Camera Control on the iPhone 16 series: What you can do, how it works and more

Camera control

It is a button for all its purposes. Yet, Apple refuses to call it a button. To be fair, a case can be made for Apple’s steadfast refusal to call it a button. The Camera Control does a lot more than any button would actually do. So what does it do? Having used it for more than a week now, we explain all you need to know about the Camera Control on iPhone 16 series

What is Camera Control?

The Camera Control button is a physical and touch-sensitive button that allows you to quickly open the camera app and access various camera settings. It combines the tactile feedback of a physical button with the versatility of touch controls, similar to the Action Button but dedicated solely to the camera. It is Apple’s way of putting DSLR-like functionality at your fingertips

What can you do with Camera Control

Open the Camera app

A single press of the Camera Control button instantly opens the camera app, allowing you to capture moments without delay

Click photos and shoot videos

Once the camera app is open, pressing the button again takes a photo. If you press and hold the button, it starts recording a video. Releasing the button stops the recording unless you tap the on-screen record button.

Tinker with the camera settings

It offers a range of settings that you can adjust with light presses and swipes. These settings include:
Exposure: Adjust the brightness of your scene.
Depth: Modify the background depth-of-field effect, enabling Portrait mode if not already selected.
Zoom: Zoom in or out to frame your shot perfectly.
Cameras: Switch between different camera lenses to change the field of view.
Tone: Adjust the tone to lighten or deepen the mood of your photo.

Customisation options

iOS 18 is all about customisation and Camera Control also gets a few. You can customise the number of clicks required to open the camera app and adjust the pressure sensitivity for light presses. This makes the Camera Control button adaptable to your preferences and needs.

Other apps

Apple has opened up the Camera Control button to third-party developers, allowing apps like Halide, ProCamera, to utilise this feature. This means you can launch and control these apps directly using the Camera Control button

How to use Camera Control

Here are some ways you can use Camera Control:
Single Click: Opens the camera app.
Double Click: Takes a photo or starts/stops video recording.
Light Press: Opens an overlay with adjustable settings.
Swipe: Scroll through and adjust settings like zoom and exposure.
For casual photographers or a professionals, Camera Control is a rather nifty feature to have. That is, once you get used to it as it does take time to master all the controls.