iPhone is the most commonly used camera for myhairline.ai, with 68% of users on iOS devices. The iPhone 15 Pro's RAW format with manual exposure lock produces density readings 12% more accurate than auto JPEG, making camera settings one of the most impactful variables in tracking quality.
Why iPhone Auto Mode Falls Short
Apple's computational photography pipeline processes every photo through noise reduction, Smart HDR, and Deep Fusion algorithms. These features produce visually pleasing images for social media, but they alter the fine texture detail that the density algorithm relies on.
Smart HDR blends multiple exposures, which can smooth out the contrast between individual hair strands and exposed scalp. Deep Fusion merges data from multiple frames to reduce noise, but in the process it softens the crisp edges of hair follicles. For hair tracking, you need maximum sharpness and minimal processing.
Settings by iPhone Model
iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max (Recommended)
The iPhone 15 Pro series offers the most control for clinical photography. ProRAW capture preserves all sensor data before Apple's processing pipeline alters it.
Step-by-Step Setup:
- Open Settings > Camera > Formats and enable Apple ProRAW
- Set ProRAW resolution to 12MP (not 48MP, which creates unnecessarily large files)
- Open the Camera app and tap RAW in the top-right corner to activate it
- Switch to the 1x main camera for most scalp shots
- Tap and hold on the scalp area to lock both exposure and focus (AE/AF Lock appears)
- Disable Live Photo (tap the concentric circles icon until it shows a slash)
- Take the photo while holding the phone steady
When to Use the 5x Telephoto:
For close-up shots of specific thinning zones, the 5x optical telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max (or 3x on the standard 15 Pro) lets you shoot from 12 to 18 inches away while filling the frame with the target area. This reduces shadow interference from the phone itself.
iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro supports ProRAW at 48MP and 12MP. Follow the same steps as the iPhone 15 Pro, but use the 3x telephoto for close-ups instead of 5x.
Key difference: the iPhone 14 Pro's Photonic Engine applies more aggressive processing in low light. Always shoot with adequate lighting to prevent the system from over-processing your photos.
iPhone 13, 14, and SE (Non-Pro Models)
Non-Pro iPhones lack ProRAW and telephoto lenses but still produce usable tracking photos with the right settings.
Step-by-Step Setup:
- Open the Camera app in Photo mode (not Portrait, Cinematic, or Pano)
- Tap and hold on the scalp to activate AE/AF Lock
- Disable Live Photo
- In Settings > Camera, turn off Smart HDR or Photographic Styles that alter tone
- Shoot with the 1x main camera only
- Hold the phone 8 to 10 inches from the scalp
Settings Comparison Table
| Setting | Pro Models (Recommended) | Non-Pro Models |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ProRAW 12MP | HEIF/JPEG Standard |
| Lens | 1x main or 3x/5x telephoto | 1x main only |
| HDR | Off (or minimal) | Off in Settings |
| Live Photo | Off | Off |
| Portrait Mode | Never use | Never use |
| Exposure Lock | Tap and hold | Tap and hold |
| Night Mode | Off | Off |
The Exposure Lock Technique
Exposure lock is the single most important iPhone setting for consistent tracking photos. Without it, the camera adjusts brightness frame by frame based on what it sees, producing different exposures of the same scalp area across sessions.
How to use it:
- Frame the shot with the scalp area centered
- Tap the scalp area and hold for 2 seconds until "AE/AF LOCK" appears in a yellow banner
- The exposure and focus are now fixed
- Take the photo without touching the screen again (use the volume button as a shutter)
This ensures that your January photo and your June photo of the same scalp zone have identical exposure settings, making density comparisons valid.
Lighting Protocol for iPhone
Best Option: Indirect Natural Light
Position yourself near a window with indirect sunlight (not direct sun, which creates harsh shadows). Face the window so light falls evenly across the top of the head. Take top-down photos from directly above.
Second Option: Ring Light
A ring light positioned directly above the shooting area provides consistent, shadow-free illumination. Set it to 5000K to 5500K color temperature to match daylight. This is the most repeatable lighting setup because it does not change with weather or time of day.
Lighting to Avoid
| Lighting Type | Problem |
|---|---|
| Overhead fluorescents | Uneven coverage, greenish color cast |
| Direct sunlight | Harsh shadows that obscure scalp detail |
| Bathroom vanity lights | Side-lighting creates one-sided shadows |
| Flash | Washes out fine hair detail at close range |
Photo Protocol for Every Session
Follow the same steps every time to ensure your tracking data is consistent. For a complete guide, see consistent hair loss progress photos.
- Dry hair, no products (gel, spray, fibers, or dry shampoo)
- Same location, same lighting setup
- Same shooting distance (mark it with tape on the floor)
- AE/AF Lock engaged before every shot
- Take three photos of each zone and upload the sharpest one
- Zones: frontal hairline, mid-scalp, vertex (crown), left temporal, right temporal
Checking Photo Quality Before Upload
Before uploading to myhairline.ai, zoom in to 100% on each photo. You should be able to see individual hair strands clearly. If the strands look soft or blended together, the photo was over-processed or out of focus. Retake it with AE/AF Lock and verify your lighting.
For additional camera optimization across all devices, see the full hair tracking camera settings guide.
Common iPhone Mistakes
Using Portrait mode: Portrait mode applies a depth-of-field blur around edges, softening hair detail. Always use standard Photo mode.
Leaving Night mode on auto: In dim rooms, Night mode activates automatically and applies heavy noise reduction. Ensure adequate lighting so Night mode does not trigger.
Shooting at 48MP ProRAW: The 48MP mode uses pixel binning differently and does not provide better density data than 12MP. It just creates larger files that take longer to process.
Moving before the shutter fires: iPhones use a brief computational processing window after you press the shutter. Hold still for a full second after pressing to avoid motion blur.
Start tracking your hair density with clinical-quality iPhone photos at myhairline.ai/analyze. The right settings take 30 seconds to configure and produce measurably better density readings for every scan.
Medical disclaimer: AI hair density tracking is not a substitute for professional dermatological evaluation. Consult a qualified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.