Getting a passport photo that meets all the requirements set by governments across the world can be tricky. The right size, pose, expression and background are crucial for approval. Rather than risk rejection and have to retake photos, using a dedicated passport photo app on your iPhone is the easiest way to get it right the first time.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about passport apps, from why they‘re useful to specific features that make editing and printing simple. You‘ll also find reviews of the 10 best iPhone apps for passport and visa photos.
Why Use a Passport Photo App?
Here are the biggest benefits of using a mobile app rather than taking passport photos yourself:
Convenience – Taking, editing and printing passport photos is quick and easy all from your iPhone. No need to go anywhere or use a computer.
Cost savings – DIY passport photos are way cheaper than using a professional photographer or photo booth. Most apps are free or just a couple dollars.
Easy editing – With built-in tools, you can crop, adjust brightness/contrast, add backgrounds and more to meet requirements.
Guidelines – Apps provide poses, sizes and layouts for passport photos from various countries to ensure approval.
Retakes – Don‘t like your photo? Easily delete and retake as many times as needed to get the perfect shot.
Mobile printing – Print wirelessly from your phone or save photos to print later.
Key Features of Passport Photo Apps
When selecting a passport photo app for your iPhone, there are a few key features to look for:
In-app camera – The ability to take photos directly in the app, not just upload existing images from your Camera Roll.
Editing tools – Features like crop, filters, brightness, contrast and more to perfect your image.
Background editor – Change or remove backgrounds to standard white required by most countries.
Country templates – Poses, sizes and layouts for passport photos from various countries.
Photo storage – Save your finished passport photos directly to your Camera Roll.
Print options – Print wirelessly to compatible printers or save image files to print elsewhere.
Guidelines – Tips for optimal poses, expressions, attire and lighting to ensure photo approval.
Batch editing – Adjust multiple passport photos at once rather than editing individually.
The 10 Best Passport Photo Apps for iPhone
After comparing dozens of options, these 10 iPhone apps stand out for getting perfect passport and visa photos:
1. Passport Photo Creator
Passport Photo Creator is the best overall choice with all key features like custom backgrounds, batch editing, auto-cropping and support for photos from over 190 countries.
Key Features
- Live camera with gridlines
- Background editor
- Facial recognition guides ideal head position
- Batch photo processing
- Over 190 country templates
- Print photos as JPEG or PNG
Cost: Free, with $2.99 Pro upgrade
2. Easy Passport Photo
As the name suggests, Easy Passport Photo makes quick work of editing photos to size and style requirements for 100+ countries.
Key Features
- Customizable background colors
- Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation
- Hundreds of country-specific sizes/templates
- Save photos to Camera Roll
- Simple printing
Cost: $1.99
3. Passport Photo Studio
Offering real-time guidelines while you‘re taking passport photos, Passport Photo Studio prevents mistakes and redo‘s.
Key Features
- On-screen positioning helper
- Crop and adjust brightness
- Over 200 ID templates
- Photo creativity tools
- Print through AirPrint
Cost: $1.99
4. Passport Photo app
Trusted by immigration attorneys, Passport Photo app has pro-level editing tools and support for photos from 197 world countries.
Key Features
- Detailed editing functions
- Background removal
- Hundreds of sizes and templates
- Facial feature position guide
- Save in PNG, JPG or PDF
- Print photos at home
Cost: $3.99
5. Visa and Passport Photo
Optimized for various iPhone models, Visa and Passport Photo helps you take perfect headshots that align with requirements.
Key Features
- Adjust head position with on-screen helpers
- Crop tools and color filters
- Over 200 country templates
- Save photos to Camera Roll
- Add QR code to prints
Cost: $2.99
6. Passport Photo Editor
As straightforward as possible for new users, Passport Photo Editor has an intuitive interface with all necessary editing features.
Key Features
- Guide to aligning head and shoulders
- Auto-crop photos to size
- Over 100 country templates
- Tools for lighting, color and orientation
- Print through AirPrint
Cost: $1.99
7. Visa Photo
For those needing visa photos rather than passport shots, Visa Photo offers specialized editing options.
Key Features
- Templates for visas from 100+ countries
- Tips for optimal lighting and expressions
- Photo editing tools like crop and filters
- Background color or removal
- Save pictures to Camera Roll
Cost: $1.99
8. ID Photos Pro
Take crisp photos within the app and utilize batch editing to develop consistent passport, visa or ID pictures with ID Photos Pro.
Key Features
- In-app camera
- Batch upload and edit
- Country-specific sizing/templates
- Auto background removal
- Facial position guide
Cost: $3.99
9. Passport Photos+
Those needing passport photos from multiple people will benefit from specialized tools of Passport Photos+ to save time.
Key Features
- Take pics of groups and batches
- Edit multiple shots simultaneously
- Over 150 country templates
- Print through AirPrint
- Photo storage and management
Cost: $1.99
10. Passport Photo Studio
If you want maximum control over editing with pro tools, Passport Photo Studio is made for power users.
Key Features
- Advanced editing capabilities
- Layer Support
- Hundreds of sizes/layouts
- Green screen background
- Metadata editing
Cost: $4.99
How to Take the Perfect Passport Photo
Using a dedicated app goes a long way in getting an approved passport photo, but mastering the optimal pose and expression is still important. Follow these best practices:
- Use a simple white background
- Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression
- Keep shoulders square to the camera
- Shoot from chest up with plenty of headroom
- Wear non-distracting, conservative clothing
- Take off hats, headphones or glasses if possible
- Ensure full face is visible, no hair across eyes
- Use bright, even lighting from the front
After you‘ve taken passport photos following these guidelines, the apps above make it easy to perform final edits like cropping, color correction and background changes to submit print-ready files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I take passport photos with my iPhone?
Yes, by using one of the passport photo apps covered here along guidelines for optimal posing and lighting. Apps make editing to government requirements easy.
Q: Are passport photos taken on iPhone valid for approval?
As long as the photos meet all size, background, pose and other guidelines, passport photos shot on the newest iPhones can look extremely clear and professional, making approval likely.
Q: Do I really need an app or can I just take passport photos myself?
You can attempt taking them yourself but getting the perfect size, crop, centering of face and acceptable background that will pass review processes in every country is extremely difficult without utilizing templates and editing tools found in passport photo apps.
Q: What makes a mobile app better than taking photos at a booth or photographer?
Passport photo apps provide more convenience, allow you to retake bad photos without added costs, guide you to optimal facial positioning, and have editing capabilities to auto-crop, enhance image quality and add approved backgrounds needed for governmental approval around the world.
