To make a long-exposure-style image with the built-in iPhone apps, take a Live Photo and choose Long Exposure in Photos. This uses motion captured around the photo. It is not evidence that the sensor was exposed continuously for 15 or 30 seconds.
Take the Live Photo
- Open Camera in Photo mode.
- Make sure Live Photo is enabled. Apple’s current instructions place this under Camera Controls; the visible controls can differ by iOS version.
- Hold the phone steady before, during and after the shutter press.
- Use a scene with moving detail and a mostly stationary background, such as water beside a fixed riverbank.
Apply Long Exposure
- Open the Live Photo in Photos.
- Tap the Live Photo button near the top of the screen.
- Select Long Exposure.
- Inspect both the moving subject and edges that should remain still.
These steps follow Apple’s Live Photos instructions, updated September 14, 2026. Apple describes recording about 1.5 seconds before and after the still capture. We have not tested a particular iPhone/iOS combination or produced an original before/after phone image for this revision.
Why the option may be missing
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the source actually a Live Photo? | A normal still image does not contain the same motion capture. |
| Did you receive a still export? | A shared JPEG or other still copy may not retain Live Photo data. |
| Was it edited in another app? | Apple notes that third-party editing can remove Live Photo effects. |
| Are you looking at the current Live Photo controls? | Older tutorials may show a different interface path. |
Make the capture easier to combine
Brace the phone or use a stable support. Let movement occur within the frame instead of panning the entire scene. Check for ghosting around people, branches and other moving objects. A tripod can help keep the background consistent, but it does not guarantee a clean blend.
What about apps offering 15 seconds, 30 seconds or bulb?
Check what the app actually controls on your device. A displayed duration may refer to a capture sequence or accumulation period, rather than one continuous sensor exposure. Verify the app’s current documentation, supported devices and saved-file metadata before describing it as a true shutter duration. This guide does not certify any app’s 30-second sensor exposure.
Long Exposure, Night mode and third-party motion accumulation are different workflows. Choose the effect you need and inspect the resulting file. For longer light paths and broader camera technique, see light-trail photography; for a delayed shutter press, see the iPhone timer guide.
