Set up the background
Use the background required by your document.
Use even natural light
Face a large window or use soft light from both sides.
Keep some distance
Move the phone back to reduce perspective distortion.
Use the original photo
Avoid portrait effects, beauty filters and automatic background replacement for official identity photos.
Keep the original file
iPhone photos may be saved as HEIC. Safari 17 and later can open HEIC directly in this tool. Chrome, Edge and Firefox do not reliably decode HEIC, so export or share a JPEG copy first when using those browsers.
Crop after shooting
Upload the original and export a 600 x 600 JPEG or a 4 x 6 print sheet. The exported JPEG includes 300 PPI metadata.
iPhone capture checklist
| Step | Recommended approach | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Use the rear camera when practical. | It generally gives you more usable source detail for cropping. |
| Mode | Use normal Photo mode for identity-photo work. | Portrait effects can blur or alter edges around hair and shoulders. |
| Distance | Leave enough distance from the camera to avoid an extreme close-up. | This reduces perspective distortion and leaves room to crop. |
| Lighting | Use soft, even light and check the face for harsh shadows. | The photo should preserve clear facial detail. |
| File | Keep the original HEIC/HEIF or JPEG before editing. | You can make a fresh crop without compounding previous edits. |
Use the receiving authority as the final source
Document-photo rules can change. Use this site to prepare dimensions and catch common image problems, then verify the latest requirements on the official website for the document you are submitting.