Whether you’re taking a group photo or just want some time to get your shot framed and ready, you can use the iPhone camera’s built-in self-timer feature.
To turn it on, open the camera app and tap the arrow at the top of your screen. Choose a 3 or 10 second delay option, then tap the shutter button.
Open the Camera App
Have you ever wanted to take a picture of a group of people, an object, or just yourself in a particular moment? Whether you’re trying to capture a beautiful landscape or get a perfect shot of yourself, it can be difficult to find a good spot and time to shoot your photo.
For these moments, we recommend using the camera timer feature to give yourself more time to get ready and click that perfect picture. It’s a handy tool that Apple has hidden away in the iPhone camera app, and it allows you to set a 3- or 10-second delay before taking a photo.
To turn on the timer, open the Camera app, then tap the small arrow at the top of your screen to see the timer icon. Choose one of the options (either 3s or 10s) and then tap the Shutter button to start the countdown. When the timer is up, the iPhone will take a photo.
If you need to shoot a video, you can also use the timer to shoot a short film or a time-lapse of a moving subject. However, the timer function isn’t as powerful as it used to be, and there’s a lot of extra functionality that you may not know about.
In addition to the timer, there are several other ways you can open the camera app on your iPhone, including from the Lock Screen, by swiping right, or by opening the Camera icon in the Dock. These four methods will help you quickly access the camera app, so you can get that perfect shot when it’s needed most.
- Swipe from the Home Screen
On most phones, it’s the fastest way to open the Camera app, especially if you’re on your home screen and haven’t unlocked your phone yet. You’ll be able to tap the thumbnail to view your photos after you’ve taken them, so it’s great for quick access when you need to capture a special moment. - Open the Camera App from the Control Center
If you’re in need of faster access to the Camera app, the easiest way is to add it to the Control Center. This can be done by tapping and holding the Camera app icon until it starts to jiggle, then dragging it into the dock at the bottom of your screen. When you’re finished, you can remove the Camera app from the dock by swiping it away or by tapping Done at the top-right corner of your screen. - Tap the Shutter Button
There are lots of ways to remotely trigger the shutter button on your iPhone. But if you just need to give yourself a bit of time to get the perfect shot, it’s easy to use the built-in camera timer.
The built-in timer is available on iPhone XS, XR, and earlier models. To turn it on, launch the Camera app and tap the up-arrow icon. Then, select a 3-second or 10-second timer and tap the Shutter button to start the countdown.
Using the iPhone camera timer can be helpful when you’re shooting in low light or want to include yourself in a group photo. You can also use it to prevent your phone from shaking when you’re taking a photo on a tripod.
But before you can set up the timer, you have to make sure that your iPhone is stable and steady. You can do this by mounting it on a tripod or leaning it against something.
If you’re using an older iPhone, you may have trouble with the self-timer. Apple changed the way the shutter button works on these models, and that can cause confusion. Tapping the shutter button once still takes a single still photo, but pressing it repeatedly takes a video instead.
So to use the iPhone’s timer, first open the Camera app and position your phone where you want to take a picture. Then, tap the down arrow in the top center of your screen. Next, tap the clock icon and choose a timer.
Once you select a timer, the Camera app will show you a countdown in the corner of the screen along with brief flashes. You can adjust the timer as you like, but it’s best to choose a number that will give you enough time to get into the scene or stabilize your iPhone so it doesn’t shake.
You can even use your voice to activate the timer. To enable it, go to Settings > Accessibility and then Voice Control.
Tap the Timer Icon
If you’re looking to get a group shot or a picture of your pet, you can use your iPhone camera’s timer function. This is a great way to avoid the common problem of handshake blur and motion in the photo, especially when you’re taking close-ups.
If your iPhone is equipped with iOS 8 or later, you can find the self-timer feature by opening the camera app and tapping on the clock icon at the top of the screen. Choose between three seconds or ten seconds to set the timer, then frame your shot and tap the shutter button when you’re ready to take the photo.
The timer is a great addition to any camera, but it’s especially useful for selfies and other close-up photos. It takes a few minutes to set up, but you’ll be pleased with the result once it’s completed.
In fact, the timer can be used for most situations where you want to capture a photo. You can also use the timer to help you stabilize your iPhone, which can be important for photos taken in low light conditions or during sports.
You can even use the timer to capture a burst of pictures, especially if you have Live Mode on. In this case, the photos will be arranged in a row and you can select which ones to keep.
This can be a great way to get more creative with your photos and try new things! However, it’s important to note that the timer only works in Photo and Portrait modes.
You can also turn on the timer in the Control Center, if you’re a fan of shortcuts and Automations. The Control Center has a timer icon and you can create a shortcut that will launch the clock app when you tap it.
Choose the Photo Delay
Using the camera timer feature on your iPhone allows you to delay the actual snapping of the photo. This helps you avoid blurry images due to shaking, and also gives you the chance to take high-quality shots when taking photos in low light.
The timer is available in the Camera app, and you can choose between a 3-second or 10-second delay before the photo is taken. This is especially helpful for group photos where it can be difficult to get everyone in the frame at once, as well as for long-exposure photography of moving subjects like light trails or waterfalls.
Another reason for setting the timer is that it will let you capture a series of photos that can then be compiled into a single video. This can be a great way to create dreamy, motion-blurred videos.
However, the video can only be up to 40 seconds in length, and is usually choppy and unfocused. If you’re looking for a more cinematic-quality result, there are plenty of third-party apps that allow you to create the sort of dreamy time-lapse videos you see in movies.
This feature is also useful for a number of occasions, such as for group selfies when you don’t want to use the rear camera and can’t mount your phone on a tripod. The longer timer options are ideal for this kind of situation, as they give you more time to setup and run back into position.
Moreover, the timer will also help you keep your focus steady before you shoot the picture. This is especially important if you’re using the iPhone’s wide-angle camera, or if you’re taking a photo with the Portrait mode on your phone.
Finally, you can also use the timer to help you take sharper photos of yourself with your rear camera in low-light situations. This is particularly useful if you’re shooting selfies, as it will prevent the background from being too dark or distorted.