Setting up your phone
Best Phone Camera Settings for House Photos
A few quick settings make a big visible difference before you take a single picture. This page covers the ones that matter most and where to find them on iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy phones. Your screens may look a little different depending on your phone model.
1. Turn on HDR
HDR is the most important setting. A room with a bright window and a shaded interior is the hardest lighting situation in house photos, and it shows up in nearly every room. HDR blends several exposures into one balanced image so the window is not blown out white and the room is not dark and muddy.
- iPhone 13 and newer: HDR turns on automatically when it helps. There is nothing to manage beyond keeping iOS updated.
- Newer Android phones: HDR is applied automatically, without a manual toggle.
- iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone SE (2nd generation): open Settings, tap Camera, and leave Smart HDR on.
- Samsung Galaxy: switch on Auto HDR in the Camera settings if you see it, and leave Scene optimizer on.
- Google Pixel: HDR+ is automatic. A manual control exists only on the Pixel 3a and earlier.
2. Choose RAW or JPEG
If you plan to have your photos edited, shoot in RAW. A RAW file keeps all the detail your camera captures, so an editor can brighten dark corners and recover bright windows. RAW files are much larger, so check your storage. If you do not plan to have your photos edited, or your phone does not offer RAW, shoot in JPEG.
- iPhone 12 Pro and later: go to Settings, Camera, Formats, and turn on Apple ProRAW and Resolution Control. In the Camera app, tap RAW at the top of the screen. For JPEG, choose Most Compatible under Formats.
- Google Pixel: in the Camera app, tap Settings, then More settings, then Advanced, and turn on RAW/JPEG control (not needed on Pixel 8 Pro). Then turn on RAW + JPEG to get both files.
- Samsung Galaxy: in the Camera app, tap More and choose Expert RAW. If it is not there, it is a free download from Galaxy Store. It saves a JPEG and a RAW file of every photo on Galaxy S20 and newer.
3. You do not need the highest resolution
On iPhone, 24 MP, or 12 MP when shooting RAW, is plenty. On Android phones that offer a resolution choice, the lowest setting is fine. Higher settings only make files larger.
4. Turn on grid lines
The grid is a tic tac toe pattern on your screen. Line up walls and door frames with the vertical lines, and floors and rooflines with the horizontal lines, so everything stays straight.
- iPhone: Settings, Camera, then turn on Grid and Level if you see Level.
- Google Pixel: in the Camera app, tap Settings, then More settings, then Grid type, and pick a grid.
- Samsung Galaxy: in the Camera settings, turn on Grid lines, which is called Composition guide on newer models.
- Other Android phones: open the Camera settings and turn on Grid lines.
5. Leave the flash off
The flash flattens a room and creates harsh shadows. Use natural light and turn on every lamp and light in the room instead, even during the day.
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6. Clean the lens
Wipe the front and rear camera lenses with a soft cloth before you start. It is the single most overlooked step, and it instantly improves clarity.
7. Hold the phone at the right height
Hold your phone just above waist height for most interior shots, which is close to how a person sees a room when walking in. In kitchens and bathrooms, raise it to about 12 inches above the counter so the counter does not block the view. A budget tripod or phone mount helps you keep every shot level and at the same height. A small clip on wide angle lens is optional.
Quick check before your first photo
- Phone charged above 20 percent, with storage free for a full afternoon of photos.
- HDR confirmed on.
- Grid lines turned on.
- Photo format chosen: RAW if you plan to have your photos edited, JPEG if not.
- Both camera lenses wiped clean.
- Tripod or mount within reach for every room.
Next, read how to take pictures of a house and use the shot list to plan your path.
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Questions and answers
What is the best camera setting for house photos on a phone?
HDR is the most important. It balances bright windows and darker rooms in the same photo. Most recent phones turn it on automatically.
Should I shoot house photos in RAW or JPEG?
Shoot RAW if you plan to have your photos edited, because it keeps more detail in dark corners and bright windows. Shoot JPEG if you will not edit them or your phone does not offer RAW.
Do I need the highest resolution setting?
No. On iPhone, 24 MP, or 12 MP in RAW, is plenty. On Android phones that offer a choice, the lowest setting is fine.
Should I use the flash for house photos?
Generally no. It flattens the room and creates harsh shadows.
How do I turn on grid lines?
On iPhone, go to Settings, Camera, and turn on Grid. On Pixel, open Camera Settings, More settings, then Grid type. On Samsung, turn on Grid lines or Composition guide in the Camera settings.