Take a Picture or Video

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

• Access Camera
• Switch between front and rear camera
• Focus the camera
• Zoom in and out
• Take a photo
• Record a video
• Capture a still image while in video mode
• Use Live Text features
• Search for photos

To learn more about camera settings that are available such as Flash, Timer, Filters, and camera modes visit the Camera and Video Settings tutorial.

To learn more about new camera features that are available with iOS 13 or later, such as how to access the re-designed editing features, visit the Advanced Photo & Video Features tutorial.

Access Camera

From the home screen, select the  Camera app.

You can also access the Camera app from the Lock screen. From the lock screen, swipe left.

Note: When you open Camera from the Lock screen, you can view (and even edit) photos and videos by selecting the thumbnail at the lower-left corner of the screen. To share photos and videos, first unlock your iPhone.

Switch between front and rear camera

Select the  Switch Camera icon.

Note: You cannot switch the camera while you are recording a video.

Focus the camera

Touch the desired area of the photo you wish to focus on. A box will appear around the area selected.

Zoom in and out

Drag two fingers from the middle of the screen toward the outer edges of the screen to zoom in. Pinch two fingers from the outer edges of the screen to the middle of the screen to zoom out.

Take a photo

Select the Capture icon or press either Volume button.

Note: Live Photos is enabled by default. Live photos record what happens 1.5 seconds before and after you take a picture. To disable Live photos, from the Camera app, select the  Live Photos icon. To take a burst of photos, hold down the Capture icon or either Volume button. The camera will take a series of photos until you release your finger. To delete a picture, from the  Photos app select the desired photo then select the  Delete icon. Select Delete Photo to confirm. If you are you having trouble taking pictures or video on iPhone, click here.

Record a video

Swipe right to Video mode, then select the Record icon to start recording.



To stop a recording, select the Stop icon or press either Volume button.

Capture a still image while in video mode

While recording a video, select the Capture icon. 

Using Live Text features

With iOS 15, the camera can scan text to share, look up, translate and more. Aim the camera at the desired text, then select the text scan icon. Select the desired option then follow the prompt.

Search for photos

With iOS 15, Spotlight universal search can be used to search for photos. Swipe right from the home screen, then select the search bar at the top of the screen.



Enter the desired keyword, then scroll to and select the desired photo.