DEVELOPING COLOR
Best Apple Log LUTs for iPhone in 2026: Top Pick
Shot Apple Log on your iPhone and got gray, washed-out footage? That's normal, and it's easy to fix. Here are the best Apple Log LUTs for iPhone, plus every other way to get clean, cinematic color out of Apple Log in 2026: nine options, ranked from the dedicated LUT pack built for the job down to the free, DIY routes that take more time but cost nothing.
Every before/after on this page is real iPhone Apple Log footage with one Ypresets LUT applied. Drag the handle to compare.
Quick answer
- Best Apple Log LUTs overall
- Ypresets iPhone Apple Log LUTs. 18 one-click looks for Apple Log and Apple Log 2 on iPhone 15 Pro to 18 Pro Max.
- Best for full manual control
- Grading Log by hand in Lightroom or DaVinci Resolve.
- Best budget option
- Free community-made Apple Log LUTs, if you don't mind uneven quality.
- No Pro iPhone?
- iPhone Duo and non-Pro models don't shoot Apple Log. Use iPhone Cinematic LUTs instead.
- Drone or Osmo footage?
- D-Log needs its own LUTs. An Apple Log LUT won't correct it.
Why Apple Log looks flat (and why that's fine)
Apple Log exists so iPhone footage can hold onto more shadow and highlight detail, the same trade-off professional cinema cameras have made for years. The cost of that flexibility is footage that looks washed-out and gray until it's color graded.
Most people shoot Apple Log once, see the flat result, and assume something's broken. Nothing is. The footage is doing exactly what it's supposed to do before a LUT or manual grade is applied.
“If your Apple Log footage looks gray and flat straight out of the camera, that's normal. The LUT is the step that turns it into color.”
You shouldn't have to become a colorist just because you shot Log. The rest of this guide ranks the realistic ways to close that gap, from a one-click LUT pack to grading everything by hand.
What makes the best Apple Log LUT (and Apple Log 2 LUT)
- Built for Apple's Log curve specifically, not a generic flat-profile LUT repurposed from a different camera system
- Works on Apple Log and Apple Log 2, across iPhone 15 Pro through 18 Pro
- Consistent skin tones across mixed daylight, indoor and golden-hour footage
- Standard .cube format that drops into DaVinci Resolve, Premiere, Final Cut, LumaFusion or Blackmagic Cam without conversion
- Enough look variety to match different content instead of one fixed grade
- Clear, beginner-friendly instructions, since most people trying this have never graded flat footage before
Apple Log LUT options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ypresets iPhone Apple Log LUTs | iPhone 15 Pro–18 Pro Apple Log and Apple Log 2 footage | 18 looks built for Apple's Log curve | Only corrects Apple Log, not standard iPhone video |
| Native Log grading in Lightroom | Full manual control | No dependency on a pre-made look | Steep learning curve for beginners |
| DaVinci Resolve Color Match / Log wheels | Editors already cutting in Resolve | Node-based grading with reference-image matching | Slower workflow than a one-click LUT |
| Free community-made Apple Log LUTs | Testing the workflow at no cost | Zero cost to try | Quality and accuracy vary creator to creator |
| Ypresets iPhone Cinematic LUTs | Standard (non-Log) iPhone video, including iPhone Duo | Built for iPhone's default sharp digital look | Not designed for flat Apple Log footage |
| Manual eyeball grading, no LUT | A one-off custom look | Total creative freedom | Slow, inconsistent between clips |
| Ypresets Drone Cinematic LUTs | Mixed iPhone and D-Log drone footage | Built for D-Log dynamic range | Won't correct Apple Log iPhone clips |
| Ypresets Osmo Cinematic LUTs | DJI Osmo and iPhone kits | Covers D-Log, D-Log 2 and D-Log M | Osmo-specific, not for other cameras |
| Independent colorist LUT bundles | A specific look outside this catalog | Wide variety across sellers | No standard for accuracy or file quality |
Ypresets iPhone Apple Log LUTs: best Apple Log LUT pack for iPhone 15 Pro through 18 Pro
Ypresets iPhone Apple Log LUTs is built specifically for Apple Log footage shot on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. The same 18 LUTs work on Apple Log and Apple Log 2, so there's no separate pack to buy.
It's a standard .cube LUT set, so it drops into DaVinci Resolve, Premiere, Final Cut, LumaFusion or Blackmagic Cam without any conversion step. The point is simple: take the gray, flat clip Apple Log produces and turn it into cinematic color in one click, not a grading session.
Apple Log LUTs pros
- Matched to Apple's Log curve specifically, not a generic flat-profile LUT
- 18 looks that work on Apple Log and Apple Log 2
- Works across every iPhone Pro that shoots Apple Log
- Standard .cube files for most major editors and Blackmagic Cam
- Faster than manual grading if you have no color experience
Apple Log LUTs cons
- Only corrects Apple Log footage. It won't do anything for standard iPhone video
- Still needs correct exposure and white balance when you shoot
- A LUT is a strong starting point, not a finished grade. Some clips need a small tweak after
Best for: iPhone 15 Pro–18 Pro creators who want cinematic video from Apple Log without learning color grading first.
Verdict: Buy.
All 18 looks in the pack
Every LUT in the pack, each on its own real Apple Log clip. Seven of them have a full before/after slider in this guide: LUT 11 (the top image), LUT 1, LUT 17, LUT 6, LUT 3, LUT 12 and LUT 18. Here are the other 11.
LUT 2Swan on a still alpine lake
LUT 4Hard light through a train window
LUT 5Paris Métro platform
LUT 7Kabukichō gate, Tokyo
LUT 8Street toward Mount Fuji
LUT 9Neon corner at night
LUT 10Amsterdam canal
LUT 13Crowds at the Forbidden City
LUT 14Tokyo Tower traffic
LUT 15Silver car under an overpass
LUT 16Colosseum at dusk
Native Log grading in Lightroom: best Apple Log LUT alternative for full manual control
Grading Apple Log footage by hand in Lightroom means pulling your own curves, white balance and saturation instead of applying a pre-built look. It costs nothing beyond your Lightroom subscription and gives you a completely custom result, clip by clip.
Manual Lightroom grading pros
- No dependency on any third-party LUT
- Total control over the final look
- A useful skill if you plan to grade professionally later
Manual Lightroom grading cons
- Steep learning curve if you're new to Log footage
- Inconsistent results between clips shot in different light
- Takes much longer per project than applying a LUT
Best for: Creators who want to learn color theory rather than shortcut to a finished look.
Verdict: Hold. Worth learning over time, not the fastest route.
DaVinci Resolve Color Match and Log wheels: best Apple Log workflow for Resolve editors
If you already cut video in DaVinci Resolve, its Log color wheels and Color Match tool let you correct Apple Log footage inside the timeline you're already editing on. No LUT purchase or install required.
Resolve Log grading pros
- Node-based grading gives precise, layered control
- Color Match can reference a still image to build a starting grade
- The free version of Resolve covers all of this
Resolve Log grading cons
- Slower than applying a one-click LUT
- Resolve's node system isn't intuitive for beginners
- Overkill if you just want a quick fix for a single clip
Best for: Editors already working in Resolve who don't want to add another app to the workflow.
Verdict: Hold.
Want premade looks without building nodes? Ypresets Color Lab, our DaVinci Resolve LUT plugin, puts every Ypresets look, including the iPhone Apple Log pack, inside one Resolve effect with Intensity, color controls and film grain. It works in Resolve Free and Studio.
Free community-made Apple Log LUTs: best budget option
Creators and forums regularly share free Apple Log LUTs for iPhone. They cost nothing and are easy to find with a quick search.
Free community LUTs pros
- Zero cost
- Easy to test a few looks before paying for a pack
Free community LUTs cons
- Accuracy and quality vary widely. Some are built for the wrong Log curve entirely
- No support if the LUT doesn't behave as expected
- Often undocumented, so beginners don't know how to apply them
Best for: Creators testing whether Apple Log is worth it before spending anything.
Verdict: Wait. Fine for testing, not reliable enough to build a workflow around.
Ypresets iPhone Cinematic LUTs: best LUTs for iPhone video that isn't Apple Log
Ypresets iPhone Cinematic LUTs is built for standard iPhone video, not Apple Log. It softens the iPhone's default sharp, digital look into something closer to cinematic color, which matters if you're not shooting flat at all.
It's also the pick if your phone can't shoot Apple Log. That includes iPhone Duo and every non-Pro iPhone, since Apple Log is a Pro-only feature.
iPhone Cinematic LUTs pros
- Built specifically for standard iPhone footage, not repurposed from another camera
- Great if you don't want to deal with flat profiles
- Standard .cube format, same compatibility as the Apple Log pack
iPhone Cinematic LUTs cons
- Not designed for flat Apple Log footage. Using it there won't fix the gray look
- Less dynamic range to work with than shooting Log in the first place
Best for: Creators who film in standard mode, or own an iPhone Duo or non-Pro iPhone, and want cinematic color without Log.
Verdict: Buy, if you're not shooting Apple Log.
Manual eyeball grading without any LUT: best for a one-off custom look
Some creators skip LUTs entirely and grade every clip by feel, pulling exposure, contrast and color balance manually, clip by clip.
Manual eyeball grading pros
- A completely custom result every time
- No cost beyond your editing software
Manual eyeball grading cons
- Slow, especially across a multi-clip project
- Hard to keep color consistent across a whole video
- Needs color-grading experience most beginners don't have yet
Best for: Experienced editors chasing one specific, non-repeatable look.
Verdict: Skip for beginners. Come back to it once you know the basics.
Ypresets Drone Cinematic LUTs: best companion pick for mixed iPhone and drone footage
If you shoot iPhone Apple Log and drone D-Log footage in the same project, you need two LUT sets, because an Apple Log LUT won't correct drone footage and vice versa. Ypresets Drone Cinematic LUTs is built for D-Log dynamic range specifically.
Drone Cinematic LUTs pros
- Built for the flat, wide dynamic-range look of drone D-Log footage
- Matches well against iPhone Apple Log grades for a consistent multi-camera edit
Drone Cinematic LUTs cons
- Won't correct iPhone Apple Log footage. It's for drone D-Log and D-Log M only
- Only useful if you actually shoot aerial footage in Log
Best for: Creators cutting iPhone and drone footage together in the same video.
Verdict: Buy if drone footage is part of your workflow. Otherwise skip.
Ypresets Osmo Cinematic LUTs: best companion pick for a DJI Osmo and iPhone kit
DJI Osmo cameras shooting D-Log, D-Log 2 or D-Log M have the same flat, washed-out look as Apple Log on iPhone. Ypresets Osmo Cinematic LUTs is built to correct that specific curve for one-click cinematic color.
Osmo Cinematic LUTs pros
- Covers D-Log, D-Log 2 and D-Log M in one pack
- Keeps color consistent when cutting Osmo footage with iPhone Apple Log clips
Osmo Cinematic LUTs cons
- Osmo-specific, so no benefit if you don't shoot DJI Osmo
- Like any LUT pack, it needs correctly exposed flat footage
Best for: Creators running a DJI Osmo and iPhone combo kit.
Verdict: Buy for Osmo shooters. Skip otherwise.
Independent colorist LUT bundles sold online: best for a specific look outside this catalog
Independent colorists sell their own Apple Log LUT bundles across various marketplaces. Quality, accuracy and documentation vary a lot from seller to seller, and there's no standard way to check a bundle before you buy it.
Independent LUT bundle pros
- A wide range of looks across different sellers
- Some are built by working colorists with real film-industry experience
Independent LUT bundle cons
- No consistent quality standard across sellers
- Hard to verify accuracy to Apple's Log curve before purchase
- Support and documentation vary wildly
Best for: Creators chasing a very specific film look not covered by a dedicated Apple Log pack.
Verdict: Wait. Research the seller carefully before buying.
How we ranked
Each option was weighed against the criteria above: a match to Apple's actual Log curve, coverage across the iPhone Pro line, consistency across lighting, standard file compatibility, look variety, and how approachable it is for a first-timer.
Dedicated Apple Log LUTs scored highest because they solve the exact problem Apple Log footage creates. Manual and Resolve-based methods rank lower only because of the time and skill they demand, not because the results are worse.
Which Apple Log LUT should you choose?
If you shoot Apple Log on an iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro, 17 Pro or 18 Pro and want cinematic video without a color-grading education, Ypresets iPhone Apple Log LUTs is the pick for 2026.
Not shooting Log, or on an iPhone Duo or non-Pro model? Grab the iPhone Cinematic LUTs instead. Add the Drone or Osmo packs only if aerial or DJI footage is really part of your workflow. Otherwise they'll sit unused.
How to use Apple Log LUTs on iPhone footage
- Shoot in Apple Log in the iPhone Camera app or Blackmagic Cam. Expose for your subject, not the sky. Our Apple Log shooting guide covers the settings.
- Load the .cube file into DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut, Premiere, LumaFusion or Blackmagic Cam. The LUT installation guide walks through each app.
- Apply one LUT to the clip. That's the grade. Nudge exposure or white balance only if the shot needs it.
FAQ
What are the best Apple Log LUTs for iPhone in 2026?
Ypresets iPhone Apple Log LUTs is the best dedicated pick for iPhone 15 Pro through 18 Pro Apple Log footage in 2026. It's built specifically for Apple's Log curve rather than being a repurposed flat-profile LUT, and the 18 looks work on both Apple Log and Apple Log 2.
Do I need a LUT to use Apple Log on iPhone?
You don't strictly need one, but without a LUT or a manual grade, Apple Log footage stays gray and flat. A LUT is the fastest way to get usable color without learning manual grading first.
Which iPhones support Apple Log?
Apple Log is only on the Pro models: iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. Non-Pro iPhones and iPhone Duo don't shoot Apple Log.
I have an iPhone Duo or a non-Pro iPhone. Which LUTs should I use?
Use iPhone Cinematic LUTs. They're built for standard (non-Log) iPhone video, which is what iPhone Duo and non-Pro models record. Apple Log LUTs are made for flat Log footage and won't look right on standard video.
Do these LUTs work with Apple Log 2?
Yes. The same 18 Ypresets Apple Log LUTs work on Apple Log and Apple Log 2 footage, so there's no separate Apple Log 2 pack to buy. Our Apple Log vs Apple Log 2 test explains why.
How many LUTs are in the Ypresets Apple Log pack?
18. Every one is built for iPhone Apple Log, and this guide shows each of them on real footage.
Are free Apple Log LUTs any good?
Some are usable for testing, but quality and accuracy vary a lot between creators. Treat free LUTs as a way to sample the workflow, not a long-term solution.
Can I use Apple Log LUTs in Lightroom?
No. Lightroom can't load .cube LUT files directly. Apple Log LUTs are for video editors and apps such as DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, CapCut desktop, LumaFusion, VN and Blackmagic Cam, and our LUT installation guide shows how to load them. For photos, use Lightroom presets instead.
Is Apple Log better than shooting standard iPhone video?
Apple Log captures more dynamic range in shadows and highlights, which gives more room to grade in post. Standard iPhone video needs less post-processing but has less flexibility if lighting is tricky.
Do Apple Log LUTs work on DJI drone or Osmo footage?
No. Apple Log LUTs are built for Apple's specific Log curve and won't correct DJI's D-Log, D-Log 2 or D-Log M footage. Those need their own dedicated LUTs.
How much color-grading skill do I need to use a LUT?
None to start. A LUT applies in one click, and small manual adjustments afterward are optional, not required.
One last thing
Exposure matters more than the LUT itself. Apple Log footage that's badly underexposed or overexposed will look wrong no matter which LUT you apply, so check your histogram before you hit record, not after.
