Issues with ios 26.2.1 and moon pictures

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L1962J Author

Level 1

4 points

Issues with ios 26.2.1 and moon pictures

I upgraded to the iphone 16 pro max last year. I was getting great shots of the moon - especially super moon - but the latest ios update is turning the moon into a glowing blob. I know long exposures are risky but even in the early morning light the moon looks like a blob. Is there an update in the works? I'm not trying to out do an old school style camera but before this latest update, I was happy with my various 'zoom' pictures, including the moon shots.

Jan 22 I was able to get a decent shot of the moon but Jan 28 and 30 - ick. (Top is 01/28, middle 01/22 and bottom 01/30 - although they rotated.) Suggestions

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 2, 2026 12:13 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 2, 2026 12:31 PM in response to L1962J

Your pictures are way over-exposed. The full moon is the same brightness as a normal landscape at noon. Try reducing the exposure.

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Answer 2

léonie

Level 10

200,681 points

Feb 3, 2026 12:53 AM in response to L1962J

I am having the same problem since iOS26. When I tap the moon to take the exposure there and reduce the exposure time as far as possible, the the image will still be overexposed.

Last year I could get pictures of the Moon, handheld, but now it is no longer possible:

A picture from last August 2024, taken with the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Night Mode:

What is still possible is to take a photo of the Moon while the sky is still blue, without Night Mode: This picture has been taken in the early afternoon, using iOS26:

On the other hand, pictures of the starry sky are now better, at least when I switch the image format to RAW:

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Answer 3

Feb 3, 2026 10:17 PM in response to léonie

léonie wrote:

I am having the same problem since iOS26. When I tap the moon to take the exposure there and reduce the exposure time as far as possible, the the image will still be overexposed.

Have you tried if 3rd party Camera apps behave any better?

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Answer 4

léonie

Level 10

200,681 points

Feb 3, 2026 10:56 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

i am not sure, Richard. It is unlikely, that it is a HDR issue, because even the RAW photos I have taken are shown as HDR, when I am checking with Metapho.

For example, the Raw photo of the northern lights I posted above is showing "Gain Map HRD".

My guess is, that the sample area, where the iPhone is sampling the image for the exposure is simply too large, and so the Moon will be overexposed, to brighten the black sky. It would explain, why it is working well in bright daylight, bur not when the sky is pitch black.

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Answer 5

Feb 3, 2026 12:35 PM in response to léonie

léonie wrote: …My guess is, that the sample area, where the iPhone is sampling the image for the exposure is simply too large, and so the Moon will be overexposed, to brighten the black sky.

Right-- it should be smart enough that, when it sees big contrast, it would adjust accordingly.

So how did you do that gorgeous moon and harbor picture? I'm thinking you can't get both of those luminosities in the same exposure. It's quite phenomenal!

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Answer 6

L1962J Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2026 12:48 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

I have done that but deleted most of them. I pulled these from trash for examples. Figured it happened with the latest update. I have spoken with friends who also have the same issue.

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Answer 7

Feb 3, 2026 7:11 AM in response to léonie

léonie wrote: …I am having the same problem since iOS26.

Is this an HDR issue? Or is it that the exposure is determined with overall brightness rather than spot or brightest point?

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Answer 8

L1962J Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2026 9:55 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

I’ve reduced the exposure completely. And when I zoom in on the moon and or reduce the brightness as well, the adjustments drop off as does the focusing. It’s getting frustrating.

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