Focos Reviews

by Imtobisonbrown

I’ve paid an ungodly amount of money for photo manipulation apps over the years.
Year after year I find myself editing more things in the photos app and not needing 3rd party. I paid for this app with my first portrait iPhone and forgot about it.
Well I’m back and I love what Focos can do that photos can not. Depth control and lighting control with an easy to use interface and a ton of lens presets from lenses I know and have wanted to emulate. Wow. Just wow.
But wait. Missed the 5 star because I see there is a subscription model? Thanks for letting my purchase work, but it’s hard out there in the streets with all the stupid subscriptions.

by Cathey98

I've used Focos for some time. It has been my "go to" app for taking pics for selling my items on Poshmark, Mercari, EBay, etc. I am a full time retailer now!.... But lately when taking pics one after another, just as I always have, it freezes kind of. It will make the shutter sound and stop on the screen as tho it has taken the pic, but there is no pic below. I can continue to press the shutter button and it will continue to do those things and there will still be no pic. If I force close Focos , SOMETIMES it will fix it, sometimes it will not and I just have to stop working altogether. This is a huge inconvenience! This was my last ditch effort before finding another app. I didn't want to delete it and re-install it because I'm not sure what work I would lose in the process? Idk. Maybe a developer might read this, maybe they don't even care about these. Who knows. It was worth a shot for me, if nothing else, I'll end up knowing I need another app... Is anyone else having this issue??? P.S. that's the only reason I deducted a star.

by ROC-889

this app is an amazing app that generates a depth map, similar to Apple’s PORTRAIT mode, and creates a great illusion of depth-of-field in photos for savvy photographers. The ability to change the point of focus after the fact is HUGE! It looks great for most uses but the lack of DNG format for output limits it to non-professional use. The latest generation of iPhones 12 and 13 ups the ante for apps and produces outstanding images capable of professional use, but does require post-processing as an option— that means DNG format. It’s too bad that this app does not deliver to that level. It’s TIFF format comes close but is just not good enough. I hope they add DNG format as an option.

by DND1226

Got a response from the developer on the following rating/question, told me the studio effects in B&W were “better” than black background effect. What if I’m tryin to get a studio effect with color? Still miss this effect and the rating will still be just a solid 4 without it. Will have to find another app to fill in the gap.

What have you done with "black background"?! This was a feature I most enjoyed about Focos. The new models are a welcome addition, but why must something always be lost when new is added? Return this option and it would be the most used app on my device and would get a solid 5 stars.

by Henofthewoo

I’m using this free, and I enjoy the tools. There are lots of functions I can’t reach without paying-I may subscribe eventually. It’s not completely intuitive, I think some of the tools are just over my head. I would like to be able to save an image that I edited to my photo stream when I hit save, that hasn’t seemed to work. I don’t normally review stuff because I want to play with it for a while before I give an opinion but this is certainly worth downloading and trying out. The 3D effects are great and I like switching the focal points in my photos.

Update: I can do things to the image that I want to save. I haven’t found how to make that save happen. Yes, all images that are saved go to my photo album but I can’t save while it is doing bokeh.

by Xanaduian

I had a iPhone 7 Plus and a Google Pixel 3 that had the hardware and software to take Bokeh effect pictures naturally. Well I wanted an iPhone 8. Not the 8 Plus because I wanted something smaller for my hands. The iPhone 8 doesn’t have the additional camera that it needs to take Bokeh pictures like the 7 and 8 Pluses have. It certainly doesn’t have the amazing software that the Google Pixel 3 has where it’s able to take Bokeh pictures with its ONE CAMERA! So I did the next best natural thing and searched online for any apps that can take Bokeh like pictures. Google recommended me Focos! It certainly does take great Bokeh pictures, AND it also modified some of the past pictures you took that’s already in your gallery. So it makes those pictures have the Bokeh/Blur effect too! It’s wonderful and beautiful really! I am really pleased with Focos. It also will either make a copy of the blurred/bokeh picture and you can keep your original unsalted photo, or it offers to overwrite/modify your original picture to make it seem like you originally took a picture with a Bokeh effect! It’s wonderfully and a Godsend for the iPhones who don’t have the portrait lenses! Like the 5s and above! 😍🤩

by Tessellation Row

I’ve been buying apps since 2009 and never felt compelled to write one. I’ve been using this app for about 10 months now and it’s simply the most powerful camera app on the store. The ability to capture, view and edit depth maps allow you manipulate an image artistically doesn’t exist to my knowledge. The free version is great but I felt it was worth paying for out of principle. I use it more than the camera app itself. The developers have made Focos run more smoothly over the last several months and added new features. (Great work). Highly recommended

by KristinaKnudsen

Honestly, this is the first time I ever write a review on something, nothing has impressed me this much before!
At first I couldn’t believe the features it offers, and how advance it is, I got a feeling I’m at least 5 years in the future!
Focos offers amazing focus on a chosen point, it than creates a 3D version of your picture which is very close to how it would really looked like, if your picture is focusing parts around the object you wish to be focused, Focos offers coloring corrections - the darker the color the more depth it represents.
And like that’s not enough, it also offers you lightning options, to add a light by your choice of type and place it on coordinates in the 3D version to be as close to the object you wish to set the light on as you want, (similar to Autodesk Maya).
All this on a tiny phone! And most of these options are FREE!
UNBELIEVABLE good. Well done guys, hats off.

by Brandon Aqua

I had an iPhone X and a Nikon so although I could use Focos it wasn't so interesting to me. Fast forward I pawned my camera to pay some bills and I have an iPhone 11 Pro so I thought let me stay active on social media and make the best photos I can with the tools I have. Lemme tell you Focos if you give it the time to actually check it out is AMAZING. The level of computational photography at play here actually lets you do some things not even possible on a Pro DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Wow. I really like Focos plus the price is not expensive. Of course the developers have to make money and this is not a product I choose for price. I choose Focos for QUALITY, but the affordable price is just and added bonus that makes Focos really attractive. I'm glad i've rediscovered Focos. Great work developers!!!!

Update: it’s 2021. I stopped using Focos, but i’m back. Breathing new life into old photos. Focos is better than ever! Wow. 🤍

by Moyillmaticking

Once you go through the tutorial your photos will come out like if they were shot with a thousand dollar Nikon Len. Focos has brought my photography to solid results, I’m very satisfied Focos exist because the tools and effects are amazing. It got bokeh, lighting effects, blur effects, even a blur brush that is easy to use. When you open Focos it already does it for you, you just need to use the brush icon tool to adjust the results. I highly recommend to purchase the features it provides, they are worth spending money on.

by Thestudland

I've had Focos for a long time and have used it minimally here and there. Now since the iPhone 13 Pro models don't have the 2x focal length for Portrait mode it's been a hassle to use. The new 3x lens just seems to be way too close and doesn't give enough room to time the shot. I know it will have better results in other situations but my subjects tend to not stay still for more then a second.

Now my new workaround is to capture a non Portrait mode image with the camera at the 2x length (a crop or so). I put that image into this app and add the blur and it's perfect!

by Itsnotmikael

I love this so much, there is little to complain about. The AI is amazing at detecting the depth. And I’m so happy you can extract and export the depth map out of the photo. However, I really want one feature, and that’s to be able to import a depth map. I have been dying to do this as I like to make 3D posts on Facebook because it’s super fun. The patch function is cool, however, for things such as art and media, it’d be cool if we could import our own depth map. Everything else about Focos is great though, from my time being on there. OH AND ALSO LIDAR SUPPORT PLEASE

by Gawbayyy

I really hope you see this! It would mean a lot! But I love Focos so much everything about it is impressive! It’s not the worlds best but s crazy how much detail it can put into a phone that doesn’t even have portrait!

Is there a way you can put it to where the face is blurred only? So I can take photos of my dog without going into another app and blurring it? If so that would be amazing I wouldn’t have to upgrade my phone and use Focos all the time! It’s totally okay if u cant but it would mean a lot if you do!! :) although I’m rating it 5 stars because it’s the best app I’ve ever downloaded :).

by MayBaePrincess

Right off the bat I can say I’m really enjoying Focos. In a very long search of an app that has amazing quality blurring background effects I have come across many that just didn’t fulfill what I wanted until I came across this one. Not only do they have gorgeous effects, they have many options for everyone who is looking for a blurring background editing app that gives a truly professional appearance. Very easy to use as well. My photos look amazing and high definition which is why I love it so much! Just like most you’ll get the best effects with the pro version but I must say “ TOTALLY WORTH IT!!” You will not be disappointed that I can guarantee!

by Snaprebelx

I got to try out Focos before I even got a dual lens phone and loved it. So it was my first download when I got my phone. I absolutely loved Focos . But the downside for me was the lag taking a pic with portrait mode vs a regular picture (this is due to the phone, not this app) I love taking spur of the moment photos and couldn’t always use portrait mode. When I opened Focos today to edit a picture and saw the new update that made it possible to use on all pics I excitedly tried a regular photo and it was absolutely perfect. I’m so thrilled that I just had to review. I have no real need for pro version but I think I’m going to buy it anyway just to support the developer. This is a must have app for photo lovers, hands down!!!

by Adaptiveagile

One of the highest-end photography tools I’ve found. The developer is a genius. Update: the more I use this, the more blown away I am. The power of Focos is quite unlike anything I’ve seen. One of my favorite features is being able to view the various layers of blur visually. You can view it in colors like a heat map. Moreover, when you begin painting the fine areas you wish to blur or unblur, a PIP window opens with a high magnification of the outline with crosshairs as with some premium scanning apps. Another feature I love is the highlights slider. It brings the photo to life. Incredible. I know I sound a little over the top here, but as a former graphic designer, I feel that this rivals any desktop app I’ve used. Just wow.

by Herbert Detwilder

Aside from the focus features the tool has a hidden gem called Patch. This utility allows you to modify the bump map of a Portrait photo to really enhance the 3D option in FaceBook.

The tools take some experimentation. The color overlays options are too dark for the background.

It lacks a magic wand selection tool fill color option and paint brush is just not as smart when it cones to borders as other image manipulation tools.

If the author could add color gradient range fill users could create elements smooth basic like a 3D globe with realistic depth and planes in perspective. Maybe even a copy/paste of smoother perspctive planes?

I’d also recommend that when the user selects a depth color, the tool jumps directly to the Brush tool for ease of use.

Maybe a rub push / pull to have more fine control over the depth of the bump map.

The 3D lens view is really good at spotting where the bump map needs to be fixed. I only wish the Augmented Reality mode had an edit mode so I could push pixels right where they need to be.

The downside: The is nothing else out the that does bump map editing at all. That’s why I bought it.

by Shiloh V

Great app. Having a lot of fun!

There are two things I can’t do with it though. Maybe it’s my knowledge and Focos has capabilities, maybe it needs an update...

1. The depth map field editor is very impressive. Especially with my Apple Pencil. However, I would like to be able to import a depth map from another program. Or pipeline to photoshop.

2. I would like the ability to export the 3-d mesh sections as 3-d files.

Developer response:
"Your suggestion is too complicated for a mobile app. My goal is to make new features to let most of users to use it. Thank you for your understanding."

I figured out how to pipeline it to "depth cam" where I can import a new depth map and get it back to "this app" from there. There is a trick to it. Hint: save as a portrait from "this app" first before editing it in "depth cam"

The 3d mesh is not a huge deal as I can do that later in photoshop.

There are also programs that convert the depth maps to .ply or .obj meshes like "hedges" and "record 3d". However, I can’t seem to import anything not recorded in them into them. They are made with different types of depth cameras but the concept is the same.

What I’m saying is that none of these features are "too complicated for a mobile app."

by Jakeacc

I got Focos a while ago when I got an iPhone X. Mainly wanted to customize the bokeh of my portrait mode pics. But wasn’t super impressed so stopped using it. I just started using it again when I heard there was a way to add shallow depth of field to any photograph. The feature works amazing. I would say 95% of the time, it creates a very convincing depth of field blur, finding foreground, mid-frowns, and background elements and blurring them appropriately. I’ve been applying this effect to photos I’ve taken over the past 20 years.

I currently have an iPhone 11 Pro and getting a native Portrait mode pix is still my fav option, but sometimes I don’t have enough space wherever I’m standing to get the portrait mode to activate. Focos is able to turn those pics to great portrait mode pics. If they figured out a way to add this to videos, that would be amazing.

by Alexleemd

Apples native portrait mode was giving me a headache to use so I looked around for a better third party solution. Focos is not only faster at processing the portrait, but it does so more reliably and with fewer errors. It is a very strong app that is much better than the stock apple app. It still has some issues with hair and any sort of stringy background pattern such as willow tree branches and cobblestones, but this is an issue with cell phone cameras in general. Overall I recommend Focos completely as it makes mobile photography good enough that I don’t have to pull out my mirrorless that often anymore.

by Eggandwaffle

Focos does a very good job of mimicking some lenses, but has a confusing range of options. It’s hard to tell the difference between many settings.
Also, I was hoping Focos would all allow for true depth simulation with both items in the extreme foreground and far background blurred, it handles background blurring nicely, but has problems with items in the foreground (often the blur looks like bad photoshop). Still under most portrait circumstances, the results are decent.

by Joey123.s

I’ve been using Focos for almost a year now. Me being able to adjust depth, change where the depth is in the photo, allowing me to add effects etc. Every single one of those features are amazing. It was a 5 star. Now with the added feature of taking any picture and being able to add bokeh is a 10 star rating. Incredible work you all are doing. Lifetime membership is even better!

by Taylor.Lynn

The things you can do with Focos 🙌. Portrait mode is great and all, but it still doesn’t give you that wide open look you get with a larger sensor. Focos really gives you so much control over how your depth of field looks. Honestly I can’t tell the difference between some of my iPhone and actual camera shots now (without pixel peeping of course). The yearly pro price was very reasonable as well.

by EdwardKhoma

This is by far the most revolutionary photography app for the iPhone. The developer of Focus is very passionate about pushing the boundaries of iPhone photography at it shows. Version 2.0 is SUCH a powerful update, bringing portrait mode to non-portrait photos. Let that sink in... any normal photo you take can now be enhanced with Focos to add depth of field and elevate your photos to the next level. Kudos to the developer, I cannot wait to see how Focus grows.

by Ericmst18

This new update is amazing, I have the iPhone 8 Plus and although portrait mode and everything is built into the phone the selfie portrait mode isn’t available on my phone, Focos allows that feature to come alive, and any other photo it allows me to change the depth of field regardless if it was on portrait mode. This is a game changer and it looks so accurate! Must have!

by Allen Lieberman

Bought the full edition for 12 bucks and it is the BEST 12 bucks I ever spent.

There is a very large learning curve so you need to be patient. It isn’t for beginners neither, it is for those that want to really get into video editing in a 3D dimension. For 2D dimension, stick with photoshop express.

My only complaint for lack of better term is using the various lenses for effects. It’s very difficult to find the effect when applying the lens filter as it is extremely subtle changes. I am sure it is user induced as I am only 24 hours into using Focos.

by Mr. Plane

The new update is remarkable. I do have a dual lens camera, but being able to get depth data out of non-portrait photos is insane. Amazing app, super helpful developer too! A few months ago I asked about an issue and got a response promising it to be fixed in the next update, along with a feature I requested. And it happened! Great person, awesome app and overall a must have tool for phone photography.

by Jesusx1

Usually taking a portrait picture means choosing between either capturing the perfect moment, or having it look nice.
But Focos allows you to focus on the moment and then once you’re ready, go back and touch up mistakes that your iPhone made when it tried to guess what was the background and what your subject actually was.
This is all the control your phone should have but is completely lacking. Thanks Devs!

by Chegaro

Fantastic app!! But with the latest update it chooses the wrong photo to edit in post, from Apples Photo app. By that I mean that when I choose a photo from Photos that has previosly been edited in another app, and saved as a copy in Photos app, when opened in this app, it chooses the Original photo over the edited version instead, and which is the one I want to edit.... Strange. That only means that I have to edit in this app, and then edit in other app. No big deal. Thanks!!!

by Slimshenky23

If you want more control of your portrait mode pics (or even the ability to mimic portrait mode with your standard images), Focos is for you! My three favorite features: being able to refocus the portrait mode images to any subject, the magic wand to fine tune the blur in front and behind the subject, and the AR view while adding additional light in an image (which also happens to digitally create accurate shadows as well)... With practice, your photos will look more professional!

by BAR112

App was already amazing for tweaking our portrait-mode photos taken with newer iPhones. With today’s update, we can turn ANY photo into amazing portrait-style with bokeh background. Just brush on the places you want to stand out and it automatically blurs the background, plus provides many other options such as lighting, aperature, shapes, etc. Highly recommend it; just purchase this app Pro—it’s the best of its class!