Edit Photos and Videos (iOS 18)

Enhancing Photos Right from the iPhone

Many photos and videos don’t turn out exactly as expected. They may look too dark, a little crooked, or not quite as vibrant as intended. The good news is that there’s no need to buy fancy apps or expensive editing software. The Photos app built into the iPhone offers powerful yet easy-to-use tools that can help improve pictures and videos with just a few taps.

Getting Started in the Photos App

To begin editing, open the Photos app on the iPhone. Inside, locate an album or folder where your photos and videos are stored. After selecting a photo or video to work with, tap on it to open it. Then, look along the bottom of the screen for the editing tools. Tap the Edit button, which looks like three horizontal lines, to enter edit mode. Once editing is complete, tapping “Done” will save your changes.

Using the Adjustment Tools

One of the most helpful features in the editing screen is the adjustments tool. This allows changes to be made to brightness, contrast, exposure, and sharpness. The tools that appear may vary depending on whether you’re editing a photo, a video, or other types of images. For example, videos may show trimming options.

Applying Auto Enhance

The first adjustment option is Auto. Tapping this will let the Photos app automatically improve the image by adjusting brightness, contrast, and similar settings. This can instantly make a photo look better. Tapping the button again will turn off the automatic enhancement and return the photo to its original look.

Manually Adjusting Individual Settings

Beyond the Auto option, you can make manual adjustments. Swipe through the list of tools at the bottom of the screen to find options such as exposure, brilliance, highlights, and shadows. Tapping one of these will show a slider that lets you fine-tune the image. For example, increasing the exposure brightens the photo. Each change is shown right away so you can see how it looks before saving.

Cropping and Straightening

The Photos app also allows you to crop and straighten pictures. Tap the crop tool, then drag the corners or edges to cut out parts of the image. If the photo is tilted, it can be straightened by adjusting the angle. There are also controls for flipping or rotating the image. Once satisfied, tap “Done” to apply the changes.

Applying Filters

Another available option is to apply filters. Filters can give photos a different mood or tone. Scroll through the list of filters to preview each one. Once a filter is selected, its strength can be adjusted using a slider. This helps to find the right balance without overdoing it.

Undoing and Reverting Changes

At any point, changes can be undone or adjusted. If you leave the editing screen and later want to undo everything, the Photos app provides a “Revert” option. This returns the photo or video to its original state, removing all edits that were made.