Alex Ruben
How To Apply Vivid Filter on iPhone: The Complete Guide
So, somehow, you want to give your photos that extra pop of color—without messing around with complicated editing software. The built-in Photos app does a pretty decent job if you know where to look, but honestly, it can be a little wonky sometimes. Maybe you’ve noticed that sometimes filters don’t seem to apply correctly, or the options are kinda hidden. No stress—this guide is here to give some clear steps, plus a few tips in case things go sideways.
In essence, you’ll be able to quickly capture, edit, and slap on a filter that makes your shot stand out. Plus, tweaking the filter intensity is a game-changer if you don’t want it to look overdone. After these steps, your photo should look vibrant, lively, and ready to impress, whether it’s for social media or just for fun. Let’s dive in!
How to Add a Vivid Filter to Your iPhone Photos
Getting a shot is the first step
This one’s obvious, but still worth mentioning—if you want a photo to edit, you gotta take one first. Open the Camera app (it’s on your home screen or in the control center). Switch to either Photo or Video mode—depends on what you wanna do. Tap the shutter to snap a pic or start recording. If the lighting is decent, you’re already ahead.
Quick tip: On some setups, if you switch to the Portrait mode or use the ProRAW option (if available), your edits might look even better. Because, of course, Apple has to make things a little complicated sometimes.
Find your shot in the gallery
- Open the Photos app, which is usually in the dock or on the home screen.
- Scroll or search to find your latest photo, or any one you want to jazz up.
Enter the editing menu
- Tap on the photo to view it fullscreen.
- Hit the Edit button—usually the icon with three sliders or bars. If you see a circle with “Edit” at the top, that works too. This is where the magic begins.
Apply a filter (the secret sauce)
- Tap the Filters option — it’s the icon that looks like a trio of circles or sometimes a magic wand depending on iOS version. Honestly, it’s kind of hidden in the menu, so expect to hunt around a little.
- Scroll through the options. Look for “Vivid”—it might be under different names depending on your iOS version, but it’s usually straightforward. Tap it to preview.
Adjust intensity — don’t go overboard
- Once you’ve selected your filter, a slider will appear below or beside it.
- Slide left to dial down the effect if it’s *too* punchy, or right to make it super vibrant. Play around until it feels just right. Honestly, not sure why it works, but in some cases, you gotta tweak that slider to avoid looking like a caricature.
Save your masterpiece
- When you’re happy with how it looks, tap Done at the top right. That’s it—you’ve successfully applied and tuned your filter.
Extra tips & common pitfalls
- Usually, experimenting with filters and their strength works better than just picking one blindly. Sometimes the default looks fine, but sometimes it’s way too harsh.
- If you’re editing photos taken in bad lighting, filters can sometimes emphasize noise or grain. Don’t expect miracles.
- Oh, and if a filter seems to just not be applying right, try restarting your phone or closing and reopening the Photos app. On some machines, this bugs out and needs a reboot or relaunch.
Wrap-up
Using the built-in Photos app to add a vivid filter isn’t rocket science, but it’s also not always as straightforward as it should be. The key is to mess around with filter strength because sometimes less is more. And yes, your mileage may vary depending on your iOS version, hardware, or just random quirks that Apple baked in. Still, with a little patience, anyone can spice up their photos without needing fancy third-party tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a filter after saving?
Yeah, if you wanna revert to the original, just hit Revert inside the same editing menu—you don’t have to start from scratch. No big deal.
Are there apps that do better filters?
Sure, especially if you want more control or different styles. Apps like VSCO, Snapseed, or Adobe Lightroom have more options, but they can be overkill if all you want is a quick filter fix.
Why can’t I find the filters?
This happens if your iPhone isn’t running the latest iOS. Check Settings > General > Software Update. Also, sometimes filters are a little hidden or renamed in newer versions, so poke around in the Edit screen if they aren’t obvious.