I’m really impressed with the new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16, though the default settings don’t quite fit my preferences. I find it somewhat slow to engage and prone to accidental activations while capturing images. Thankfully, Apple provides a decent level of customization for the Camera Control function, albeit with the settings somewhat dispersed across the Settings app.
Instant Camera Launch
I’ve previously owned iPhones that featured dedicated camera buttons. A while back, I utilized the iPhone 11 Pro Smart Battery Case that included a camera launcher. More recently, I leveraged the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro to quickly launch the camera and take pictures.
The iPhone 16 presents the most dedicated shutter button via Camera Control; however, its default functionality differs from my prior experiences. Camera Control first activates the display on the initial click, requiring a subsequent click to actually launch the Camera, followed by a third click to take a photo.
After the iPhone 16’s initial software update, Apple provided an option to change this behavior. Before that update, I continued utilizing the Action Button to directly launch the Camera, effectively saving a click.
The very first adjustment I made was in Settings > Display & Brightness > toggling off the Require Screen On option under CAMERA CONTROL. Instantly, it operates similarly to the Smart Battery Case and Action Button.
Streamline Camera Control
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with the Camera Control feature with the light-press input disabled. I’ve noticed that my finger is typically positioned on the Camera Control, ready to capture a photo. However, I too frequently end up activating a light-press and swiping inadvertently, losing the functionality of my camera. The option to disable light-press input is located in Settings > Camera > Camera Control > Accessibility, where you can find the toggle for Light-Press under CONTROLS GESTURE. Currently, I have Camera Control set with Swipe enabled and Light-Press disabled.
Nevertheless, I appreciate having the opportunity to lock focus and exposure similarly to a light-press. Based on the description in Settings, Lock Focus and Exposure can be activated by “lightly pressing and holding,” which allows for independent toggling of focus and exposure lock from the Light-Press gesture.
How Does This Work?
The outcome of these adjustments is that I can launch the Camera more swiftly and capture images without unnecessary delays. If my screen is off (but appears to be on), only a single press is required, as opposed to two clicks; similarly, when I’m in an app, I only need one.
By keeping the swipe gesture active, I still have access to the micro menu of camera control settings with a simple swipe over the Camera Control surface. A more extended swipe lets me adjust the currently active settings for the camera. I can also swipe down with my thumb on the micro menu to skim through other settings, such as zoom, depth, and exposure.
In practical terms, my primary desire is for a dedicated button to launch the Camera and snap photos. The additional camera controls, aside from focus and exposure lock, can feel overwhelming for me. I’m more inclined to interact directly with the expansive iPhone touchscreen as opposed to navigating a micro menu for camera adjustments. While I enjoy the convenience of one-handed operation, I often grip my iPhone in a landscape mode with both hands to stabilize my shot and achieve the right framing.
The more I engage with Camera Control, the more I contemplate disabling Lock Focus and Exposure altogether. Manually tapping and holding a specific area of the viewfinder feels far more deliberate and reduces accidental activations.
So, what is my takeaway regarding Camera Control? It’s even more remarkable! It effectively launches the Camera and allows for photo capture. Although the Action Button can perform the same function, it’s positioned at the opposite end of where one would typically expect a shutter button, particularly when holding the iPhone in landscape mode with the camera sensors facing up, not down.
If you wish to further simplify Camera Control, you could even disable the swipe functionality in the same Accessibility section as Light-Press. This would leave you with a truly simplified shutter button while still allowing you to manage your shooting settings just as you would on earlier iPhones.
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