Have you ever wanted to trigger your iPhone’s camera shutter without actually holding the phone? Whether you’re setting up a group shot, shooting from an unusual angle, or trying to get a cleaner selfie, it’s one of those things that seems simple but hasn’t always had a great solution. Selfie sticks with Bluetooth buttons have filled that gap for years, but starting in iOS 26, there’s a more elegant option built right in: your AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro can now act as a camera remote.
It works for both still photos and video, and setup is straightforward. While wearing your AirPods, head to Settings > AirPods > Camera Remote and turn the feature on. From there, you can choose whether the shutter triggers with a single press or a press and hold, depending on what feels more natural to you.
One thing worth knowing: whichever gesture you enable will replace the default action for that press. So if you rely on those controls for something else, like skipping tracks or activating Siri, it’s worth thinking about which option fits best into how you already use your AirPods. For most people it’s a minor tradeoff, and the convenience of a hands-free shutter more than makes up for it.
It’s a small feature, but the kind that’s genuinely useful once you know it’s there.

(Featured image by iStock.com/PeopleImages)