How to Take Pictures of the Northern Lights with Google Pixel and Other Android Phones

How to Take Pictures of the Northern Lights with Google Pixel and Other Android Phones

Capturing the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is a dream for many travelers and photography enthusiasts. These swirling green and pink lights dancing across the night sky are among nature’s most stunning phenomena. Luckily, you don’t need a high-end DSLR to photograph them. Modern Android phones—especially Google Pixel devices—are powerful enough to snap impressive shots of the aurora with a few tweaks and tips.

Whether you're using a Google Pixel or another Android phone from brands like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, or Motorola, this guide will help you take stunning photos of the Northern Lights.

Understanding the Northern Lights

Before diving into photography, it’s important to know a bit about the Northern Lights. They occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, creating colorful lights that are usually visible near the magnetic poles.

They appear most vividly in areas with low light pollution and are more frequent during the winter months in countries such as Norway, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Canada, and Alaska.

Can You Photograph the Northern Lights with a Phone?

Yes, you can. Thanks to advancements in smartphone cameras, Android phones now feature powerful sensors, image processing software, and night photography modes that can handle low-light conditions very well.

However, you’ll need to use manual settings and possibly a tripod to get the best results.

Basic Gear You’ll Need

While your phone is the main tool, a few accessories can drastically improve your photos:

Tripod: Essential to keep your phone still during long exposures. Any small, portable tripod with a phone mount will work.
Remote shutter or timer: To avoid shaking the phone when you press the shutter button.
Camera app with manual controls: While Google Pixel’s built-in app is excellent, other Android phones may benefit from apps like ProCam X, Manual Camera, or Adobe Lightroom Mobile.

Step-by-Step Guide for Google Pixel Users

Google Pixel phones (especially Pixel 4 and later) come with a powerful Night Sight mode that can automatically take long-exposure shots in low-light conditions.

1. Enable Night Sight

Open the Camera app.
Swipe to “Night Sight.”
Hold your phone steady or mount it on a tripod.
Tap the shutter button and wait for the exposure to complete (this can take several seconds).

Tip: If the phone detects a very dark environment, it might automatically switch to “Astrophotography Mode,” which takes even longer exposures and captures more detail.

2. Use Astrophotography Mode

Set the phone on a tripod.
Open the Camera and switch to Night Sight.
Point the camera at the sky and keep it steady. After a second or two, the phone will switch to Astrophotography Mode automatically.
Tap the shutter and hold still. The phone will take a 1–4-minute exposure depending on the lighting.

3. Adjust Exposure

You can tap on different parts of the screen to adjust focus and exposure manually. Swipe up on the screen to access sliders for shadows and white balance, which can help you fine-tune the look.

For Other Android Phones

Not all Android phones have a dedicated Night or Astrophotography mode, but most support Pro Mode or Manual Mode. This allows you to adjust key settings for night photography:

Key Camera Settings for Northern Lights

ISO: Set between 800 and 3200. Higher ISO makes the camera more sensitive to light, but too high can create noise.
Shutter Speed: Use long exposure, typically between 5 to 30 seconds. The longer the shutter stays open, the more light the sensor can absorb.
Focus: Set to manual focus and adjust it to infinity (∞) for sharp stars and auroras.
White Balance: Start with a setting around 4000K to bring out the green tones of the aurora.
Resolution: Always shoot in the highest possible resolution.

Using Camera Apps with Manual Controls

If your phone's default camera app doesn’t support Pro Mode, try these apps:

ProCam X (Android): Offers full manual control.
Adobe Lightroom Mobile: Includes a Pro mode with shutter speed and ISO adjustment.
Camera FV-5: Designed specifically for DSLR-like manual controls.

Best Practices for Photographing the Aurora

1. Find a Dark Location

Avoid city lights. The darker your surroundings, the better your phone can capture the Northern Lights.

2. Check the Weather and Aurora Forecast

Use apps like My Aurora Forecast, Aurora Alerts, or SpaceWeatherLive to know the best time and place for viewing.

3. Dress Warmly

You may be outside for a while, so bring proper winter clothing and hand warmers—especially if you're using a touchscreen.

4. Take Multiple Shots

Since auroras can change rapidly, take several photos with varying settings. You might be surprised which ones turn out best.

5. Shoot in RAW (if possible)

RAW files contain more image data, making them easier to edit later. Many Android camera apps support RAW shooting in Pro Mode.

Editing Your Aurora Photos

Even great aurora photos can benefit from light post-processing. You can use editing apps like:

Snapseed: Free and intuitive.
Adobe Lightroom Mobile: Great for adjusting exposure, contrast, clarity, and colors.
Google Photos: Basic edits and filters.

Adjust brightness, reduce noise, and enhance green or pink tones to make your image stand out.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Blurry Photos: Likely due to camera shake. Use a tripod and timer.
Too Dark: Increase ISO or lengthen exposure time.
Grainy Images: Reduce ISO or use noise reduction during editing.
No Aurora Visible: Sometimes the lights are too faint. Try increasing ISO and exposure time, or wait for stronger activity.

Final Thoughts

The Northern Lights are awe-inspiring, and thanks to modern smartphone technology, capturing them is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re using a Google Pixel or another Android phone, understanding your camera settings and being prepared can lead to stunning photos you’ll treasure forever.

Don’t worry if your first few shots aren’t perfect. Like all photography, it takes practice. The key is patience, persistence, and knowing when and how to shoot.

So pack your phone, tripod, and warm jacket—and get ready to shoot the sky!