iPhone 17 Pro Drops Night Mode in Portrait: Here’s What You Need to Know

iPhone 17 Pro Drops Night Mode in Portrait: Here’s What You Need to Know

Apple’s newest flagship, the iPhone 17 Pro, is missing a popular camera feature that many users have relied on for years — Night mode in Portrait. According to Apple’s support documentation, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max no longer support Portrait mode with Night mode, a capability that older models still have.

This discovery first surfaced in community discussions last month, where users noticed the option was nowhere to be found. Many assumed it was a bug. Even tech reviewers, including Tom Warren from The Verge, confirmed the feature was missing on their devices. But Apple’s support page makes it clear: it’s not a glitch, it’s simply gone.

Which iPhones Still Support Night Mode in Portrait?

Apple lists the following devices as compatible with Night mode Portrait:

• 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

Notably missing: the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, despite being newer and more powerful.

What You Can Still Do on the iPhone 17 Pro

While the Portrait Night mode is gone, the iPhone 17 Pro still supports Night mode in other ways:

• Standard Photo mode
• Selfies
• Time-lapse videos

This means low-light photography isn’t entirely compromised — but users who prefer that blurred background Portrait look will now have fewer options at night.

Why Did Apple Remove the Feature?

Apple hasn’t given an official explanation.
There’s also no confirmation on whether Night mode Portrait will return in a future software update.

For now, the lack of this feature makes low-light Portrait shots feel like a step backward, especially considering Apple’s usual focus on camera upgrades.

Should You Be Concerned?

If you rely heavily on Portrait shots in low light — especially for creative or professional use — this change may affect your workflow. Standard Night mode still performs well, but you’ll lose the depth-of-field effect that makes portraits pop.

Until Apple comments or updates iOS, users will have to work around the missing feature or stick to older Pro models that still support it.

TechCity