Galaxy S9 Red Eye Fix: Camera & Photo Edit

To fix red eye on a Galaxy S9, use the built-in photo editor’s red-eye correction tool on existing photos, or enable the flash red-eye reduction setting before taking new ones. This article explains both methods step by step, plus how to handle stubborn cases and prevent the problem entirely.

Why Red Eye Happens on the Galaxy S9

Red eye occurs when the camera flash is close to the lens, as it is on the S9. The flash light enters the eye through the pupil, reflects off the blood-rich retina at the back of the eye, and comes back out through the pupil, giving the red glow. In dim lighting, pupils are dilated, making the effect more pronounced. The S9’s single rear flash sits directly above the lens, so it is more prone to red eye than cameras with off-axis flashes. The front camera has a screen flash, which is less intense but can still cause red eye in low light.

Method 1: Fix Red Eye in Existing Photos (Gallery Editor)

The S9’s default Gallery app includes a red-eye removal tool. This is the quickest way to correct a photo after you’ve taken it.

1. Open the Gallery app and select the photo with red eye.
2. Tap the pencil icon (or “Edit”) at the bottom to open the editor.
3. Tap the smiley face icon (stickers/decorations) or look for the “Red eye” option under the adjustment tools. On most S9 software versions, it’s under the sticker/decoration tab.
4. Tap “Red eye” and then tap each eye that needs fixing. The tool automatically replaces the red with a natural dark color.
5. Tap Save to apply the change. The original photo is preserved unless you choose to overwrite it.

If you don’t see the red-eye tool in the Gallery editor, you can use Google Photos (often pre-installed) which has a similar feature under “Edit” > “More” > “Red eye.”

Method 2: Prevent Red Eye Before Taking the Photo

Prevention is better than correction. The S9 camera app has a built-in red-eye reduction feature that fires a pre-flash to constrict pupils before the main flash.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap the gear icon (settings) in the top-left corner of the viewfinder.
3. Scroll to find “Red eye reduction” and toggle it on.
4. Take the photo as normal. The camera will emit a brief pre-flash before the main shot.

Note that this setting may not be available when using certain shooting modes like Pro or when the flash is set to “Auto” or “Off.” It works best with the rear camera and the flash set to “On” or “Auto.”

Method 3: Manual Fix with a Third-Party App

If the built-in tool fails or you want more control, many free photo editors can remove red eye manually. Popular options include Snapseed, Adobe Lightroom Mobile, and PicsArt. The general steps are:

1. Import the photo into the app.
2. Select the “Red eye” or “Healing” brush tool.
3. Zoom in on the eye and tap or brush over the red area.
4. Adjust the intensity if needed and export the photo.

These apps often give better results on tricky cases where the red eye is partially covered by eyelashes or where the red is uneven.

Common Problems and How to Get Better Results

Sometimes the red-eye tool doesn’t work perfectly. Here are common issues and solutions:

• Red eye is too small or blurry: Zoom in as much as possible before tapping. The tool works better on clear, high-resolution images.
• The tool turns the eye black: This happens when the red is very dark. Try lowering the tool’s intensity or use a manual brush in a third-party app to paint a more natural color.
• Red eye appears in pets: The S9’s red-eye tool may not work well on animal eyes, which have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum. Use a manual brush and sample a dark brown color from the iris instead.
• Red eye in video: You cannot fix red eye in a video directly. You would need to extract a frame and edit it as a photo, or leave it as is.

Why the S9’s Flash Causes More Red Eye Than Other Phones

The Galaxy S9’s rear camera flash is positioned very close to the lens, which is the primary cause of red eye. The closer the flash is to the lens axis, the more directly the light reflects off the retina and back into the lens. Phones with dual-lens setups or external flashes that are farther from the lens naturally produce less red eye. The S9’s variable aperture (f/1.5 to f/2.4) doesn’t affect red eye directly, but the wide aperture lets in more ambient light, which can make the flash less necessary in moderate light, reducing the chance of red eye.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Galaxy S9 have a red-eye reduction feature?

Yes, the S9 camera has a red-eye reduction setting that you can enable in the camera settings. It fires a pre-flash to shrink pupils before the main flash, which significantly reduces the chance of red eye.

Can I fix red eye in a photo that’s already been edited or compressed?

Yes, but the quality of the result depends on the resolution and compression. If the photo was heavily compressed (e.g., sent via messaging apps), the red-eye tool may struggle to find the red area. Try using a third-party app with a manual brush for better control.

Why does my S9 sometimes not show the red-eye tool in the Gallery editor?

The red-eye tool is located under the sticker/decorations icon in the Gallery editor. If you don’t see it, your software version might have moved it. Try updating your phone’s software to the latest version. Alternatively, use Google Photos or another editing app.

Will red-eye reduction work with the front camera?

The front camera uses a screen flash (the display lights up white). This is less intense and less direct than a dedicated flash, so red eye is less common. The red-eye reduction setting may not apply to the front camera, but you can still fix red eye in the Gallery editor afterward.

Can I remove red eye from a photo taken with another phone?

Yes, you can transfer the photo to your S9 and use the same Gallery editor or any third-party app. The red-eye tool works on any photo stored on the device, regardless of which camera took it.

Is there a way to avoid red eye without using the flash?

Yes, the best way is to take photos in brighter light or use the S9’s “HDR” mode, which combines multiple exposures and often reduces the need for flash. You can also use a third-party camera app that allows you to set the flash to “On” with a longer pre-flash, or use an external LED light attached to the phone.

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