iOS 26 Camera App: New Features and Design Changes

[MacRumors]

The Camera app received some of the most noticeable design updates in iOS 26, with Apple simplifying the interface to make it easier to get to various controls. Most of what's new focuses on design, but there are a couple other notable changes.

Liquid Glass Design

Like all of the iOS 26 apps, the Camera app has adopted the Liquid Glass look. Buttons are more rounded and "float" over the background of the app thanks to a new depth effect.

The area behind the camera shutter and control buttons is a touch more see-through than before, so you can see the areas outside of your image more clearly. There's also no bar behind the toggles to change focal length, so the interface looks a bit cleaner.

Two-Tab Layout

The navigation bar at the bottom of the Camera app has been overhauled in iOS 26. Rather than the option to swipe between all of the photo and video modes, there are now just two main options that you see: Photo and Video.

While it's only the Photo and Video buttons that are visible, you can actually still swipe in the same way to get to the other options like Portrait, Panorama, Slo-Mo, Cinematic, and more.

For multi-lens cameras, the small buttons to change focal length are still in the same position, and the buttons to view the photo you just snapped or change to the front camera haven't changed location. The button to view photos is now round instead of square, in line with the Liquid Glass update, and Apple has shifted the controls down on the display.

The Photo and Video buttons are below the shutter button, when they used to be above. The shutter button itself no longer has a bright white ring around it, with Apple instead opting for a more subtle Liquid Glass ring. Bezel size for the top and bottom bars hasn't changed.

Pop Out Menus

Some of the controls that used to be located at the top of the Camera app are now tucked inside pop out menus. When you select a mode like Photo, you can then tap on the Photo button to get more options.

The menu has a Liquid Glass design and it offers large buttons for accessing Flash, Live Photo settings, Timer, Exposure, Styles, Aspect, and Night Mode. Tapping one gives you further options for that setting. So if you tap Exposure, you'll get a slider where you can quickly adjust the exposure setting before you take a photo.

In Video mode, you can tap to access Flash, Exposure, and Action. Most of the other modes also have at least one option that's accessed through this new menu. These menu options are also accessible by tapping on the menu icon at the top right of the display.

There are still some quick access buttons at the top of the Photos app, so you can swap to RAW mode, tap into Styles, or adjust flash and Night Mode settings without having to open the menu. Context-specific settings like the Macro mode toggle also still pop up in the same way as before when applicable.

There are toggles to see the Flash, Live Photo and Action Mode indicators in the Camera section of the Settings app.

Remote AirPods Shutter

The AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 can be used as a camera shutter in iOS 26, so you can take a photo by pressing on the stem of the AirPods. To get this to work, connect your AirPods to your iPhone, open the Camera app, and then press and hold on the AirPods stem.

You can take a photo using this method, or continue to hold to start a video. When you're finished recording, press and hold again to stop the video.

Using this feature requires iOS 26 and the new AirPods firmware that accompanies iOS 26. Using the AirPods as a remote shutter button works with the Camera app and with third-party photo apps.

Cleaning Warning

If your camera lens is dirty, your iPhone can detect that it needs to be cleaned and will send you a notification letting you know you should clean it.

Developer APIs

Developers have access to a new Cinematic mode API in iOS 26 that allows third-party apps to capture Cinematic mode video, just like the built-in Camera app.

Cinematic mode supports recording video with a shallow depth of field and automatic focus changes between subjects. Apple uses rack focus to quickly swap the focus from one subject to another, for a movie-like recording experience.

Apple is also providing developers with an Audio Mix API for adjusting sound after a video is captured. Third-party video recording apps can offer the same Audio Mix controls that are available in the Camera app. Options include In-Frame for reducing sounds and voices from sources outside of the frame, Studio for reducing background sounds and reverb, and Cinematic for putting voices into a front-facing track while leaving environmental noises in surround, similar to movie audio.

Mac Accessibility

With macOS 26 and iOS 26, your Mac can connect to your iPhone to use your iPhone's Camera app as a magnifying glass. A Magnifier on Mac feature uses the iPhone's zoom capabilities, with the iPhone's video feed showing up on a connected Mac through Continuity Camera.

Apple showed a student with vision issues using an iPhone to zoom in on a blackboard in a college class, with the feed coming through to her Mac so she could view what was going on while also taking notes.

Read More

We have a complete iOS 26 roundup that covers all of the new features that are available in the update.

Article Link: iOS 26 Camera App: New Features and Design Changes

 

[Zc456]

With macOS 26 and iOS 26, your Mac can connect to your iPhone to use your iPhone's Camera app as a magnifying glass.

That's just the coolest random feature ever. xD

 

[jz0309]

The Camera app received some of the most noticeable design updates in iOS 26, with Apple simplifying the interface to make it easier to get to various controls. Most of what's new focuses on design, but there are a couple other notable changes.

Liquid Glass Design

Like all of the iOS 26 apps, the Camera app has adopted the Liquid Glass look. Buttons are more rounded and "float" over the background of the app thanks to a new depth effect.

The area behind the camera shutter and control buttons is a touch more see-through than before, so you can see the areas outside of your image more clearly. There's also no bar behind the toggles to change focal length, so the interface looks a bit cleaner.

Two-Tab Layout

The navigation bar at the bottom of the Camera app has been overhauled in iOS 26. Rather than the option to swipe between all of the photo and video modes, there are now just two main options that you see: Photo and Video.

While it's only the Photo and Video buttons that are visible, you can actually still swipe in the same way to get to the other options like Portrait, Panorama, Slo-Mo, Cinematic, and more.

For multi-lens cameras, the small buttons to change focal length are still in the same position, and the buttons to view the photo you just snapped or change to the front camera haven't changed location. The button to view photos is now round instead of square, in line with the Liquid Glass update, and Apple has shifted the controls down on the display.

The Photo and Video buttons are below the shutter button, when they used to be above. The shutter button itself no longer has a bright white ring around it, with Apple instead opting for a more subtle Liquid Glass ring. Bezel size for the top and bottom bars hasn't changed.

Pop Out Menus

Some of the controls that used to be located at the top of the Camera app are now tucked inside pop out menus. When you select a mode like Photo, you can then tap on the Photo button to get more options.

The menu has a Liquid Glass design and it offers large buttons for accessing Flash, Live Photo settings, Timer, Exposure, Styles, Aspect, and Night Mode. Tapping one gives you further options for that setting. So if you tap Exposure, you'll get a slider where you can quickly adjust the exposure setting before you take a photo.

In Video mode, you can tap to access Flash, Exposure, and Action. Most of the other modes also have at least one option that's accessed through this new menu. These menu options are also accessible by tapping on the menu icon at the top right of the display.

There are still some quick access buttons at the top of the Photos app, so you can swap to RAW mode, tap into Styles, or adjust flash and Night Mode settings without having to open the menu. Context-specific settings like the Macro mode toggle also still pop up in the same way as before when applicable.

There are toggles to see the Flash, Live Photo and Action Mode indicators in the Camera section of the Settings app.

Remote AirPods Shutter

The AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 can be used as a camera shutter in iOS 26, so you can take a photo by pressing on the stem of the AirPods. To get this to work, connect your AirPods to your iPhone, open the Camera app, and then press and hold on the AirPods stem.

You can take a photo using this method, or continue to hold to start a video. When you're finished recording, press and hold again to stop the video.

Using this feature requires iOS 26 and the new AirPods firmware that accompanies iOS 26. Using the AirPods as a remote shutter button works with the Camera app and with third-party photo apps.

Cleaning Warning

If your camera lens is dirty, your iPhone can detect that it needs to be cleaned and will send you a notification letting you know you should clean it.

Developer APIs

Developers have access to a new Cinematic mode API in iOS 26 that allows third-party apps to capture Cinematic mode video, just like the built-in Camera app.

Cinematic mode supports recording video with a shallow depth of field and automatic focus changes between subjects. Apple uses rack focus to quickly swap the focus from one subject to another, for a movie-like recording experience.

Apple is also providing developers with an Audio Mix API for adjusting sound after a video is captured. Third-party video recording apps can offer the same Audio Mix controls that are available in the Camera app. Options include In-Frame for reducing sounds and voices from sources outside of the frame, Studio for reducing background sounds and reverb, and Cinematic for putting voices into a front-facing track while leaving environmental noises in surround, similar to movie audio.

Mac Accessibility

With macOS 26 and iOS 26, your Mac can connect to your iPhone to use your iPhone's Camera app as a magnifying glass. A Magnifier on Mac feature uses the iPhone's zoom capabilities, with the iPhone's video feed showing up on a connected Mac through Continuity Camera.

Apple showed a student with vision issues using an iPhone to zoom in on a blackboard in a college class, with the feed coming through to her Mac so she could view what was going on while also taking notes.

Read More

We have a complete iOS 26 roundup that covers all of the new features that are available in the update.

Article Link: iOS 26 Camera App: New Features and Design Changes

Thanks for the summary. Looks quite interesting.

 

[augustrushrox]

Thanks for the roundup! I hate this redesign.

It hides too many frequently used options. The Photo/Video switching to other options is too finicky and it's easy to pass over what you wanted to select, and finding the pop-out menu is not intuitive whatsoever.

Add to it that overlaying UI on top of content is something I fundamentally disagree with. I do not want my content to be obstructed, it proactively reduces usability.

 

[Paddle1]

Thanks for the roundup! I hate this redesign.

It hides too many frequently used options. The Photo/Video switching to other options is too finicky and it's easy to pass over what you wanted to select, and finding the pop-out menu is not intuitive whatsoever.

Add to it that overlaying UI on top of content is something I fundamentally disagree with. I do not want my content to be obstructed, it proactively reduces usability.

Perhaps the idea is for you to use the Camera Control to easily switch between various options.

 

[klasma]

This is very low contrast. They should at least make the round buttons opaque. But the labels also need more contrast, they are below WCAG AA level in that screenshot.

 

[Chaos215bar2]

So, they're putting the UI on top of the viewfinder again, making it impossible to properly frame a photo?

 

[antiprotest]

Apple used to be good at design. It was one of several major reasons why I switched from Android to iPhone 3GS, and then from Windows to Mac soon after. Everything was well thought out and looked good, while products from others felt like they were made by people who never used them.

In recent years, I have been getting this same bad feeling from Apple that made me leave the others. They used to think of details that I never thought of, but that pleasantly surprised me once I found out how useful they were, but these years they have missed even obvious, glaring things, and they create pain points rather than solve or remove them.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Someone explain why Remote AirPods Shutter is exclusive to AirPods 4 and pro 2... like AirPods Max could have this they are way more expensive and even EARPODS have this bruh come on Apple.

 

[Ameer_1]

Wow so innovative

 

[bcortens]

These controls take up so much more space than the current design. Currently I can see my photo framed in the centre of the screen and then at the bottom I can swipe up and adjust exposure, contrast, timer, all without obstructing my viewfinder. Why would anyone be excited about this new design. I mean sure if you just open the camera to look at the controls it might be nicer but it doesn’t look like it makes taking pictures easier. Which I rather thought was the point of a camera…

 

[citysnaps]

Looks great! Having made a ton of photographs with my phone I'm looking forward to giving the new camera app a whirl.

 

[Slix]

This redesign seems super cumbersome from all the screenshots I've seen so far. Maybe it'll be different in actual use but I hope it's not confusing for everyone because that seems counterintuitive here.

 

[ThomasJL]

Apple, please rehire the Steve Jobs-like visionary Scott Forstall so he can completely purge every last bit of user-unfriendly flat design (including flat design variants like neumorphism and glassmorphism) and bring back user-friendly iOS 6-style skeuomorphism.

 

[Octavius8]

So poor changes... just cosmetic. Please go and check other makers, the camera interface and features are so far ahead of Apple that every year is hard to justify the decision to keep buying an iPhone.
How about dual camera?, even medium range androids can do it, surely an iPhone can, but Apple won't bring it unless you buy a 17.

 

[svish]

Don't mind the changes to the user interface. Looking forward to trying it out once I update my iPhone.

 

[applefan8254]

Regarding iPhone camera capabilities, can we get an upgraded magsafe?

Xiaomi should donate laser link to the wireless power consortium like apple donated magsafe for qi2 and incorporate laser link into the next version of qi2/qi3. This would allow for devices like this to forgo cables and transfer high speed data directly into devices. Pogo pins could enable more than just high speed data.

They could also enable cool thermal free 100 watt wireless magsafe battery packs. If you're at zero battery but you wanna walk in the park, gym, or city, you could snap on a 100 watt magsafe battery pack and go. No waiting by your wall charger. Zero to 80 percent in 10 minutes. Take a few with you and never need to be near a wall the whole weekend.

And to people that ask - what about cases? Cases can integrate the pogo pins and allow the data/power to be transfered via a ribbon inside the case directly up into the phones USBC port .

examples -

 

[saberone]

What I’m missing is information on Carplay changes in iOS 26. And more specific the integrations with cars. For example, my Kia EV9 has Carplay (duh) but the apps do not have access to the SoC (State of Charge) information. So for once the same app (Abrp) has more features on Android Auto than on Carplay.

 

[Parowdy]

and Apple has shifted the controls down on the display.

Not true. I’ve noticed that I can not start or stop a recording with muscle memory, the location of the Record button was changed to be higher on/in the picture.
One of the most annoying changes so far for me.

 

[TechRunner]

A middle-of-the-road update for me. Won't drastically change how I shoot photos with my phone.

 

[adrianlondon]

I quite like it.

I particularly like the fact I can call up the options by pressing the photo or video button without having to mess around reaching for the top of the screen.

All the options seem easier to understand and operate on my iPhone 11.

But then I liked the change to the Photos app on iOS 18, so what do I know 😁

 

[Vistaus]

Perhaps the idea is for you to use the Camera Control to easily switch between various options.

What if you're on an iPhone 14 or 15, though? Isn't Camera Control only available on the 16?

 

[Paddle1]

What if you're on an iPhone 14 or 15, though? Isn't Camera Control only available on the 16?

It was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment. I personally don't find the Camera Control to be that easy or intuitive to use.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Someone explain why Remote AirPods Shutter is exclusive to AirPods 4 and pro 2... like AirPods Max could have this they are way more expensive and even EARPODS have this bruh come on Apple.

Is this for when you and your iPhone are separated to take a picture, like how the Apple Watch can be a remote shutter for, say, a group shot?

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

It was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment. I personally don't find the Camera Control to be that easy or intuitive to use.

Same here. Push. Short push. Long push. Hard push. Long push and keep finger on it and move it back and forth, but slowly. The myriad of finger gymnastics needed to operate it makes my brain just say it's not worth it.