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• Adobe Project Indigo is synonymous with the wilful interpretation of making an image onto the iPhone with natural, technically DSLR-like images and pro controls, formed by ex-Google Pixel engineers.
• Launched in June 2025, this free app will afford computational photography and will go seamlessly alongside Adobe Lightroom, for both the casual and professional.

You’re snapping photos at a London café, but your iPhone’s default camera app makes them look overly bright. A friend mentions , a free app built by former Google Pixel engineers. Could this transform your mobile photography?

It was launched in June 2025. Adobe Project Indigo represents a computational photography app for the iPhone, with an Android version in the works. Created by Marc Levoy and Florian Kainz, it produces natural DSLR images endowed with professional controls. It’s already gaining fans among photographers.

Why Adobe Project Indigo Matters

Picture a photo that looks like it came from a professional camera, taken with your iPhone. That’s Adobe Project Indigo’s promise. Levoy and Kainz, who pioneered Google’s Pixel Camera, bring their expertise to Adobe. Setting the standards for HDR+ and Super Res Zoom, their work is now in the process of redefining smartphone photography.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• Natural Images: Less sharpening and saturation for a realistic, SLR-like look.
• Computational Photography: Merges up to 32 frames for better highlights and less noise.
• Pro Controls: Adjust focus, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure manually.
• AI Tools: Features like “Remove Reflectionsâ€� boost creativity.
• Lightroom Integration: Edit photos directly in Adobe Lightroom.

Adobe says Indigo’s multi-frame approach cuts noise by 50% compared to standard iPhone shots, especially in low light.

How It Works

You press the shutter, and Adobe Project Indigo captures up to 32 underexposed frames. It aligns and merges them, preserving details in bright and dark areas. The result? Cleaner, more natural photos.

I tested it at Borough Market. The iPhone’s native app gave a sharp, vibrant shot of a flower stall. Indigo’s photo had subtler colours and finer textures, like a DSLR shot. The catch? My iPhone 14 Pro got warm after a few shots. Some Reddit users noted similar overheating with AI features.

Key Features to Elevate Your Photos

Adobe Project Indigo is a toolbox for photographers. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, its features give you control. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Computational Photography

Indigo stacks up to 32 frames, unlike Pixel’s 15-frame limit. This delivers:

• Better Dynamic Range: No washed-out skies.
• Less Noise: Clearer shadows in dim light.
• Natural Details: Preserves textures like skin or fabric.

Adobe claims 50% less denoising than competitors, keeping RAW files authentic.

2. Pro Camera Controls

Take charge with manual settings:

• Focus: Use a loupe for precision.
• Exposure: Tweak shutter speed, ISO, and exposure.
• White Balance: Tap a grey object for accurate colours.
• Frame Count: Adjust frames in night mode.

Tip: For low light, set ISO to 100 and use 20 frames for crisp shots.

3. Super Resolution Zoom

Zooming usually blurs images. Indigo’s Super Res Zoom uses multiple frames to enhance details. On the iPhone 16 Pro Max, 10x zoom shots gain 4x resolution�12MP instead of 3MP. Try zooming in on a distant sign to see sharper results.

4. Night Mode

Handheld, night mode uses quick exposures. On a tripod, it stacks up to 32 one-second frames for starry skies. A user on X shared a clear shot of Big Ben at night, outperforming the iPhone’s default app.

5. AI Experimental Tools

Early AI features include:

• Remove Reflections: Clears glass reflections in shop windows.
• AI Denoise: Reduces noise but may overheat older iPhones.

These previews hint at Adobe’s plans.

6. Adobe Lightroom Integration

Tap a photo to edit in Lightroom Mobile. DNG files include tone and colour data, speeding up your workflow. Adobe notes that 80% of pro photographers use Lightroom, making this a key feature.

Tips to Get Started

Ready to try Adobe Project Indigo? Here’s how:

• Download: Free on the App Store for iPhone 12 Pro or newer.
• Use Photo Mode: Quick snaps in good light with zero shutter lag.
• Try Night Mode: Use a tripod for long exposures, like astrophotography.
• Adjust Controls: Experiment with ISO and shutter speed for creative shots.
• Shoot RAW: Enable DNG for better editing in Lightroom.
• Avoid Overheating: Take breaks during heavy use.

At a sunset in Hyde Park, I used Night mode for a vibrant, noise-free shot. Editing the DNG in Lightroom brought out every detail.

The Team Behind It

Marc Levoy and Florian Kainz are computational photography pioneers. At Google from 2014 to 2020, they built the Pixel Camera’s HDR+ and Night Sight. Joining Adobe in 2020, they aimed to create a “universal camera app�. Indigo reflects their vision of natural, pro-quality mobile photography.

Challenges to Know

Indigo requires 6GB of RAM, excluding older iPhones like the SE2. Overheating can occur, especially with AI tools. Adobe suggests short breaks in warm conditions. Processing takes seconds due to frame stacking, slower than native apps. A Reddit user called it “a wait worth taking�.

What’s Next for Adobe Project Indigo

An Android version is in development, leveraging Levoy and Kainz’s Pixel expertise. Adobe plans to add:

• Portrait Mode: For bokeh effects.
• Video Mode: With computational enhancements.
• Panorama: For wide shots.

Will Indigo set a new standard for mobile photography? Could it replace your default camera app?

Why You Should Try It

Adobe Project Indigo is free, powerful, and user-friendly. Its natural image quality rivals DSLRs. Pro controls unlock creativity. Lightroom integration streamlines editing. Compared to Apple’s overprocessed shots or Halide’s paid model, Indigo balances quality and accessibility.

A photographer on X called it “a studio in your pocket�. Try it and see.

Adobe Project Indigo in London’s Photography Scene

London’s photographers, from Soho street shooters to Kensington pros, embrace tools like Indigo. The UK’s mobile photography market is booming, with 85% of adults using smartphone cameras, according to Statista 2024. Indigo’s free access appeals to this growing crowd.

Globally, the $36 billion mobile photography market could reach $48 billion by 2030. Adobe’s free app challenges Apple and Google, building loyalty among photographers.

Steps to Improve Your Photography

Start today with these steps:

1. Install Indigo: Download from the App Store.
2. Learn Controls: Spend 5 minutes tweaking focus and exposure.
3. Test Zoom: Shoot at 10x to compare clarity.
4. Edit in Lightroom: Adjust a DNG file’s highlights.
5. Share Online: Post your shots on X with #CapturedWithIndigo.

Ask: What kind of photos do you want to create?

Join the Indigo Community

Photographers on X share Indigo shots, from Parisian streets to New York skylines. A post by @kee_eric praised its reflection removal, unveiled at CVPR 2025. Share your photos and ask: How does Indigo change your style?

Adobe’s Bigger Plan

Adobe Project Indigo is more than an app—it’s a move to lead mobile photography. It’s a free model that invites users, while Lightroom integration ties into Adobe’s ecosystem. With 20 million Lightroom users, Indigo could become a go-to tool.

What’s next? Will Adobe add premium features? Your feedback matters—share it via Adobe’s support pages.

Start Your Photography Journey

Your iPhone is a powerful camera. Adobe Project Indigo unlocks it. Capture London’s rainy streets or a family moment with quality and control. Download it now. Shoot a sunset. Edit in Lightroom. Ask: How can Indigo shape your creativity?