There are certain situations where you may want to remotely take a photo without touching your iPhone.
Maybe you want to be in a group shot during a party. Maybe you’re using a tripod to set up the perfect still photo, and don’t want to disturb the camera.
Perhaps you want to place the camera in a place that you can’t reach for a creative angle. Or, maybe you’re taking a self-portrait and want to step further back from the camera.
There are actually several ways you can take a photo without touching your iPhone. Let’s explore three ways to remotely take a photo on your iPhone…
1) Using an Apple Watch
If you happen to own both an iPhone and an Apple Watch, the easiest way to remote control your iPhone’s camera happens to be right there on your wrist.
If you go into the “Applications” menu on your Apple Watch, you’ll notice a grey icon that looks like a camera shutter.
This is the “Camera” app, and opening it will immediately connect your watch to your phone so that you can use the Apple Watch almost like an external monitor.
You’ll see what your iPhone camera sees, right there on your wrist.
More than that, you’ll also be able to tap your finger and snap a picture whenever you want. You can also set options in terms of your iPhone’s timer, the flash, Live Photo functionality and even HDR (high dynamic range).
2) Using Voice Control
Another way to remotely control your iPhone’s camera involves using the power of your voice. This is one of those tips that is so easy you’ll soon wonder how you were ever able to get along without it.
To get this to work, you’ll first need to enable Voice Control on your iPhone. 1. Open the “Settings” app and scroll down to the “Accessibility”.
2. Find the option labeled “Voice Control”.
3. Tap on “Set Up Voice Control”, then follow the prompts to allow access to your iPhone.
4. Then, open the “Camera” app and line up whatever shot you’d like to capture. At that point, all you have to do is say “Turn up the Volume” to trigger the shutter!
This works because under normal circumstances, the “Volume Up” and “Volume Down” buttons on the side of your iPhone actually do trigger the shutter and take photos. This is essentially the same thing, only you no longer have to physically interact with your iPhone to get to that point.
Note that you can also use the phrase “Hey Siri, turn up the volume” to accomplish much the same thing without going to the trouble of enabling Voice Control. But it really is up to you at that point which method you prefer.
3) Using a Remote Camera Shutter Button
Last but not least, you can take a step into the direction of becoming a professional photographer and buy an external accessory called a “remote camera button” to trigger your iPhone’s camera remotely.
You can get an iPhone Camera Shutter Button along with a very useful Selfie Stick Tripod here.
The Remote Shutter Button communicates with your iPhone via Bluetooth and is designed to trigger the shutter without having to touch the camera.
All you have to do is open the “Camera” app, line up your shot on screen, and tap the button on the camera shutter remote whenever you’re ready.
The picture will be automatically taken, and you can enjoy the fruits of your labor by going over to the “Photos” app and reviewing your work.
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I tried using Siri to take the photo but Siri does not seem to work in the Camera app. Any suggestion for that?
Another way to activate the camera remotely is to use the delay timer. Choose between 3 secs and 10 secs. Gives you that amount of time to get yourself in position. My wife discovered this as a way to take selfies when she found it awkward to hold the phone and activate the shutter at the same time.
Very helpful information! I will be trying these tips for taking pics.
Thank you, Pete