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In modern times, some photographers love the look of grainy photos as they give off a vintage-like look. Others, however, would prefer not to have the pixelated images saved to their phones and computers. These grainy photos can show up no matter the type of device you use to take the pictures.

Do not worry, as it is easy to prevent and fix any grainy photos. There are several editing solutions available to you. Some are right on your mobile device. Learn how to fix grainy photos on iPhone devices, Android smartphones, and computers by reading the information below.

Fix Grainy Photos on Your iPhone

First, as the title implies, you need to learn how to fix grainy photos on iPhone devices. There are several built-in apps and features that can help you through this process.

Turn Off Auto-Focus

To learn how to fix grainy photos without Photoshop or some other app on your iPhone, you can turn off autofocus. Learn how by using the steps below.

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Get your subject on the viewfinder.

open the camera of your iphone how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

3. Tap on your subject and wait for the yellow focus box to appear.
4. Hold and press on the subject inside of the yellow box until the words “AE-AF Lock” appear.

Turn on and off Auto-Focus how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

Performing these steps will ensure that the subjects in your photos are crisp and sharply in focus. If your exposure is still too low, you will likely still see some graininess.

Adjust Exposure

As mentioned, you can also adjust the exposure to learn how to fix grainy photos on iPhone cameras. Learn more by using the steps below.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Ensure that your subject is in the viewfinder.

open the camera of your iphone and adjust exposure how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

3. Tap on your subject to turn on the yellow focus box.
4. Look for the sun icon next to the focus box.
5. Swipe up on the sun icon to make the photo brighter.
6. Swipe down on the icon to make the photo darker.

Adjust Exposure by sliding down and up the brightness of the picture how to fix grainy photos on Android

The steps above are extremely basic ways to adjust the exposure of your photos in the Camera app. Use the steps below for a more precise edit.

1. Open the Camera app and get your subject in the viewfinder.
2. Press the upward-facing arrow in the top middle of the screen.

open the camera app and click on the small white arrow located at the top of the screen

3. On the bottom of the screen, tap the icon with a plus and minus sign.
4. Swipe to the left to make your photo brighter.
5. Swipe to the right to make your photo darker.

Adjust Exposure how to fix grainy photos on Android

Again, to save your exposure and focus adjustments, you can press and hold on to the subject until the words “AE/AF Lock” appear. You can undo the changes by tapping on another location.

Change Your Camera Settings

Sometimes, a combination of a high ISO and a low-lit setting can lead to poor-quality images. You can learn how to fix grainy photos on iPhone devices via your camera settings using the steps below.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll to the “Camera” option.
  3. Turn off the toggle switch next to “Auto HDR.”

You also need to change the file format your camera uses to capture images on your iPhone. Use the steps below to complete this change.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Click on the “Camera” option.
  3. Press “Formats.”
  4. Choose “Most Compatible” instead of “High Efficiency.”

Finally, you need to ensure that you keep the original photo that you took, no matter where you transfer it. Using the steps below will ensure you never lose the quality of your image.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on the “Photos” option.
  3. In the “Transfer to Mac or PC” section, select the “Keep Originals” option.
Tip #1

Adjusting your indoor lighting may be just the trick you need to avoid grainy photos. Make sure your subject has natural light from a window towards them. Try to turn on your overhead lights or a lighting kit if you need a bit more exposure.

Reset your iPhone

Sometimes, grainy photos on your iPhone are the result of a technical glitch. Many individuals reset their devices using the steps below to fix the issue.

  1. Press and release the volume up button.
  2. Press and release the volume down button.
  3. Hold down the side button until the “slide to power off” option appears.
  4. Turn off your iPhone.
  5. Wait a few seconds, and restart your iPhone by holding down the side button again.

After resetting your iPhone, test out your camera to see if your photos look crisper. If not, you may need to try one of the other listed options.

Make Edits in the Photos App

If you want to learn how to fix grainy photos app, start with the Photos option on your iPhone. You can use the sharpness and definition tool to make your images crisper.

1. Open a grainy image in the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on “Edit.”

go to your photos app and click the edit button free photo noise reduction app

3. Scroll to the right until you get to the sharpness tool. It resembles a filled-in triangle.
4. Drag the slider to the right to increase sharpness.
5. Click on the Definition option next. It resembles a triangle with a line through the middle of it.
6. Drag the slider to the right to increase the clarity of your images.

edit the sharpness and definition how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

Fix Grainy Photos on Android Devices

You can also learn how to fix grainy photos on Android devices. There are not as many options available on Androids, but you can learn more about some of the built-in features in the information below.

Restart your Android

As mentioned with the iPhone, sometimes there is a glitch that causes your Android photos to be grainy. You will need to restart your device using the steps below.

  1. Hold down the power button.
  2. Wait for the options menu to appear.
  3. Press restart.
  4. Wait for your Android to turn back on.

When using this method, again, test out your camera. You want to see if your images are less grainy. If not, you need to move to another solution.

Restart Your Android Using Safe Mode

Restarting your Android in safe mode will stop any third-party applications from working. It will force them to reopen too, which is useful if you use a third-party camera. Use the steps below to learn how to reboot your Android in safe mode.

  1. Hold down the power button.
  2. Wait for the options menu and press and hold “Power Off.”
  3. Wait for a popup box to appear.
  4. Press “Reboot in Safe Mode.”
  5. Tap “Ok.”

Make Edits in the Google Photos App

Google Photos can be a free photo noise reduction app that comes pre-installed on most Android phones. You can use the sharpen and de-noise features to begin.

Sharpen Photos

To sharpen your photos in Google Photos, use the steps below.

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Tap on the grainy photo you need to edit.

go to your photos app on your android and click the edit button

3. Press “Edit” on the bottom of the screen.
4. Swipe left and press “Adjust.”
5. Scroll left and choose “Sharpen.”
6. Increase Sharpness by dragging the slider to the right.

click on adjust and sharpen how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

De-Noise Photos

To sharpen your photos in Google Photos, use the steps below.

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Press on the photo you need to edit.

go to your photos app on your android and click the edit button

3. Tap “Edit” on the bottom of the screen.
4. Scroll to the left and choose “Adjust.”
5. Scroll to the right and choose “De-noise.”
6. Move the slider to the right to reduce the noise in your image.

click on adjust and denoise how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

Put Your Camera in Focus

Finally, to learn how to fix grainy photos on Android devices, you can pull the camera back into focus. Learn how below.

  1. Open the Camera app and put your subject in the viewfinder.
  2. Firmly tap on the viewfinder.
  3. If the above step does not work, shake your phone.
  4. Wait for the camera to snap back into focus.
Tip #2

Though this article is primarily about iPhones, grainy photos can happen with a camera too. Make sure that your exposure is at a high enough level for the weather and time of your photoshoot. Make sure that you do not have your device on autofocus either.

Reduce Grainy Photos on a Mac

You can learn how to fix grainy photos on iPhone devices through the use of your Mac. Transfer the images to your computer using AirDrop, and use the steps below once on your Mac.

1. Drag the image you sent to your computer to the Photos app.
2. Double-click on the photo.
3. Press “Edit” in the toolbar.
4. Click “Adjust.”

airdrop your photo to your computer how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

5. Press the arrow next to the words “Noise Reduction.”
6. Drag the slider to the right to reduce the graininess of your photo.

on the photos app click on noise reduction to fix grainy pictures

Apps for Reducing Graininess

You can learn how to fix grainy photos app via paid and free options. A few of the best are in the information below.

Photoshop

Photoshop is not a free photo noise reduction app. It does cost money unless you are a student. This powerful tool can reduce graininess on your iPhone or computer, however, as seen below.

  1. Open Photoshop and import the image you need to fix.
  2. Zoom in on the image by 100%.
  3. Press “Filter,” then “Noise.”
  4. Click “Reduce Noise.”
  5. Move the sliders until you have a clearer photo.
  6. Press “Filter” again.
  7. Click “Sharpen.”
  8. Press “Shake Reduction” to remove any noise called by hand motions.

Noise Reducer Pro

Noise Producer Pro is an easy way to learn how to fix grainy photos on iPhone devices. It is available on the Apple app store for 99 cents.

Noise Reducer Pro how to fix grainy photos app

To learn how to fix grainy photos without Photoshop on this app, you can access the three noise level filters that are available. Move the slider on each to get a less grainy image.

Most users report that this software is best for any image taken in low light. It will smooth out photos with a high ISO setting attached to them.

EnhanceFox Photo Enhancer

EnhanceFox Photo Enhancer is another tool that will reduce noise. It is free for download, but you can purchase specific features within the app.

EnhanceFox Photo Enhancer free photo noise reduction app

This tool utilizes artificial intelligence that automatically detects any noise that exists. It will pull that blurriness and graininess out of your image with just the click of a button.

If you want quick results, EnhanceFox Photo Enhancer is likely the best tool for you to use. It may not always be the most accurate, but it is sure to give you the basic edit that you need for social media.

Tip #3

Some individuals find that the graininess in their photos comes from hand motion. Avoid this by setting your iPhone or camera on a tripod. When taking a video, use a device like a gimbal that will keep your devices steady even when you need to move.

Websites for Reducing Noise

If you want to learn how to remove noise from a photo online, there are several tools available to you. Consider the couple below to get started.

Phixr

Phixr is a tool that is specifically for removing noise from your photos. You can choose between strong, weak, or fast edits.

To start, you will upload your image from your computer or mobile device. After, click on the “Remove Noise/Add Film Grain” option. Monitor the preview to ensure that you achieve the changes you need for your images.

Vance AI

Vance AI lets you remove noise from multiple photos at the same time. You can learn how to fix grainy photos online free with this tool as all you have to do is upload your images.

vanceai tool how to fix grainy photos on iPhone

When using this tool, artificial intelligence will detect the parts of your images that you need to edit. All you have to do is press the “Start to Process” button.

Once the process completes when you use this tool to fix grainy photos online free, you will need to look at the preview. Save the image if you are happy with the results, otherwise, make extra changes.

Tip #4

The graininess on your smartphone photos may come from something as simple as a dirty lens. If you see grime, wipe it down with a microfiber cloth of some form. If you see some dust on the interior of the lens, however, you may want to take your phone in for a cleaning.

Remove Grain from Your Photos

Sometimes, when you take photos, you have to deal with graininess after. Unless you want the effect for your edits, you will need to remove the blurriness from your images. Use the tools mentioned above to learn how to fix grainy photos on iPhone devices through your camera settings or Photos edits.

You can also use your computer, Android, or other smart devices to reduce graininess. Finally, there are several third-party apps like websites where you can learn how to remove noise from a photo online. The possibilities are truly endless.

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