images
iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, and newer Pro/Pro Max models let you take pictures in 12 MP or 48 MP resolution. The 48 MP image is ideal if you want to crop it, but it’s about three times larger in size compared to a 12 MP photo.
Touch and hold the RAW button from the top of the Camera interface and select RAW MAX (48 MP) or RAW 12 (12 MP). HEIF MAX also takes 48 MP pictures, but that’s not RAW file.
Alternatively, go to iPhone Settings > Camera > Formats > Pro Default and select ProRAW Max (up to 48 MP) or ProRAW 12 MP.
Note that photos taken with the Ultra Wide camera, Telephoto camera, Night mode, flash, and macro mode are only saved at 12 MP. However, if you have the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, you can take 48 MP ultra-wide and macro photos, as these newer devices have a 48 MP Ultra Wide camera, similar to the 48 MP main camera.
Preserve your ProRAW setting for the future
Even if you leave ProRAW settings enabled, it will turn off automatically after leaving the Camera app for a while. But if you want the camera to remember your preference, go to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings and turn on the switch for ProRAW & Resolution Control or ProRAW.
Edit RAW photos
You can edit Apple ProRAW and other RAW pictures inside the Apple Photos app or third-party apps like Darkroom. If you want to retain the original RAW image, duplicate it before editing or revert the change later.
Export Apple ProRAW photos from your iPhone
Apple uses the DNG format for its ProRAW files, which is an industry standard and supported across several apps. You can also edit Apple ProRAW DNG files in third-party apps like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom on your computer (Mac | Windows PC) or Pixelmator on your Mac.
Here are some easy ways to share ProRAW photos from your iPhone to other devices.
Use iCloud Photos
If you use iCloud Photos, it also saves your RAW photos and makes them available on other devices, including Windows PC.
Use AirDrop
You can send the RAW photo to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone using AirDrop like any regular image.
However, if you edit the RAW image on your iPhone and then AirDrop it, only the edited JPG file is shared. To address this:
- Duplicate the edited image and open one of its copies. Now, tap the edit icon for the edited RAW photo, hit Revert > Revert to Original, and then AirDrop it to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Select the share icon for an edited RAW photo and hit Options from the top. Turn on All Photos Data and tap Done. Finally, choose AirDrop from the iOS Share Sheet and select your Mac. You’ll see a folder on your Mac with the original RAW file (.DNG extension) and the edited image file (.JPG extension).
Use Image Capture on a Mac or the Windows Photos app on a PC
Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC using a USB cable.
- Open Image Capture on Mac, select your RAW iPhone photos, and hit Download. You can also use it to get both edited and original versions of the image.
- If you’re on a Windows PC, open the Microsoft Photos app, click Import from the top, select your iPhone, and then transfer the RAW images to your computer.
Take RAW photos on any iPhone using third-party apps
The iOS App Store has several camera apps to take RAW or Apple ProRAW photos, such as RAW Camera, ProCam, ReLens, and Halide. These apps let you shoot in RAW, even on regular, non-Pro iPhones, like the iPhone 11. Some also allow you to manually control the values right on the camera viewfinder.
- Open RAW Camera on your iPhone.
- Tap the button at the top and set the photo file type to RAW or Apple ProRAW.
- Use the manual controls if needed, and then hit the shutter button to take a RAW picture.
Also, check out: How to record ProRes video on iPhone or onto an external drive