Skip to Content

Portrait Mode on iPhone 11 Works With Objects and Pets

by

Portrait Mode on the new iPhone 11 works with not only human faces, but also objects and pets, according to Apple.

iphone 11 portrait mode

Apple's sample photos of Portrait Mode on the ‌iPhone‌ 11

From the iPhone 11 page:

Take portraits to new places. With new kinds of portraits and more lighting controls, the dual cameras in iPhone 11 work together to create stunning images. And Portrait mode now works with everything you love to shoot — that includes your best friends, two‑legged or four.

While this was already possible on the ‌iPhone‌ X, ‌iPhone‌ XS, and ‌iPhone‌ XS Max, Portrait Mode on the ‌iPhone‌ XR was only able to detect human faces in Apple's stock Camera app. (A few third-party apps like Halide did manage to enable Portrait Mode for objects and pets on the ‌iPhone‌ XR.)

There are also six Portrait Lighting effects available on the ‌iPhone‌ 11, including Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, and High‑Key Mono. This is up from three on the ‌iPhone‌ XR: Natural, Studio, and Contour.

Portrait Mode automatically creates a depth-of-field effect known as bokeh, allowing ‌iPhone‌ users to shoot a photo that keeps the subject sharp with a blurred background, while Portrait Lighting applies studio-quality lighting effects like black-and-white stage lighting to the Portrait Mode photos.

To use Portrait Mode, open the Camera app and swipe to Portrait mode. Portrait Lighting effects will appear at the bottom of the viewfinder.

‌iPhone‌ 11 is the direct successor to the ‌iPhone‌ XR, with features including a dual-lens rear camera system with Ultra Wide and Night modes, faster A13 Bionic chip, improved water resistance, six new colors, up to one hour longer battery life, Dolby Atmos sound, 802.11ax Wi‑Fi, Gigabit-class LTE, and more.

Tags: Portrait Lighting, Portrait Mode
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

69Mustang Avatar
69Mustang
84 months ago
On XR it was only working for people due to a lack of second camera.
I personally think it was only working for people due to software limitations, not the single lens. Google made it work with 1 lens and machine learning. I think Apple could have done the same thing, but figured it wasn't worth it because 1. desire to sell more flagships and 2. desire to sell more flagships.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
EugW
84 months ago
This is a bit weird because I've been using portrait mode with objects for a long time with my iPhone 7 plus... :confused:

It has some trouble with certain things, like the foam on a glass of beer, and the whiskers on cats, but most of the time it's quite good. :)

Edit: ...or has objects been meant to work on all (earlier) phones with dual lenses for a while now...? ;)
It’s always worked on dual lens cameras. In fact, Portrait Mode was the main selling point of the 7 Plus.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
Mactendo
84 months ago
Yeah, when they said this yesterday I was confused, as I know for a fact I've been taking Portraits of my dogs using Portrait mode since I got an X. Maybe they mean it's optimised to be easier? But I've never had issues
On XR it was only working for people due to a lack of second camera.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
EugW
84 months ago
My iPhone X always did this. Why is this news
The answer has already been posted in this short thread several times.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisMoBro Avatar
ChrisMoBro
84 months ago
This is a bit weird because I've been using portrait mode with objects for a long time with my iPhone 7 plus... :confused:

It has some trouble with certain things, like the foam on a glass of beer, and the whiskers on cats, but most of the time it's quite good. :)

Edit: ...or has objects been meant to work on all (earlier) phones with dual lenses for a while now...? ;)
Read the second paragraph again.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Donahue Avatar
Mr. Donahue
84 months ago
On XR it was only working for people due to a lack of second camera.
Nah bro it’s software locked. The XR can do it they just don’t implement it.
[doublepost=1568239468][/doublepost]
Deliberate software limitation. Quite pathetic of Apple to claim this is hardware limited.
They do this soooo much with so many things. It’s shameful to see so many people not, realize it?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iphone fold text

iPhone Fold Crease Measurements Revealed as Device Hits Production

Wednesday February 25, 2026 5:37 am PST by
Apple has submitted production line orders for its upcoming foldable iPhone, effectively confirming that the device will launch this year, claims a Chinese leaker. According to the Weibo account "Fixed Focus Digital," assembly lines recently received the orders from Apple, which has apparently allowed the leaker to learn the crease measurements for the device's 7.8-inch inner display....
Read Full Article • 136 comments
m3 macbook pro blue

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro: What to Expect

Wednesday February 25, 2026 3:02 pm PST by
Apple is working on a new MacBook Pro that could launch next week ahead of the "Special Experience" planned for March 4, so we thought we'd highlight all of the rumors about the device so far. Design There are no rumors of design changes, and we are expecting the upcoming M5 MacBook Pro models to look just like the M4 versions. Apple will continue to offer 14-inch and 16-inch size options,...
Read Full Article • 78 comments
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Leaker Says Apple's Lower-Cost MacBook Will Have These 8 Limitations

Wednesday February 25, 2026 9:25 am PST by
Apple is expected to unveil its long-rumored lower-cost MacBook next week. Given it will be more affordable, this MacBook model will obviously have some reduced specs and compromises compared to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. While we are still waiting for Apple to announce the new MacBook, a leaker has shared eight alleged limitations to expect, based on an internal version of Apple's...
Read Full Article • 360 comments