How to Convert Normal Photos to Portrait on iPhone 15 and Older Models

Quick Tips

• If you use an iPhone 15/15 Pro, convert an image to portrait mode by turning on the Portrait option on the photo.
• You can also change the depth of field and adjust the focus on a picture you want to convert to portrait mode.
• Third-party apps like Google Photos, ReLens Camera, and Phocus can do the same on older iPhones.

Add Portrait Mode to an Existing Photo on iPhone 15 Series

Both the A17 Pro and the A16 Bionic have a neural engine and an image-sensing processor that help run various machine-learning algorithms on photographs to produce a depth of field. You can add the bokeh and depth effect to any photograph and make it look like it was captured using the portrait mode.

However, note that you cannot convert every photograph into a portrait. To add the depth effect, there must be a clear subject that your iPhone can detect.

Step 1: Open the Photos app on your iPhone and select the photo you want to convert to portrait mode.

Step 2: Tap on the Live icon at the top right corner. If the Portrait Off option is checked, select Portrait.

There you go – you can see that the photo is converted to portrait mode.

Step 3: You can also tap on edit > select Portrait > move the slider to adjust the aperture and the depth effect.

Additionally, you can also shift the focus when you convert a photo to portrait mode on your iPhone 15.

If you don’t own an iPhone 15, don’t worry. Here are three apps to help you do the same on an older iPhone.

3 Apps to Blur the Background of a Photo on an iPhone

The depth effect can be added to regular photos and make it look like it was taken in portrait mode on older iPhones using a few third-party apps.

1. Google Photos

Google Photos has one of the best sets of features for editing photos on your smartphone. However, you must subscribe to Google One to use many of these features, including the one that lets you convert images to portrait mode.

Once you subscribe to Google One, you can use the Blur tool on photos and adjust the level accordingly to produce the depth effect on your photos. In our opinion, it is the closest to the default portrait mode on the iPhone.

Download Google Photos

2. Phocus: Portrait Mode Camera

Phocus is another free, third-party application for converting photos into portrait mode on your iPhone. The app’s Portrait tool allows you to add depth effects to pictures, and you can also use the slider to adjust the intensity.

Further, the app also provides many bokeh effects to enhance your picture. In conclusion, the results were fine, and the edge detection was surprisingly good for a third-party application.

Download Phocus

3. ReLens Camera

ReLens Camera is another free app that lets you add depth effects to photos on your iPhone. We’re not sure to what extent these claims are true, but the app says it performs an AI analysis of depth information on photos to convert them to portrait mode. You can use the Aperture tab to produce and adjust the depth effect on photos. And we like the edge detection and the depth effect produced by the app.

Download ReLens Camera

Also Read: How to organize photos on iPhone