Adobe’s computational photography app, Project Indigo, has finally received support for Apple’s latest iPhone 17 devices after several weeks of compatibility delays. However, the update comes with a notable limitation: users of the iPhone 17 series will not be able to use the front-facing camera within the app for the time being. Adobe has temporarily disabled the selfie camera feature to release a stable version of the app while it works on a more complete fix.
Background on Project Indigo
Project Indigo first launched in June and quickly gained attention among mobile photography enthusiasts. The app was designed to offer a different approach to image processing compared to the standard iPhone camera app. Users praised Project Indigo for its softer image treatment and more natural handling of skin tones and textures, in contrast to the sharper and more contrast-heavy results typical of Apple’s default processing.
The appeal of Project Indigo lies in its computational photography pipeline, which blends multi-frame capture techniques with Adobe’s editing technology. The app allows users to take photos that feel more organic, often described as closer to what the camera sees rather than heavily processed. This made it especially popular among portrait photographers and users who preferred a more film-like aesthetic.
Compatibility challenges with the iPhone 17 series
When Apple introduced the iPhone 17 series, a major change came with it: a square-format selfie sensor. This shift significantly altered the way images from the front-facing camera were captured and processed. While Apple’s own software was already optimised for the new sensor layout, third-party developers needed time to adjust their image pipelines so that captured images would display and render correctly.
For the past month, Project Indigo has not supported the iPhone 17 series at all. Users attempting to open the app on the new devices were unable to access camera features, prompting widespread discussion on the Adobe Community forums. Adobe acknowledged the issue early on and assured users that progress was being made, but it did not initially provide a timeline.
Behind the scenes, engineers were working on recalibrating the app’s processing system for the new front-facing sensor configuration. However, ensuring full functionality across the entire app proved more complex than expected.
Temporary removal of front-facing camera support
To deliver a functional update without further delay, Adobe has disabled access to the selfie camera entirely for iPhone 17 users. This means that, for now, Project Indigo works only with the rear camera on Apple’s newest phones.
Adobe has confirmed that support for the front-facing camera will return in a future release. A fix included in Apple’s upcoming iOS 26.1 update is expected to address key technical obstacles that have prevented Adobe from completing its adjustments. Once that update is widely available, Adobe plans to re-enable the selfie camera in Project Indigo, restoring full feature compatibility.
For users who rely heavily on the front-facing camera, the temporary limitation may be inconvenient. However, Adobe’s approach ensures that iPhone 17 owners can at least begin using Project Indigo’s rear-camera enhancements while the company completes further optimisation work.
While no specific date has been provided for the return of selfie support, Adobe has stated that the feature will be restored as soon as the required updates are in place and testing is complete. Until then, users can expect ongoing updates and communication through Adobe’s usual support channels.
