In the 2025 September iOS 26 update, Apple added a built-in Camera Remote feature to certain AirPods models. This feature allows users to connect their AirPods wirelessly to an iPhone and use it to control camera shutter or record action. In many ways, this feature can be used when Apple Watch is not available for accessing the dedicated Camera Remote app.
However, the “Camera Remote” feature can only work on AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2 for now. Once any of these devices is connected to an iPhone, you can just press the stem, and the AirPods send a Bluetooth command to the iPhone, and iOS interprets that command as a camera shutter or record action. Also, an iPhone running the latest version of iOS (26.5.1) is essential.
Instead of placing your iPhone on a surface, setting a 10-second timer and running back to take a selfie, you can just click your AirPods to trigger the camera whenever you are ready. All you just need to do is opening the Camera app, set the camera short countdown, and frame your shot. When you press the AirPods stem using the gesture you selected, the countdown will begin and you are ready to pose and take a shot.
If this explanation sounds pretty good, here's how to configure your AirPods for camera controls (both picture taking and video recording).
How to Configure Camera Remote
By default, Camera Remote is turned off. You will need to enable the feature on your iPhone to start using the AirPods for camera controls. It's also important to pair your AirPods with your iPhone before you begin this process. If your devices are not paired, camera controls will not work even if your enables it.
Follow these steps to turn on the camera controls on your iPhone: Settings >> AirPods >> Camera Remote >> Press Once (tap the stem once), or Press and Hold (hold the stem). Meanwhile, if the AirPods name don't appear under the settings, then you'll need to open the case. To choose either Press Once or Press and Hold, you will need to tap the Camera Remote field.
However, it's important to note that the AirPods aren't controlling the camera directly. When you press the stem, the AirPods send a Bluetooth command to the iPhone, and iOS interprets that command as a camera shutter or record action. Apple integrated this behavior into the operating system, similar to how the Apple Watch Camera Remote works.
Another thing you should know is that when using AirPods for camera actions, if you select Press Once, media control gestures will be unavailable, and if you select Press and Hold, listening mode and Siri gestures will be unavailable. But the good use cases are taking group photos without touching the phone, recording yourself from a distance, reducing camera shake when the iPhone is on a tripod, and creating YouTube videos, tutorials, and vlogs.
