AirPods got new iPhone camera feature in iOS 26, here’s how to use it
iOS 26 adds a Camera Remote option for supported AirPods, letting users trigger iPhone photos and video from the stem or Crown.
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Apple added a new AirPods Camera Remote feature in iOS 26 that can control the iPhone Camera app without touching the phone. It is disabled by default, configurable in AirPods settings, and limited to newer AirPods models.
iOS 26 lets some AirPods work like a tiny camera button for the iPhone. Instead of tapping the phone, a person can press the AirPods stem or Crown, like using a remote control for a TV.
Analysis
What changed
9to5Mac says iOS 26 adds a new Camera Remote option in AirPods settings. The feature lets supported AirPods control the iPhone Camera app, giving users another way to capture photos and videos without reaching for the phone.
How it works
The setup lives in the Settings app under the AirPods section, inside a Camera Control area. From there, users can choose between Press Once and Press and Hold for the gesture they want to assign. Once enabled, the AirPods stem or, on AirPods Max, the Digital Crown can trigger camera actions while the Camera app is open.
Apple’s description in Settings says the feature can capture a photo and start or stop recording. The article explains that the gesture choice matters because the camera command replaces the normal behavior of that button while the Camera app is active. If Press Once is selected, media control gestures are not available; if Press and Hold is selected, listening mode and Siri gestures are not available.
Supported models
The feature is not universal. According to the article, Camera Remote is limited to AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2.
The basic appeal is straightforward: it gives AirPods a new practical role in iOS 26, especially for taking photos or recording video when the iPhone is out of reach or mounted somewhere else.
Key points
- iOS 26 adds a new Camera Remote option for AirPods.
- Users can set the gesture to Press Once or Press and Hold in AirPods settings.
- The feature can trigger photos and start or stop video recording in the iPhone Camera app.
- It is limited to AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2.
- Using the camera shortcut changes what those AirPods gestures do while the Camera app is open.
If the feature works smoothly, it makes taking selfies, group shots, and hands-free videos easier. It also gives newer AirPods another everyday use beyond listening to music or answering calls.
The feature only works on a limited set of newer AirPods models, so many users will not get it. It also swaps out normal AirPods gestures while the Camera app is active, which could make the controls less convenient for some people.
