If you’ve just picked up your new Google phone, you should learn how to use macro mode on the Google Pixel 7 Pro yourself. If you want a glimpse into the bizarre and beautiful world of ultra-close-up photography, this is just what you need.
As part of the Google Pixel 7 Pro’s powerful camera array, you can now use Macro Focus mode to help you capture objects very close to the camera. It’s similar to what other leading smartphones offer, but with Google‘s excellent photography processing, you’ll likely beat anyone trying to shoot the same extreme close-ups.
Below we’ve included a guide on how to use macro focus, as well as some settings you can use if you’re confident or just want to turn the feature off. Let’s have a look!
How to Use Macro Mode on Google Pixel 7 Pro
To use macro mode, all you need to do is launch the default Google Camera app on your Pixel 7 Pro. Macro mode uses the ultra-wide-angle camera on the back of the Pixel 7 Pro (the one in the center of the rear camera bar). Make sure it’s not blocked when shooting, otherwise this won’t work.
Assuming your Pixel 7 Pro is close at hand and you want to take a macro photo, here are the steps you need to follow.
- Launch the Pixel 7 Pro’s Camera app and move the phone towards the subject of the photo. The phone should automatically go into macro mode when it’s close – you can tell if the app displays a circle with a small flower icon above the subject.
- If necessary, tap the screen to move the focus. You may have to wait for the camera to focus properly, so be patient!
You can also tap the circle once to disable macro mode, or tap twice to keep macro focus enabled, so you can compose shots without the phone trying to adjust focus at the same time. - Tap the shutter button to take a photo. You can now view and edit macro photos in the Google Photos app.
Macro photos need good lighting to look their best. Make sure you don’t accidentally cast shadows on your subject, and consider adding extra light if you can. Macro focus does work with Google’s Night Sight low-light mode, though, so if you’re taking photos when it’s dark, you don’t have to worry too much.
How to turn off macro mode on the Google Pixel
If you find the auto macro option gets in the way of trying to take regular shots, you can tap the macro icon to disable it until you quit and reopen the camera app. To permanently disable it, do the following:
- Open the Camera app, swipe towards the shutter button or tap the camera and gear icon in the upper left corner to open the options menu.
- Tap the More Settings button to open the full selection of camera app options
- Scroll down to Auto Macro (about the middle of the menu under Composition) and turn it off.