How to Apply Filters to Photos on Your Phone

Tap a device to see how.

iPhone

Open a photo in the Photos app, tap "Edit," then tap the filters icon (the overlapping circles) to preview and apply different filters.

Android

In the Gallery app's edit menu, select the "Filters" tab to try out a range of color filters.

Adjust the filter intensity

After picking a filter, dragging its slider lets you fine-tune exactly how strong the effect is.

Why this is useful

Without needing a separate editing app, you can easily transform a photo's mood into something more polished and shareable.

Photo-worthy tones without a separate app

The moody, stylized tones you often see on social media can be recreated with nothing more than the built-in photo app's filter feature. Trying out a few filters is a quick way to find a look you like.

Small edits pair well with filters

Combining a filter with light adjustments to brightness, contrast, or warmth, which most editors offer alongside filters, can make the final tone feel much more intentional than applying a filter alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I revert to the original after applying a filter?

Yes β€” choosing "Revert to original" in the edit screen undoes all edits, including filters, and restores the original photo.

Can filters be applied to videos too?

Yes, most built-in photo apps offer the same filter feature in their video editing screen as well.