How to Change iPhone Camera Resolution (Photos and Video)

If you take photos for a shop listing, a blog, a client's social page or just family albums, resolution decides how much detail you keep and how big the files get. A higher setting is great for cropping, but it fills your phone faster. Apple gives you a few controls, and where they live depends on the model.

I've gone through Apple's iPhone User Guide pages on advanced camera settings, ProRAW and video recording. Apple keeps adding options, so menu names can differ on your phone. Where the model matters, Apple says so, and I've kept to that.

Where to change the iPhone camera photo resolution

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Camera.
3. Tap Formats.
4. Tap Photo Mode.
5. Choose 12 MP or 24 MP.

Apple says this changes the default resolution of the Main or Fusion camera from 24 MP to 12 MP on supported models. If you can't see Photo Mode, your iPhone model may not offer that choice, or your version of iOS may label it differently.

Getting 48 MP photos on an iPhone

Apple says that to capture at 48 MP, you go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and turn on Resolution Control or ProRAW & Resolution Control, depending on your model. Once it's on, Apple says to open Camera and use the control at the top of the screen to turn the format you want on and off.

For Apple ProRAW, the ProRAW page says that on iPhone 14 Pro and later Pro models you can capture at two resolutions, 12 megapixels or 48 megapixels. The 48 MP images keep more detail, which lets you zoom in and crop with more control. The 12 MP images give a smaller file.

Which iPhone cameras can use 48 MP

Apple is specific here. Only photos that you take with the main camera at 1x can be saved at 48 MP. Ultra Wide, Telephoto, Night mode, flash and macro photos can only be saved at 12 MP. So if you switch lenses, zoom in or shoot in low light, the resolution may drop.

That's worth knowing if you're comparing pictures and wondering why some look softer. It's often the lens or mode, not a setting you changed by accident.

File size and the resolution you choose

Apple gives a clear example for ProRAW: a file is approximately 25 MB at 12 MP and approximately 75 MB at 48 MP. Apple also says ProRAW files are much larger than standard HEIF or JPEG files, so you could run out of space faster than you'd expect.

Setting	What Apple says	Good for
12 MP	Smaller files	Everyday shots, sharing and saving space
24 MP	Default on supported Main or Fusion cameras	A balance of detail and file size
48 MP	Retains more detail, main camera at 1x only	Cropping and detailed product shots

If you also shoot through Snapchat, my guide to getting Portrait mode on Snapchat covers that camera, which has its own settings. And for a fun use of a sharp photo, there's my guide on where to make a photo talk with AI.

Changing iPhone video resolution and frame rate

Video has its own controls. Apple's video recording guide says Cinematic video is set to record at 1080 HD at 30 fps by default. To switch to 4K at 24 fps or 4K at 30 fps, go to Settings, then Camera, then Record Cinematic.

For Slo-mo, Apple says the default is 1080 HD at 240 fps from the back camera, and you can change the back camera to 120 fps under Settings, Camera, Record Slo-mo. Standard video options sit under Settings, Camera, Record Video, and Apple's guide points to a separate page on recording formats for resolution and frame rate values. I didn't find the step-by-step text for that page, so check it on your phone.

Auto FPS and low light video on an iPhone

Apple says that iPhone can improve low-light video by automatically reducing the frame rate to 24 fps. You'll find the controls under Settings, Camera, Record Video, where you can choose Auto FPS or Auto Low Light FPS, depending on your model. If your footage looks different from clip to clip, this is one setting to check.

If you can't find the resolution setting on your iPhone

1. Check your model. Apple says the 24 MP to 12 MP choice is on supported models only.
2. Look under Settings, then Camera, then Formats for Photo Mode, Resolution Control or ProRAW & Resolution Control.
3. Update iOS, because Apple adds options in newer versions.
4. Open Camera and look at the controls along the top of the screen for format options.
5. Use Apple's iPhone User Guide, which has a version picker for older iOS releases.

Choosing an iPhone camera resolution for content creators

A good rule: use 12 MP when you're sharing quickly, storing a lot, or posting to social platforms that shrink the picture anyway. Use 48 MP when you need to crop, print or capture fine detail on something that matters. Try both on a real subject, such as your product or your workspace, and decide what suits your files, not what sounds best on paper.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change the camera resolution on my iPhone?

Go to Settings, Camera, Formats, then Photo Mode, and choose 12 MP or 24 MP on supported models. For 48 MP, turn on Resolution Control or ProRAW & Resolution Control.

How do I take 48 MP photos on iPhone?

Apple says to turn on Resolution Control or ProRAW & Resolution Control under Settings, Camera, Formats, then use the control at the top of the Camera screen.

Why aren't all my iPhone photos 48 MP?

Apple says only main camera photos at 1x can be saved at 48 MP. Ultra Wide, Telephoto, Night mode, flash and macro photos can only be saved at 12 MP.

Does a higher resolution make bigger files?

Yes. Apple's example is a ProRAW file of approximately 25 MB at 12 MP and approximately 75 MB at 48 MP.

How do I change iPhone video resolution?

Apple's video settings are under Settings, Camera. For Cinematic video you can switch from 1080 HD at 30 fps to 4K at 24 fps or 30 fps under Record Cinematic.

Why can't I see Photo Mode in my Camera settings?

Apple says the choice is available on supported models, so your iPhone or iOS version may not offer it.