Project Indigo: Adobe camera now also for iPhone 17 – with limitations
The Photoshop manufacturer has released a major update for its free camera app. However, iPhone 17 owners cannot use everything yet.
Project Indigo on the iPhone: Images are intended to look more professional.
(Image: Adobe)
Adobe has adapted its alternative camera app for the iPhone for Apple's current smartphone generation—albeit not for all models. With Version 1.0.5 of Project Indigo, devices of the iPhone 17 series are now officially supported. However, some limitations are listed in the accompanying notes. Interestingly, the iPhone Air is not officially mentioned, meaning it did not receive specific adjustments.
Laboratory of Computational Photography
Project Indigo, which is currently distributed by Adobe as a free as a “lab application,” is said to zoom better than other camera apps and also perform more realistic image corrections. The results are intended to be similar to those of single-lens reflex cameras—overall more natural, even though Adobe specifically describes the app as a “computational photography” product. This usually describes a camera application that intervenes more heavily in the image captured by the sensor, but Adobe wants to do this primarily so that the iPhone camera works more like classic photographers are used to.
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Currently, Project Indigo also runs on iPhone 12 and 13 (only Pro and Pro Max, respectively) plus all iPhone models from series 14, 15, and 16. However, Adobe recommends using at least an iPhone 15 Pro or newer for the “best experience.” The basic idea of the app “Instead of taking a single photo, Project Indigo takes a series of photos with each shutter press and combines them into a high-quality photo with less noise and higher dynamic range.”
Limitations on the iPhone 17
Owners of an iPhone 17 model—regardless of the series—cannot currently use the front camera for Project Indigo. However, this is expected to change quickly: with iOS 26.1, which is expected this week, the feature will be enabled. The reason is that Apple will only deliver a necessary bug fix with the update. Further problems in Project Indigo 1.0.5 concern shots in low light with high ISO—in that case, night mode is better, according to Adobe (or a reduction of the ISO to 500 or less).
If Auto Exposure is active, there will be flickering in low light. The 4x zoom sensor on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max shows an overly bright display in the lower part of the image. All in all, Project Indigo remains interesting but also experimental.
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