The iPhone 16’s Camera Control button transforms how users capture photos and videos on their devices. The dedicated physical button supports multiple third-party apps including Snapchat, TikTok, and VSCO, expanding its functionality beyond Apple’s native Camera app.
This new hardware feature lets users adjust exposure, depth, and zoom with simple press and swipe gestures. The integration extends to popular social media and photo editing apps, making content creation more streamlined and accessible.
Apple plans to enhance the Camera Control button’s capabilities with Visual Intelligence in iOS 18.2. This update will enable users to point their cameras at objects to learn about them and quickly add data to compatible apps.
Apps That Support The Camera Control Button
Camera Control Buttons make photography easier, whether you’re taking casual selfies or doing professional video shoots. You can use a Bluetooth remote, smartwatch, or gimbal for hands-free shooting. Choose an app that fits your needs and budget! The Camera Control Button allows you to capture photos and videos without touching your phone. This is helpful for group photos or when shooting on your own. A remote shutter button can really change the game. However, not all camera apps work with remote controls. Some apps support all features, while others limit access unless you pay for a subscription or an in-app purchase.
We’ve gathered a comprehensive list of camera apps that support camera control buttons, along with tips on what you can do with them!
Understanding the Icons
Before diving in, here’s a quick guide to the symbols you might see:
- (*) Subscription required for Camera Control features
- (#) Subscription-based apps with free trials
- (!) Restrictions on use without subscription or purchase
- (^) Advanced features available via in-app purchase (non-Camera Control)
Top Apps That Support Camera Control Buttons
📸 Default Camera Apps (iOS & Android)
- Price: Preinstalled
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Capture photos, start/stop video, adjust zoom, exposure, lens selection, and photo styles.
- These are typically the most reliable apps for remote shutters and camera controls because they’re designed to integrate with system-level features.
🎥 Blackmagic Camera
- Price: Free
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Start/stop recording, zoom control, exposure bias, ISO, LUT selection, manual focus, zebra, and focus peaking.
- A powerful tool for filmmakers that plays nicely with remote controls.
🎬 Final Cut Camera
- Price: Free
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Start and stop recording with ease.
- Ideal for Apple ecosystem users who edit in Final Cut Pro.
📷 ProCamera (Professional Camera App)
- Price: $24.99^
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Capture photos, adjust EV (exposure compensation), zoom, and select camera lenses.
- Excellent for those wanting advanced manual controls and remote shooting options.
📱 Pro Camera by Moment
- Price: $8.99^
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Capture photos, adjust shutter speed, ISO, EV, focus, zoom, and white balance.
- A go-to for creators using Moment lenses and gear, plus solid remote functionality.
🎞 FiLMiC Pro
- Price: Subscription*#
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Start/stop recording, focus, and exposure adjustment with compatible remotes and gimbals.
- Professional-grade video controls for filmmakers.
🔎 Halide Mark II – Pro Camera
- Price: Free*#
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Capture photos, lock focus, and adjust exposure values.
- Known for its manual control and RAW support, Halide is a favorite for serious photographers.
📸 Obscura – Pro Camera
- Price: Free^
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Capture photos, adjust exposure, zoom, filters*, focus, and format.
- Offers a clean interface with manual controls and remote compatibility.
🖼 Detail: Camera & Video Editor
- Price: Free^
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Start/stop recording and adjust lens, layout, and shape.
- Good for quick, stylized content creation.
- Price: Free
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Launch the camera, capture photos or start video recording (Stories & Reels).
- Limited functionality but works for quick content creation.
🎥 TikTok
- Price: Free
- Support: ✅ Start/Stop Recording
- Features: Record hands-free videos, useful for solo creators and influencers.
📷 Snapchat
- Price: Free
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Launch the camera, capture photos, and start/stop video.
- Compatible with most Bluetooth camera remotes.
🎞 OldRoll – Vintage Film Camera
- Price: Free#!^
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Capture photos, start/stop recording, and adjust lens, zoom, and EV (exposure value).
- Fun for vintage-styled content creators.
🔍 Magnifier (Preinstalled on iOS)
- Price: Free
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Capture photos, zoom, adjust contrast and brightness, and apply filters.
- Not your traditional camera app, but great for detailed shots.
🎥 Protake – Mobile Cinema Camera
- Price: Free^
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Start/stop recording, adjust zoom and exposure.
- Designed for mobile cinematography.
📸 Leica LUX | Pro Photo Capture
- Price: Free^
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Capture photos with manual controls.
- Leica’s premium app with compatibility for remote shutters.
🎥 REC – Pro Video Camera
- Price: Free*#
- Support: ✅ Full Support
- Features: Start/stop recording with remote controls.
- A simple yet effective app for video capture.
🎞 Super 16 | 16mm Film Camera
- Price: Free^
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Capture photos, start/stop recording.
- Emulates the classic 16mm film aesthetic.
📸 Photon Camera
- Price: Free*#
- Support: ✅ Partial Support
- Features: Adjust focus, exposure (shutter speed and ISO), white balance (temperature/tint).
- Remote support for manual controls.
Honorable Mentions
- Hydra 2 › AI Camera: RAW + HDR (Free^)
- M=Camera (Free#^)
- OK Video – Clips Camera (Free^)
- Zerocam | Anti-AI Camera (Free!)
- SpatialCamera ($3.99)
- Slow Shutter Cam ($2.99)
- These apps offer varying degrees of remote control and advanced camera features, with some focusing on privacy, slow shutter, or spatial capture.
How Camera Control Buttons Work
Most Bluetooth remote shutters simulate the volume button press, which is often programmed to trigger the shutter in compatible apps. Some apps (like ProCamera, Moment, FiLMiC Pro) offer deeper integration with advanced camera accessories like gimbals, allowing for complete control over focus, zoom, and exposure.
Pro Tip:
- Pair your remote in Bluetooth settings before launching your app.
- Use a tripod for maximum stability when using remote controls.
- Check app settings to enable remote features or customize actions.
How To Customize The Camera Control Button
On iPhone 16, the Camera Control button can be customized to launch various apps, including the Camera app, Code Scanner, Magnifier, or even third-party camera apps, according to AppleInsider.
Here’s a breakdown of how to customize the Camera Control button:
- Access the Settings: Go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control.
- Choose Your App: Select the desired app from the list, which includes the built-in options (Camera, Code Scanner, Magnifier) and supported third-party apps.
- Supported Apps: Some supported apps include Halide, ProCamera, Obscura, Moment Pro Camera, and Instagram.
- Customize for Single or Double Click: You can choose whether to launch the app with a single click or a double click.
- Access Visual Intelligence (Coming Soon) :The Camera Control will allow iPhone users to use Visual Intelligence, a point-and-search feature, by pressing and holding the button.
- Adjust Camera Settings:With the Camera Control, you can adjust settings like exposure, depth, and zoom.
Key Takeaways
- The Camera Control button works with multiple third-party apps beyond the native Camera app
- Users can adjust camera settings through press and swipe gestures
- New Visual Intelligence features will expand the button’s capabilities in iOS 18.2
Understanding Camera Control Button Apps
The Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models enables quick access to camera functions and supports integration with third-party apps for enhanced photography capabilities.
Overview of Camera Control
The Camera Control button sits on the side of iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. It provides instant camera access without navigating through menus.
Users can adjust exposure, depth, and zoom through press and swipe gestures. The button responds to different pressure levels for various functions.
A light press opens the camera app, while a firmer press captures photos or starts video recording.
Integrating with Power Apps
Power Apps developers can add camera functionality to their canvas apps using the Camera Control component. The component connects to device cameras through built-in properties.
Key features include:
- OnSelect property for custom capture actions
- Stream property for live preview
- Image control for displaying captured photos
- Collect and Patch functions for data storage
Optimizing Camera Functionality
The button supports multiple photography settings for precise image capture:
- Exposure adjustment
- Depth control
- Focus lock
- Zoom level modification
- Brightness settings
- Contrast fine-tuning
These controls work with both the native Camera app and compatible third-party applications.
Third-Party Camera Apps
Several popular camera apps support the Camera Control button:
- Halide: Advanced manual controls
- ProCamera: Professional photography tools
- VSCO: Creative editing features
- Snapchat: Social media integration
- Instagram: Direct story and post creation
User Accessibility and Experience
The Camera Control button improves photo capture speed and convenience. Users can customize button sensitivity in accessibility settings.
Quick actions include:
- Single press for app launch
- Double press for specific modes
- Press and hold for video recording
- Swipe gestures for parameter adjustments
The button placement allows for comfortable one-handed operation while maintaining a secure grip on the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Camera button controls and settings vary across devices and operating systems, with extensive customization options available through both native settings and third-party applications.
How can I customize the camera button functions on my smartphone?
Users can customize the iPhone 16’s Camera Control button through Settings > Camera > Camera Control. This menu offers options to set the button to open Camera, Code Scanner, Magnifier, or disable the function completely.
The button supports various gestures including press, swipe, and long-press actions for different photography functions.
What are the best camera button control apps available for iOS devices?
Apple’s native Camera app provides full integration with the Camera Control button, enabling quick photo capture and settings adjustment.
Instagram supports the camera control button for creating Stories and posts directly.
Additional photography apps continue to add support for the button’s functionality.
Which Android applications allow alteration of camera button settings?
Different Android manufacturers offer varying levels of camera button customization through their system settings.
Many Android camera apps provide custom button mapping features.
Can third-party apps be granted access to my device’s camera controls?
Third-party apps must request camera permissions to access hardware controls.
iOS 17 and newer versions allow selected third-party camera apps to utilize the Camera Control button.
How to identify active apps with camera permissions on my phone?
Device settings provide a list of apps with active camera permissions.
Users can review and revoke camera access through their phone’s privacy settings.
Are there ways to remap the hardware camera button for different actions?
The Camera Control button supports multiple gesture controls including quick press for photos and long press for different functions.
System settings allow users to change the default camera launch app.
Some third-party apps enable custom mapping of the hardware button to specific photography features.
