Best App for Editing Phone Photos Like a Pro

Why Adobe Lightroom Mobile Is a Must-Have for Beginner Photographers

Let’s face it—our phones are always within arm’s reach. Whether you’re out for a coffee, on a walk with your dog, or catching an unexpected sunset, chances are your camera is sitting at home... and your phone is right there in your pocket.

But here’s the good news: You don’t need a DSLR or a laptop to create beautiful, professional-looking images. You can edit like a pro right on your phone—and my absolute favourite app for doing just that is Adobe Lightroom Mobile.

Now, I know “Lightroom” might sound a bit fancy or intimidating, but trust me, once you dive in, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Whether you’re completely new to photo editing or just want to step up your Instagram game, Lightroom Mobile is easy to use, powerful, and packed with features that’ll help your photos shine.

In this post, I’ll walk you through why Lightroom Mobile is the best editing app for phone photographers, from its clever organisation system to the handy editing tools (basic and advanced!), plus a bonus feature I use all the time: the built-in camera.

Why Lightroom Mobile is the Best App for Editing Photos on Your Phone

I’ve tried a bunch of editing apps over the years, but Lightroom Mobile is the one I come back to again and again. It’s intuitive, professional, and surprisingly beginner-friendly. And best of all—it’s free to get started!

Whether you're shooting landscapes, portraits, pets or coffee art, Lightroom helps you transform your snapshots into share-worthy images.

1. Stay Organised Like a Pro (Without the Overwhelm)

You know that endless camera roll situation—400 blurry versions of the same photo and you can’t find the one you actually like? Lightroom helps you sort that mess out fast.

Here’s how Lightroom Mobile helps you stay organised:

🌟 Favourites: Easily flag your best shots.
🗂️ Albums: Create custom folders (great for travel, projects, or themes).
🔍 Searchable: Add keywords so you can actually find that epic sunset you took last month.
☁️ Cloud Syncing: Your edits and albums sync across devices if you’re using a Lightroom account (amazing if you bounce between phone and laptop like I do).

Rate and Review page from my Lightroom app books

2. Easy Editing Tools That Make a Big Difference

Let’s start with the basics. Lightroom’s free version gives you a powerful editing toolkit that’s perfect for beginners.

You can:

Adjust exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows (aka fix those too-bright or too-dark shots).
Fine-tune colour using white balance, vibrance, and saturation.
Straighten horizons and crop your image for better composition.
Use presets to apply a consistent style with just one tap (check out my guide on using Lightroom presets).

Bonus tip: If you’re brand new to editing, start by playing with just exposure and contrast. You’ll be amazed how much difference it makes.

3. Advanced Tools for When You’re Ready to Level Up

When you’re feeling confident and ready to take things further, Lightroom Mobile has a few extra tricks up its sleeve (some of these are part of the premium version, which is well worth it if you’re getting serious).

Here’s what you’ll unlock:

🎯 Selective Edits: Brighten just the subject or darken the background—without affecting the whole image.
🧹 Healing Brush: Remove distractions (like power lines or random tourists).
🌈 Colour Grading: Add mood and atmosphere with fine-tuned tones.
🪄 Geometry Tools: Fix wonky lines or distorted perspectives (great for architecture shots).

I personally love the selective edits tools for enhancing a subject without making the edit look fake. It’s a subtle touch that gives your photo that professional polish.

Healing brush page from my Lightroom books

4. The Built-in Camera: Shoot with Full Control

Here’s something most people overlook—Lightroom Mobile has its own built-in camera, and it’s way better than the standard camera app.

I use it all the time when I’m out and about without my “big camera.” It lets me:

Shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility (perfect for sunset photography).
Manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, focus, and white balance.
Lock exposure and focus for tricky lighting situations.
Save directly into Lightroom so I can edit straight away.

It feels like having a mini DSLR in your phone—and it gives you creative control that most default camera apps just can’t match.

A page from my Lightroom App Book on the Camera features

My Favourite Things About Lightroom Mobile

I could go on about features forever, but here are a few of the real life reasons I keep coming back to Lightroom Mobile:

It’s quick. I can edit and post to Instagram in minutes.
It gives me creative control. I’m not just slapping on a filter—I’m crafting an image I’m proud of.
It grows with you. As you learn more about photography, Lightroom has the tools to support your journey.
It’s in my pocket. I never miss a shot, because I always have my phone with me.

A photo taken and edited with the Lightroom App

Ready to Get Started?

If you’ve been wondering how to take your phone photography to the next level—Lightroom Mobile is the answer. It’s powerful, professional, and beginner-friendly. Plus, it makes editing feel less like a chore and more like play.

👉 Give it a try, explore the tools, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Your phone photos deserve to shine.

And if you’re ready to dive deeper into editing, be sure to check out my Lightroom books—I’ve written them with beginners in mind, with step-by-step instructions, tips, and examples to guide you every step of the way. Some of the photos in the blog are pages from those books.