If you don’t have an Apple Watch, this is another way to control your iPhone’s camera.
When Apple released iOS 26 last September, it added some new AirPods features. One of them was Camera Remote. As you can probably guess from the name, it lets you use your AirPods as a wireless shutter release for your iPhone.
This is useful if you don’t have an Apple Watch on hand and therefore can’t access the dedicated Camera Remote app. Instead of placing your iPhone on a surface, setting a timer for 10 seconds, and running back to take a selfie, you can simply click on your AirPods to activate the camera when you’re ready. If this sounds useful to you, here’s how to set up your AirPods for camera controls.
What you’ll need to control your iPhone camera with AirPods
Before we explain how to enable Camera Remote, let’s go over what you’ll need.
Unfortunately, older AirPods models, like the original Pro version, do not support Camera Remote.
How to enable camera remote control
By default, Camera Remote is disabled. To get started, if your iPhone and AirPods aren’t already paired, follow our guide to do so before returning here. Once you’re ready, follow these instructions:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap your name airpods. If they don’t appear, open your AirPods case.
- Scroll down and find the Camera control section.
- Touch the Camera remote control field and select Press once either Press and hold.
Now, with Camera Remote enabled, whenever you have the Camera app open on your iPhone, you can take a photo or start and stop recording a video by pressing the stem or Digital Crown on your AirPods or AirPods Max. It’s worth noting here that (at least one of) your AirPods must be in your ears for this to work. If you just have them on your desk or in the palm of your hand, you won’t be able to control your camera with them.
Note that if you enable the setting, you won’t be able to use your AirPods to activate Siri or switch between listening modes when the Camera app on your phone is open. As Apple explains in the Settings app: “When using AirPods for camera actions, if you select Press once, media control gestures will not be available, and if you select Press and hold, listening mode and Siri gestures will not be available.”
