• Forums
  • Shop
  • iPhone 13
  • AirPods Deals
  • iPad Deals
  • Best Apple Watch
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. News
  4. /
  5. Apple
Lens flare

iOS 15 beta automatically removes famous iPhone lens flare from photos

Not sure how we feel about this...
Stephen Warwick
4 Aug 2021

iPhone 12 Pro reviewSource: Daniel Bader / iMore

What you need to know

  • iOS 15 users are reporting a massive change to photos in the latest beta.
  • It seems that beta 4 includes a feature that removes Apple's famous 'green orb' lens flare from photos in post-processing.

A change spotted in iOS 15 appears to indicate that the most recent beta of Apple's new software for iPhone 12 and beyond can automatically remove Apple's famous 'green orb' lens flare from iPhone photos in post-processing.

Big news: the latest iOS 15 beta automatically removes the famous 'green orb' lens flares we are so used to on iPhones. Thoughts? https://t.co/l6OQ3vRVRR pic.twitter.com/4wtorXaZxt

— Halide (@halidecamera) August 4, 2021

According to a user on reddit, Apple's iOS 15 camera app can remove lens flare from photos in post-processing, as seen in the side by side photos above. (Look above the trees to the sky on the left-hand side of the photo).

After one user raised the feature, another user replied "Well S***, you're right!", before noting a caveat that the feature doesn't seem to work on all textures like trees or through screens.

Users have noted that this feature isn't exclusive to the iPhone 12, with some stating it works on the iPhone XS too, suggesting it will work across Apple's range of devices. Comments indicate the feature doesn't seem to work for videos or live photos, only still images, and that there seems to be some sort of software judgment made on when to remove the flare:

It definitely has a judgement system as another redditor pointed out - I imagine in doors it thinks it's just a light that's supposed to be there. I've tested this out quite a bit outside and if the lens flare is massive (covering a lot of the photo) it just leaves it, but if it's a small to medium sized dot in a place that's obviously not supposed to be there it'll delete it

Another user noting:

Yeah there's a general lens flare that just happens with photography and then there's this more anomalistic lens flare popping up in the last few generations of iPhone cameras.

This seems to be only tackling the second one, which would explain why the indoor flares aren't being touched since that's going to happen in general with most cameras.

With iOS 15 Apple also debuted Portrait mode for FaceTime calls and Live Text, which uses your device's camera to scan for text and copy it.

PSA: Send your 4th of July iMessages with fireworks this year
Celebrate!

PSA: Send your 4th of July iMessages with fireworks this year

This year, try to remember to use iMessage's cool Send with Fireworks feature when wishing friends and family a happy Independence Day. You've probably thought about doing it after the fact, when it's too late. This year's the year you remember!

Review: 1More Evo earbuds earn their place amongst the top dogs
In-ear headphones

Review: 1More Evo earbuds earn their place amongst the top dogs

1More, a globally distributed audio company recently launched the 1More Evo earbuds — their most evolved in-ear headphones to date. Here are the pros and cons of the new powerful earbuds.

iPhone 14 likely to be a big downgrade from iPhone 14 Pro for this reason
Speedy chips

iPhone 14 likely to be a big downgrade from iPhone 14 Pro for this reason

Apple is strongly expected to announce its iPhone 14 lineup this fall and a new report adds fuel to existing expectations that at least two of the new handsets won't get a speed boost.

Deck your dorm with the coolest stuff
Make it your own

Deck your dorm with the coolest stuff

Dorm rooms can be plain, so you're going to want to deck it out with as much cool stuff as you possibly can - here are our picks for the essentials!

Keep in Touch

Sign up now to get the latest news, deals & more from iMore!

I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands.

I would like to receive mail from Future partners.

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.

  • News
  • iOS 15
  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac
  • Apple TV
  • Reviews
  • How To
  • HomeKit
  • Forums

Other Categories

  • About Us
  • Newsletter
  • Fitness
  • Apps
  • Gaming
  • Deals
  • Advertising Inquiries
  • Licensing and Reprints
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Android Central
  • Windows Central
  • Thrifter
  • TechnoBuffalo
  • MrMobile
Log in or Sign up
  • t
  • f
  • y
  • i
  • r

Brightness

  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement