Your iPhone's Camera Control button has a slew of hidden features -- here's how to use them all

When the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro launched with a new Camera Control (Apple never calls it a ‘button’), I had high hopes for a proper shutter button with autofocus, like you’ll find on a real camera. Unfortunately, the Camera Control didn’t work the way I expected, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be an incredibly useful tool. I can show you how to make the most of it.

Today, you’ll find the Camera Control on every new iPhone model except the iPhone 16e. That includes the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. Sadly, most iPhone owners I know (who don’t spend their days like me, contemplating phone features) rarely use the Camera Control, or only press it by accident.

I’ve found many ways the Camera Control can be useful, but it can also be tricky. You have ...