Adobe’s Project Indigo Turns Your iPhone Into a Pro Camera — And It’s 100% Free

By Mohit Singhania | June 22, 2025

TL;DR:

Adobe just launched Project Indigo, a powerful free camera app for iPhones with full manual controls, RAW shooting, synthetic long exposures, and pro-grade image stacking — no Creative Cloud subscription needed, no signup required. And yes, it’s already making Halide and Filmic Pro sweat.

Adobe Just Dropped a Bomb Called Indigo — What Is It?

You know how iPhones have killer cameras… but the stock app holds you hostage with its “we know best” approach? Adobe saw that, cracked its knuckles, and said:

“Nope. Let creators actually create.”

Project Indigo is Adobe’s all-new, standalone camera app for iPhones — designed for full manual control, pro-level image capture, and the kind of creative power mobile shooters have been begging for. [Source]

And the kicker?

It’s free.
No Creative Cloud account. No login. Just download and go.

Full Manual Controls? Try Pro Mode On Steroids

Adobe didn’t just unlock basic controls — it threw open the entire toolkit. Here’s what Indigo lets you play with:

• Manual Focus
  Control what’s sharp — no more AF errors.
• ISO & Shutter Speed Control
  Shoot light trails, freeze action, or go cinematic.
• White Balance
  Set custom Kelvin temps or use presets like a studio shooter.
• RAW + JPEG/DNG Output
  True RAW capture, even in burst mode.
• Histogram, Zebra Stripes, Focus Peaking
  Real-time monitoring like you’d expect on a DSLR.
• Custom Presets
  Save your favorite manual settings and shoot instantly.

Bonus: It even includes AI tools like reflection removal, synthetic long exposure, and more — all inside a tech-preview playground.

But It’s More Than Just Sliders — The Secret Sauce

What really sets Indigo apart?

Burst-based computational capture.
Indigo takes up to 32 short underexposed shots per photo, combining them for:

• Lower noise
• Better dynamic range
• Richer shadows
• Sharper details
• Long exposure effects without needing a tripod

Think Deep Fusion meets Lightroom, but it’s happening live as you shoot.

And the super-resolution zoom?
It uses your hand’s micro-movements to generate cleaner 2× to 10× zoom shots. Not kidding.

iPhone Compatibility: Who Can Use Indigo?

If you’ve got one of these in your pocket, you’re in luck:

• iPhone 12 Pro / 13 Pro / Pro Max
• All iPhone 14 models (yes, even non-Pro)
• iPhone 15 and 16 series (optimal performance)

Minimum requirement: iOS 17.4 and newer
Best experience: iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max thanks to ProRAW and A17 chip.

And for Android users? Adobe says it’s coming soon, but no timeline yet.

Who Is Indigo Actually For?

This app is not for people just taking brunch selfies. Indigo is for the serious creator class:

• YouTubers & Reels Creators — Shoot cinematic sequences on the go
• Photographers — RAW flexibility in your pocket
• Mobile Journalists — Pro-grade results without bulky gear
• Short Filmmakers — Control your scene like you would on a RED
• Designers — Grab visuals worthy of your Lightroom edits

Whether you’re making reels or real cinema — Indigo adapts to your vibe.

Indigo vs Halide vs Filmic Pro

Let’s compare the heavyweights:

Verdict: Indigo wins for value + innovation. And it’s just getting started.

Masala Moment: The Long Exposure Trick

You know how you need a tripod and patience for long-exposure shots?

With Indigo’s synthetic long exposure, just handhold and shoot. It stacks frames, removes movement, and blends light trails — like magic.

I tried it with car headlights on a highway bridge — and got results that looked straight out of a Sony Alpha camera. No tripod. No noise. Just buttery streaks of light.

Final Take: The Mobile Pro Camera We Were Waiting For

Honestly? This changes the game.

Adobe didn’t just build another camera app — it built a mobile photography lab and made it free. No subscriptions. No watermark scams. No login BS.

And the best part?
It feels Adobe — clean, precise, responsive, and clearly made for creators, not casuals.

If Halide made you feel smart, Indigo makes you feel powerful.

Masala Meter™ — Final Rating

Final Rating: 9.8/10
Indigo doesn’t just compete — it redefines mobile photography.

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Ready to ditch “auto mode” forever? Download Indigo and shoot like a pro.
Tag us in your first masterpiece @TechMasalaBlog and we might feature you!

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