The Complete Guide to Shooting and Editing RAW Photos on Your Smartphone

There was a time, not too long ago, when “smartphone photography” was synonymous with “convenient but limited.” If you wanted to do any serious editing or capture high dynamic range, you would reach for your mirrorless camera or DSLR.

That has changed. Hooray!

Modern smartphones are now capable of capturing incredibly high-quality data through RAW files. If you’re serious about your mobile photography, whether you’re shooting street scenes or capturing an event, understanding how to unlock your phone’s RAW potential is the single biggest upgrade you can make.

In this guide, we’re going to dive deep into what RAW actually is, the best apps for Android and iPhone, and how to edit these files to get professional results.

What is a RAW Photo (and why should you care)?

When you take a standard photo on your phone, it’s saved as a JPEG. Your phone’s software edits the image: it applies contrast, sharpening, and saturation, and then throws away all the “extra” data it thinks you don’t need to save space.

A RAW file (often saved as a .DNG on mobile) is the “unprocessed” data from the sensor. It looks a bit flat and dull out of the box, but it contains significantly more information in the highlights and shadows.

Why shoot RAW?

• Greater dynamic range: You can recover details from a bright sky or a dark shadow that would be “clipped” (lost) in a JPEG.
• White balance control: You can adjust the photo’s color temperature after the fact without degrading quality.
• No over-sharpening: Native phone apps often over-sharpen JPEGs. RAW lets you control the look of the image yourself.

How to take RAW photos on Android

Most modern Android phones have RAW capabilities built right into the native camera app, but it’s often hidden.

1. Using the native camera app (Pro Mode)

If you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, or OnePlus from the last 3-4 years, you likely don’t need a new app to start.

• How to enable it: Open your camera app and look for the “Pro” or “Manual” tab. In that mode’s settings, look for “Save RAW copies” or “Image Format.”
• The benefit: It’s optimized for your specific phone’s lenses (including ultra-wide and telephoto).

2. Best third-party RAW camera apps for Android

If your native app is limited, or you want more “manual” control, these are the gold standard:

• ProCam X: This is a favorite for those who want a DSLR-like interface. It gives you full control over ISO, shutter speed, and focus peaking.
• Open Camera: If you want a powerful, completely free, and open-source option, this is it. It’s not the prettiest UI, but it’s incredibly functional for RAW capture.
• Adobe Lightroom Mobile: my personal recommendation. Not only is the camera interface excellent, but it also saves the RAW files directly into your Lightroom library for a seamless workflow.

How to take RAW photos on iPhone

For a long time, iOS users needed third-party apps to shoot RAW. That changed with the introduction of Apple ProRAW.

1. Apple ProRAW (iPhone 12 Pro and later)

If you have a “Pro” model iPhone, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and toggle on Apple ProRAW. You’ll then see a “RAW” button in the top corner of your standard camera app.

2. Third-Party iOS Apps

If you don’t have a Pro model, or you want more control, these are the top picks:

• Halide Mark II: Widely considered the best photography app on the App Store. It has a beautiful interface and a “Process Zero” feature that avoids the “iPhone look” entirely.
• Moment: Created by the lens manufacturer, this app is perfect for photographers who want precise manual controls.

The missing link: How to edit RAW photos on your phone

Shooting RAW is only half the battle. Because the files are flat, they require editing to look their best.

1. Adobe Lightroom (iOS & Android)

Lightroom remains the king of RAW editing. It uses the same engine as the desktop version, meaning the RAW processing is world-class. You can recover highlights and adjust specific colors with incredible precision.

2. Snapseed (Free)

Many people ask: “Can Snapseed edit RAW files?” Yes, it can. When you open a DNG file in Snapseed, the “Develop” tool opens automatically. It’s the best free way to handle RAW files on the go.

3. Darkroom (iOS)

For iPhone users, Darkroom offers a very aesthetic, user-friendly way to manage and edit RAW files. It integrates directly with your iCloud library, making the workflow very fast.

Pro tips for mobile RAW photography

1. Watch your storage: A RAW file can be 5 to 10 times larger than a JPEG. If you’re shooting a whole day in RAW, make sure you have the space!
2. Use a tripod for low light: Since RAW files don’t use the same “multi-frame noise reduction” as JPEGs, they can be noisier. Keeping your ISO low with a small tripod will result in much cleaner files.
3. Don’t over-edit: With so much data, it’s easy to go overboard. Keep it natural. Use that extra data to make the photo look how your eyes actually saw the scene.

Which one do you use?

Whether you’re an Android user utilizing Pro mode or an iPhone shooter using Halide, shooting RAW will change the way you look at your mobile photos. It turns your phone from a “snapshot” device into a legitimate tool for creative expression.

Let me know in the comments below: Do you shoot RAW on your phone, or do you prefer the convenience of JPEGs?