Apple Removes Night Mode Portrait Feature From iPhone 17 Pro Series
Apple has removed Night Mode support from Portrait mode on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Older Pro models still offer the feature, and Apple has yet to explain the change.
Night Mode remains available in standard shooting modes on the iPhone 17 Pro, but disappears when switching to Portrait mode.
Apple’s flagship iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are missing a popular photography feature that older Pro models continue to offer. According to Apple’s official support documentation, Night Mode is no longer available when shooting Portrait photos on the latest Pro lineup — a surprising downgrade for users who frequently capture low-light portraits.
Night Mode Missing in Portrait Mode on iPhone 17 Pro
While Night Mode still functions normally for standard Photo mode, selfies, and time-lapse videos, Portrait mode on the iPhone 17 Pro series does not support the feature. Apple’s compatibility list includes the following devices for Night Mode Portraits — none of which include the iPhone 17 Pro models:
- iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max
Users on Reddit have been discussing the missing feature since last month, with some believing it to be a software bug. Even tech reviewers, including The Verge’s Tom Warren, confirmed that the Night Mode button appears in regular Photo mode but disappears completely when switching to Portrait mode.
No Official Explanation From Apple Yet
Apple has not provided any clarification on why the feature was removed from the iPhone 17 Pro lineup or if it may return in a future software update. The limitation leaves users with fewer low-light photography options, especially those who prefer Portrait mode’s sharp subject focus and natural background blur.
Users Still Have Other Low-Light Options
Despite the omission in Portrait mode, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max users can continue to shoot Night Mode pictures in standard modes. However, photographers who rely heavily on low-light portraits may feel the absence, making the experience seem like a step backward compared to previous-generation Pro models.
