iOS 26’s Camera Control (on supported models) lets you quickly open your iPhone camera and access common camera settings.
To take a photo or video with Camera Control:
° Click the Camera Control to open Camera.
° Click again to take a photo, or click and hold to record a video. If your camera is set to Video mode when Camera opens, click to start recording.
You can select and adjust any of the following settings with the Camera Control:
- Exposure: Brighten or darken the scene by increasing or decreasing the exposure.
- Depth: Increase or decrease the background depth-of-field effect (this setting turns on Portrait mode if it wasn’t already selected).
- Zoom: Zoom in or out.
- Cameras: Switch between cameras, including the front-facing camera.
- Styles: Change the Photographic Style.
- Tone: Lighten or deepen the mood by increasing or decreasing the tone.
However, not all controls are available in all camera modes.
To select and adjust the Camera Control settings:
° Click the Camera Control to open Camera.
° Lightly press the Camera Control twice to open an overlay that shows the available settings for that camera mode.
° Slide your finger on the Camera Control to scroll through the settings choices, then lightly press to select the setting you want.
° Slide your finger on the Camera Control to adjust the setting. The setting is saved and appears the next time you lightly press the Camera Control.
° Click the Camera Control to take your shot.
You can use the Camera Control to lock the exposure and focus settings on a subject as you take photos and record video. Here’s how:
° Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
° Tap Camera, tap Camera Control, then turn on Lock Focus and Exposure. After you complete steps 1 and 2, you don’t need to repeat them.
° Click the Camera Control to open Camera.
° Lightly press and hold the Camera Control until you see AE/AF Lock above the frame.
° Keep your finger touching the Camera Control to maintain the AE/AF Lock. (If you release the Camera Control, the AE/AF Lock turns off.)
° Click the Camera Control to take photos or click and hold to record video.
° Release the Camera Control to turn off the AE/AF Lock.
You can change the number of clicks it takes to open Camera with the Camera Control from one click to two. Here’s how
° Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
° Tap Camera, tap Camera Control, then tap Single Click or Double Click.


