Last Update: July 09, 2025

If you have an Android phone with a decent camera, you already have what you need to take your own passport photo at home. But what’s the process like, and is it really worth all the manual steps?

Let’s break it down so you know exactly what’s involved—and how you can skip the hassle with InstaIDPhoto as low as £1.99 for a single HMPO compliant passport photo.

The Fast Track

Get a UK Passport Photo in 3 Minutes with InstaIDPhoto

• Take or upload a photo from your phone
• Let our AI and compliance experts check and adjust it for official requirements
• Get your approved digital photo instantly—or order prints delivered to your door

• 100% UK acceptance, human expert-verified
• Money-back guarantee if not accepted
• Thousands of happy customers
• No stress, no wasted time—done in minutes

“I needed a passport photo urgently and didn’t want to risk rejection. InstaIDPhoto checked and fixed everything instantly—and my photo was approved with no issues!”

— Sarah, Manchester

Prefer Doing It Yourself?

Here’s the Manual Process on Android

1. Find the Right Setting

• Stand against a plain, light-coloured wall—white, cream, or light grey
• Avoid any patterns, shadows, or objects in the background
• Use bright, natural light to reduce shadows and avoid yellow or blue tints

Tip: Struggling to find a suitable background? InstaIDPhoto automatically replaces any background with a perfect white one—no extra tools required.

2. Pose Correctly

• Face the camera straight on, with your head centered and level
• Maintain a neutral expression (no smiling, no frowning)
• Eyes open, mouth closed
• Make sure your hair doesn’t cover your eyes or eyebrows
• No glasses (unless medically required), hats, or uniforms

Incorrect posing is a leading cause of passport photo rejections—so take your time!

3. Take the Photo (Selfies Not Allowed!)

• Selfies are NOT accepted for UK passports. Ask someone else to take your photo using your phone, or use a tripod with a timer.
• Hold the camera about 1.5 metres away, at eye level
• Take several photos to ensure you get the right shot

4. Crop and Resize

• The UK digital passport photo must be 600x750 pixels
• Use your phone’s editing tools or a free online resizer to adjust the size
• Make sure your head height is between 29mm and 34mm (about 70–80% of the photo height)
• The upper shoulders should also be visible

Tip: With InstaIDPhoto, you just upload any photo—our app automatically crops and scales everything for you.

5. Check the Background Again

• If there’s any colour or object in the background, use photo editing software or a background remover app to fix it
• Poorly edited backgrounds (blurred edges, visible pixels) can cause rejection

With InstaIDPhoto, the app handles background removal perfectly and instantly.

6. Review, Download, and Print

• Check all requirements again: background, head size, lighting, no filters, neutral expression
• Download your final image and print it using a high-quality printer or a local photo service
• Double-check before submitting—rejections can delay your application

Or Skip the Manual Steps—Choose InstaIDPhoto for Peace of Mind

• Simple upload or instant capture from your Android
• Automatic background removal, cropping, and compliance checks
• Final review by expert humans, not just AI
• Instant digital download or UK print delivery
• Full guarantee of official acceptance—or your money back

“I tried doing it myself and got frustrated with all the little rules. InstaIDPhoto took care of everything—and my passport photo was approved first time.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a UK passport photo at home?
Yes! Just follow all the rules—or use InstaIDPhoto to guarantee compliance.

Can I use a selfie?
No—UK rules do not accept selfies. Your photo must be taken by someone else, straight on.

How long does it take with InstaIDPhoto?
Usually just 2–3 minutes from upload to download or print order.

The Bottom Line

You can do everything yourself with your Android phone—but you’ll need to check every detail, crop and edit perfectly, and still hope for approval.
Or you can trust InstaIDPhoto to get it right—quickly, easily, and with total peace of mind.