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.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

69Mustang Avatar
81 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
81 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)
Mactendo Avatar
81 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
81 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
81 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
81 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)

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...