Apple Ends Night Mode Portrait on iPhone 17 Pro

Apple has discontinued a long-standing camera feature on its newest flagship smartphones, preventing iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max users from combining Night mode with Portrait mode, a capability available on previous Pro models since 2020.

The change affects low-light photography on the devices released earlier this year. When users select Portrait mode in the Camera app and simulate dim conditions, such as covering the lens, the Night mode indicator fails to appear, and no option to enable it shows in the settings panel. Similarly, images captured in Night mode lack the depth data required to convert them into portraits post-capture. This limitation applies to both rear and front-facing cameras. In contrast, older Pro models, including the iPhone 16 Pro, continue to support the combination even after updating to the latest iOS 26 software.

The feature, introduced with the iPhone 12 Pro, relied on LiDAR sensors and extended exposures to brighten portraits while applying a background blur for a depth-of-field effect. Night mode automatically adjusts exposure times, typically from one to 30 seconds, to capture more light in dark environments. On prior devices, this blended...