Control iPhone Camera with Your Apple Watch

Did you know you can take pictures from your iPhone using your Apple Watch? Well, you do now. You can take as many pictures as you want from your wrist without ever touching your iPhone.

Here’s how to use the Camera Remote function on your Apple Watch.

How to Use the Camera Remote App on Your Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch comes with a Camera Remote app that lets you take pictures on your iPhone remotely. You can also use it to change different camera settings and view the pictures you just took. Follow these steps to start using it:

1. Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch.
2. Find and tap the Camera Remote icon on the Home Screen.
3. Wait until the Camera Remote app connects with your iPhone.
4. Your iPhone will automatically open the Camera app, and it’ll be ready to take a picture.
5. To take a picture, tap the shutter button located at the bottom of your Apple Watch.

Tip: Before taking a picture, you can tap anywhere on your Watch’s display. That will adjust the exposure and focus automatically so that you can take better pictures based on the light.

How to View the Photos You Take With Your Apple Watch

After you take a picture with your Apple Watch, you can preview your shot right from the Camera Remote app. Keep in mind that the pictures will disappear from the Camera Remote app as soon as you exit it.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the Camera Remote app.
2. Take a picture by tapping the shutter button on your Apple Watch.
3. Tap the preview in the bottom-left corner of your Apple Watch.

All the pictures you take while using the app will be available. It’s just a preview, though, so you won’t be able to edit them or even delete them. You’ll need to switch to your iPhone if you want to do that.

How to Disable the Camera Timer on Apple Watch

By default, the Camera Remote app has a three-second timer. This is pretty useful when you want to take the perfect shot of yourself, but it can also be pretty annoying if you want to snap a quick picture. Fortunately, you can turn it off like this:

1. Open the Camera Remote App.
2. Tap the options button in the bottom-right corner.
3. Disable the 3 sec option.
4. Tap Done in the top right corner.

Now you can take pictures instantly. You can repeat the same steps to turn the timer back on.

How to Switch Between the Front and Back Camera From your Apple Watch

As you might expect, you can also switch between the back and the front-facing camera with just a few taps. Just do this:

1. Open the Camera Remote app.
2. Tap the options button in the bottom-right corner of your Apple Watch.
3. Scroll down and select Front or Rear to switch between cameras.
4. Tap Done in the top-right corner of your screen.

How to Change Other Camera Settings from your Apple Watch

The Camera Remote app also lets you change a few other settings from your Watch. It’s a bit limited, but it’s still helpful. Here where to find all the options:

1. Open the Camera Remote app.
2. Select the options button in the bottom-right corner.
3. Change whatever camera settings you want.
4. When you’ve finished, tap Done in the top-right corner.

The Camera Remote app will only let you change the flash, Live Photo, and HDR settings from your Apple Watch. If you want to change anything else, you’ll have to use your iPhone.