Temporary Fix Prioritizes Compatibility Over Full Functionality
Adobe’s popular computational photography app, Project Indigo, has run into compatibility issues with the new iPhone 17 series. After a month of delays and partial functionality, the company announced it is temporarily disabling front-facing camera access to restore basic support for Apple’s latest devices.
The move comes after users reported that Project Indigo had been completely unusable on iPhone 17 models due to the phone’s new square-format selfie sensor. Adobe had been working on a patch to fix the issue and had shared intermittent updates on its community forums. However, with the holidays approaching and growing user frustration, the company opted to release a limited-functionality update rather than keep users waiting longer.
App Gains iPhone 17 Support — But Loses Selfie Mode
The update, rolling out this week, will allow Project Indigo to function normally with the iPhone 17’s rear cameras, while the selfie camera feature remains disabled. Adobe said it plans to reintroduce front-camera support once Apple releases iOS 26.1, which will include system-level fixes enabling full compatibility.
“Project Indigo’s rendering pipeline relies on Apple’s imaging APIs, and the new square-format sensor introduced unexpected behavior,” an Adobe spokesperson said. “We’re working closely with Apple to ensure the experience matches the quality our users expect.”
Fans Frustrated by Missing Feature
Project Indigo, which launched in June 2025, quickly gained traction among photographers and influencers for its distinctive visual style — a “softer touch” compared to the iPhone’s native camera app. The app’s machine learning engine intelligently blended contrast and color to produce more natural, film-like tones, setting it apart from Apple’s sharper, more processed look.
The lack of selfie support, however, has disappointed a portion of its fanbase, many of whom use the app for portraits and social media content. On Adobe’s community forums, users expressed frustration over the decision, though most welcomed the return of basic compatibility.
Fix Expected in Upcoming iOS Update
Adobe confirmed that once iOS 26.1 becomes available, it will roll out a follow-up update restoring front-camera functionality. Until then, iPhone 17 users can only access Project Indigo’s rear-camera mode for shooting and editing.
While the workaround is temporary, it highlights the increasing complexity of maintaining third-party camera apps across rapidly evolving smartphone hardware. For now, Adobe says it remains committed to “delivering a full-featured Indigo experience across all supported devices” in the coming weeks.