LogGate
You’ve seen the setting in your iPhone camera app. Maybe you’ve even tried it once, gotten a flat gray image, and switched back to standard video mode. Apple Log — and its successor, Apple Log 2 — confuses a lot of creators at first. This post explains exactly what it is, why it matters, and how to actually use it.
What Is Apple Log?
Apple Log is a logarithmic color profile — a way of recording video that prioritizes preserving dynamic range over producing a ready-to-watch image. Instead of compressing highlights and shadows to fit a standard display, the camera captures them in a way that holds more recoverable detail.
The result looks washed out on screen. That’s intentional. The camera is not adjusting the image for viewing — it’s storing a wider range of light and color data for you to work with in post-production.
Think of it this way: standard video (Rec.709) is like a finished print from a darkroom. Apple Log is the unprocessed negative. The negative looks odd to the eye, but it contains far more information to work with.
Apple Log 2 Explained: What Changed
Apple introduced the original Apple Log with iPhone 15 Pro. With iPhone 17 Pro, they shipped Apple Log 2 — an updated profile with three meaningful improvements: extended color gamut, better highlight rolloff, and improved shadow handling.
For practical purposes: if you have an iPhone 17 Pro, shoot Apple Log 2. If you have a 15 Pro or 16 Pro, you’ll be using the original Apple Log — which is still excellent. LogGate Pro supports both profiles.
Why Log Video Matters for Filmmakers
The difference between Log and standard video shows up most in challenging lighting situations — outdoor scenes with bright skies, indoor scenes near windows, sunset and golden hour, and mixed lighting at events.
The Tradeoff: You Have to Convert It
Log footage doesn’t look right until it’s transformed to a standard color space. You can convert before editing with LogGate Pro to get standard Rec.709 files, or grade natively in DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro. For most creators, converting first is the right call.
Do You Actually Need Apple Log?
Use Apple Log when shooting in challenging lighting, planning to color grade in post, matching footage from multiple cameras, or delivering a polished look to clients. Skip it for quick social clips you’ll upload directly or when lighting is controlled and consistent.
How to Enable Apple Log 2 on iPhone 17 Pro
- Open Settings > Camera > Video Recording
- Enable Apple ProRes
- In the Camera app, switch to Video mode
- Tap the format indicator at the top and look for the Log color profile option
- Select Apple Log 2
The Bottom Line
Apple Log 2 is the most capable color profile ever shipped in a smartphone camera. If you’re serious about iPhone filmmaking, shooting in Apple Log 2 is worth every bit of the workflow overhead. Download LogGate Pro to convert your Apple Log 2 footage in seconds, right on your Mac.
Already shooting Log? Read our complete iPhone Apple Log color grading tutorial for the full post-production workflow.