Filters were once used to try and salvage the often-poor images captured by iPhone cameras. Now that iPhones have good cameras, filters are simply a way to have some fun. Flashes are another story. They can and do still cause redeye on occasion. That's why the Photos app for iPhone and iPad offers redeye removal (when necessary) and filters — including mono, tonal, noir, fade, chrome, process, transfer, and instant — for whenever you want to change the mood.

How to use filters in Photos for iPhone and iPad

Filters are handy when you want to salvage an image or a photo that didn't turn out the way you'd hoped, or you want to change the mood and go for a special effect.

  1. Launch the Photos app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on the photo you want to filter.

  3. Tap the edit menu along the bottom of the screen. It looks like three horizontal lines.

    NOTE: In iOS 9, the Edit button is on the top right.

    Launch Photos, choose a photo, tap Edit

  4. Tap the Filters button in the bottom menu.
  5. Tap on the filter you want to apply.

  6. Tap Done.

    Tap the filters button, choose a filter, tap Done

If, after some experimentation, you decide you want more from your filters than the built-in ones have to offer, there are several really good alternatives in the App Store like VSCO, LINE Camera, and of course everyone's favorite, Instagram!

How to fix redeye with the Photos app on your iPhone and iPad

You won't see the redeye correction tool unless you are trying to edit a photo that actually contains a redeye issue. This is because iOS now auto-detects redeye issues and only offers the tool when there's something it thinks needs to be corrected.

  1. Launch the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap on the photo you'd like to remove redeye from.

  3. Tap the edit menu along the bottom of the screen. It looks like three horizontal lines with sliders on them.

    NOTE: In iOS 9, the Edit button is on the top right.

    Launch Photos, choose a photo, tap Edit

  4. Tap on the redeye correction tool — it looks like an eye with a line through it.
  5. Tap on each red eye in order to correct it.

  6. Tap Done when you're finished.

    Tap the redeye button, tap each red eye, tap Done

In the name of screenshots, I tried my best to take a photo that had redeye, but the iPhone already does a great job of eliminating redeye in low-light photos.

You probably won't have to use this feature much, but it's there if you do.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below!

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