iOS 15 has a new photo mode called Macro mode. This feature is exclusive to the latest iPhone models i.e., only the iPhone 13 models can use it. It rolled out with iOS 15 but with one rather unfortunate shortcoming; it’s always on.
Macro mode in Photos – iOS 15
Macro mode enables itself automatically when you point the camera at an object that will photograph better with the mode On. It basically mimics how Night mode turns on automatically if an object is too dark but unlike Night Mode, it can’t be turned off.
Deactivate Macro mode in Photos
Apple never added an off switch for Macro mode in iOS 15 which has been a problem for users who don’t want to use it. This has been corrected in iOS 15.2 which should be released shortly. There is now an ‘Off’ switch for macro mode in the camera app’s settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap the stock Camera app.
- Scroll to the bottom of settings screen and turn the Macro mode switch off.
Macro mode has to be turned off from the Camera app’s settings. Unlike Night Mode, you cannot enable or disable it from within the camera app. It’s an unfortunate shortcoming but it seems adding an off switch for the feature was an after-thought. It is easier to add the switch to the Settings app than it is to the Camera app. Maybe down the line, or perhaps in iOS 16, the On/Off switch for Macro mode will be accessible from inside the camera app.
iOS 15.2 release date
The off switch for Macro mode is coming in iOS 15.2. The current, stable release version of iOS is iOS 15.1 but as we mentioned, iOS 15.2 is going to be released in a few days. The current projected date is December 13, 2021 and that’s less than a week away.
Conclusion
Macro mode is limited to the latest iPhone model. It hasn’t been a problem for most iOS users, many of whom continue to use older iPhone models (which are working fine). Apple consistently upgrades and improves the camera and the camera app on its phone, regularly adding new features and in most cases, these features are added to the current iPhone model, and a few of the older ones. There are still instances though where some features in iOS are only available on the latest iPhone model. It doesn’t happen often but the older an iPhone model is, the fewer features from the latest iOS version it will be able to support.
