This amazing TikTok iPhone tip lets you take pictures of the stars Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us.

This amazing TikTok iPhone tip lets you take pictures of the stars

By Alan Martin last updated 25 September 2022 The iPhone can take remarkably clear night sky photos with some clever editing (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Generally speaking, if you point your iPhone up at the night sky and snap a shot from the camera, the results won't be the kind of thing you'll be rushing out to show friends and family. But a tip from the TikToker Abdiel Medina shows the full flexibility of the iPhone's camera array - as long as you have anything from the latest iPhone 14 all the way back to 2019's iPhone 11. @ab_d_l (opens in new tab) ♬ original sound - Abdiel Medina (opens in new tab) To be clear, it's not a magical setting you can switch on to make your night sky photos instantly perfect, and it does require a little bit of effort. All the same, if you're witnessing a perfect blanket of stars on a clear night, it's worth taking the time to make the snap truly Instagram worthy. So here are the steps you need to take.

How to take night sky photos on iPhone 

1. In the darkest area you can find, open your camera app. 2. Night mode should be enabled automatically, but swipe up from the bottom, tap the night mode icon (it's the circle with a crescent moon outline, next to the flash) and adjust the exposure time to the maximum ten seconds (it will likely default to two or three). 3. Point your iPhone up at the sky and press the camera button to take the picture, then hold it as steady as you can for the full ten seconds. 4. Tap the photo from your camera roll and press the 'Edit' button at the bottom. 5. Scroll across two to 'Brilliance' and knock it down to about -25. 6. Scroll across three to 'Contrast' and turn it all the way up to 100. 7. Swipe across one more time to brightness and turn it down to somewhere between -100 and -80 to your taste. Now the stars really pop! Of course, there's only so much these editing refinements can do, and for the best results, you really want to avoid streetlights and remain as still as you can for the full exposure time. Even then you're at the mercy of your iPhone's camera hardware. So, if you're packing an older model, be sure to consult our list of the best camera phones when you upgrade, if photography is all important to you. For more on the iPhone 14 and its cameras, check out what happened when we tested the iPhone 14 Pro Max's new 48MP ProRAW mode versus 12MP shots. It's a very impressive difference. Next: How to turn on spatial audio on your iPhone.Today's best iphone 14 dealsPlansUnlockedNew customers can ... (opens in new tab)No contractApple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Apple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$49.54/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$49.54/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)New customers can ... (opens in new tab)No contractApple iPhone 14 (Installments 256GB) (opens in new tab)Apple iPhone 14 (Installments 256GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$53.71/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$53.71/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)New customers can ... (opens in new tab)No contractApple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Apple iPhone 14 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$54.54/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$54.54/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Alan Martin Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time. More about smartphones iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you? What is Mint Mobile, and is it worth it?Latest Next Doctor Who seasons exclusive to Disney Plus in the U.S. and beyondSee more latest ► Topics Smartphones See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1Is a firm or soft mattress better?2Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022) review3The best workout headphones in 20224Daily Quordle #274 - answers and hints for Tuesday, October 255The best business laptops in 20221Next Doctor Who seasons exclusive to Disney Plus in the U.S. and beyond2This fully waterproof speaker is just $69 in early Black Friday deal3The best cheap monthly VPN plans in 20224Is a firm or soft mattress better?5Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022) review