How to Photograph the Northern Lights on Android Phones

How to Photograph the Northern Lights on Android Phones

January 27, 2026 Rachel Kim – Technology Editor Technology

Capturing the Northern Lights with Your Phone: A Guide

Here’s how to capture stunning photos of the Northern Lights using your smartphone, particularly a Google Pixel:

Using Google Pixel’s Night Sight & Astrophotography:

  1. Switch to Night Sight: Open your camera app and select the “Night Sight” mode from the bottom bar.
  2. Initial Capture: If the Northern Lights are already visible to the naked eye, Night Sight alone might potentially be sufficient.
  3. Astrophotography for Detail: For more detailed images and time-lapses, use Astrophotography.
  4. Stable Setup: Place your phone on a tripod or a very steady surface.
  5. Star Icon: After a few seconds of stillness, a star icon will appear on the shutter button.
  6. Capture: Gently tap the star icon to begin the process, which can take up to 4 minutes.
  7. Processing & Results: Your phone will process the image, producing both a still photo and a time-lapse – perfect for capturing the dynamic Northern Lights.

Other Android Phones:

* While dedicated astrophotography modes are rare on other Android devices, standard night modes can still produce good results.
* Moast phones, like Samsung galaxy devices, will automatically activate night mode in dark conditions.
* General Rule: If you can see the Northern Lights with your eyes, your phone’s standard night mode should be able to capture them.

Image Example: The article includes an image demonstrating the Night Sight mode on a Google Pixel.

Example Photos: The author captured photos from North Carolina during the May 10, 2024 aurora borealis storm.