Apple ProRAW on iPhone: How to Shoot Like a Pro

If you love iPhone photography, you might have noticed the ‘RAW’ option in your Camera app but never bothered to try it. Here’s why you should—and exactly how to shoot Apple ProRAW photos on your iPhone.

What is Apple ProRAW?

Normally, when you take a photo on your iPhone, it’s saved as a JPEG or HEIC. These photos appear bright, sharp, and ready to share because your iPhone edits them automatically. But the downside is that you can’t edit them much later, as most details are compressed or permanently altered in the file.

RAW photos work differently. They retain all the original data from the camera sensor without any edits. This gives you full freedom to adjust brightness, shadows, or colors exactly how you want. However, RAW photos can initially look flat or dull since they don’t include Apple’s smart processing.

This is where Apple ProRAW comes in. It combines the best of both worlds:

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• You get full, unedited RAW data for maximum editing flexibility.
• Plus, Apple’s image processing enhances detail, color, and dynamic range right from the start.

In simple words: ProRAW gives you a RAW photo with Apple’s magic touch already added, so you get a great-looking image that you can still fine-tune to match your unique style.

Which iPhones Support ProRAW?

Only Pro models support shooting in Apple ProRAW:

• iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max
• iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max

How to Enable Apple ProRAW

Before you can shoot in ProRAW, you need to enable it:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Camera > Formats.
3. Turn on Apple ProRAW or ProRAW & Resolution Control.
   
   

Once it’s enabled, you’ll see a RAW button in your Camera app.

Also Read: 10 Best iPhone Camera Settings for Stunning Photos

How to Shoot with Apple ProRAW on iPhone

Here’s how to capture a ProRAW photo on your iPhone:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap the RAW button at the top to turn it on.
3. Frame your shot and tap the shutter button.

You can tap the RAW button anytime to toggle it on or off before capturing. If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or newer, you can choose between 12MP and 48MP ProRAW photos. Long-press the RAW button to select your preferred resolution.

Are RAW Photos Flagged in the Photos App?

After capturing a photo, you may want to confirm if it was shot in RAW. To check:

1. Open the Photos app and tap on the image.
2. You won’t see the RAW label in the thumbnail view, but when you open the photo fully, you’ll find a RAW tag at the top.

Apps like Adobe Lightroom make this even easier by showing a DNG sticker on RAW photos directly in the thumbnail view, making them easier to identify for editing.

Things to Remember When Shooting Apple ProRAW

• ProRAW photos are large, typically 20MB to 90MB, so they can quickly consume your storage.
• You can’t use ProRAW with Portrait mode or Live Photos.
• ProRAW works on all rear cameras and the front camera.
• Night mode and macro shots using the Ultra-Wide camera on iPhone 16 Pro can also support ProRAW at up to 48MP.
• ProRAW photos may look flat at first—editing is required. Use the Photos app for basic tweaks or Lightroom for full control.
• ProRAW files are saved in .DNG format.
• You can export them via iCloud, AirDrop (select All Photos Data), or transfer using Image Capture or the Photos app on Mac/PC.

Why Should You Use Apple ProRAW?

ProRAW is a powerful tool that turns your iPhone into a pro-level camera. Use it when you want the best image quality and full editing control. Since it retains all the details, you can fine-tune lighting, color, and tone even after the shot.

It’s ideal for landscape photography, night shots, or scenes with both shadows and highlights, where preserving every detail is essential. For casual photos, food pics, or selfies meant for quick sharing, JPEG is still the fastest option.

Related articles worth reading:

• How to Take Long-Exposure Photos on iPhone
• How to Capture Spatial Photos and Videos on iPhone
• How to Edit Photos on iPhone