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iOS 18.2: End Accidental Camera Control Presses on iPhone 16

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In iOS 18.2, Apple has introduced a thoughtful new feature for the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models that helps prevent accidental camera launches by requiring the screen to be on before the button will register clicks. Keep reading to gain more control over when the Camera app opens.

iphone-16-pro-capture-button.jpg

Apple located the Camera Control button to make it conveniently placed for quick access, but it can sometimes be too responsive – especially during those moments when you're not actually trying to take a photo.

Recognizing the potential for this, Apple in iOS 18.2 has added a new Require Screen On feature for Camera Control. It's particularly useful if you often find your iPhone accidentally opening the Camera app while it's in your pocket or bag. By requiring the screen to be on first, you can significantly reduce those unwanted camera launches while still maintaining quick access when you need it.

Require Screen On for Camera Control

Here's how to enable the new option to prevent accidental Camera Control presses:
  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone 16.
  2. Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness.
  3. Look for the Camera Control section.
  4. Toggle on Require Screen On.
require-screen-on-camera-control-ios.jpg


Once enabled, you'll need to wake your iPhone's screen before the Camera Control button will respond. This extra step adds just enough friction to prevent accidental activation while keeping the camera readily accessible when you need it.

Article Link: iOS 18.2: End Accidental Camera Control Presses on iPhone 16
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/stop-accidental-camera-control-presses-iphone-16/
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Surely this is backwards and Apple has added the ability to launch the camera with the screen off instead?

I'm rocking 18.1 and since day 1 my camera button will only launch the camera if the screen is on. If the screen is off it wakes the device only and requires a second click to launch the camera. That it doesn't reliably take me to the camera in all cases has been extremely annoying.
 
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This has me hoping that the rumored iPhone "Air" doesn't have the Camera Control button.

Similar to how you need to pay to avoid ads, I'll pay to avoid unnecessary buttons, cameras, and features.
 
Great! Now, can Apple figure out something similar to fix the accidental/unintended activation of volume control on Apple Watch when my arm/watch slides against something?

This is actually a health and safety issue when wearing headphones since the volume can instantly get boosted to potentially hearing-damaging levels!
 
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I think I hate this ***** button more than anything else. Even when I'm trying to use it, I'm either zooming in or out or switching to video. Completely useless in my opinion. I was happy with a power button and volume up and down. Over complicating a device that is meant to be simple. "Which button do I press? How many times do I have to press it?"
 
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CharlesShaw said:
This has me hoping that the rumored iPhone "Air" doesn't have the Camera Control button.

Similar to how you need to pay to avoid ads, I'll pay to avoid unnecessary buttons, cameras, and features.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that. The era of “Ive minimalism” at Apple is over. It’s a more-is-more design philosophy now! More features, more buttons! More complexity, more options, more apps, more bugs!
 
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kneisen said:
I think I hate this ***** button more than anything else. Even when I'm trying to use it, I'm either zooming in or out or switching to video. Completely useless in my opinion. I was happy with a power button and volume up and down. Over complicating a device that is meant to be simple. "Which button do I press? How many times do I have to press it?"
Click to expand...

Has anyone made a case which covers up (and effectively deletes) the Action button? That would seem to be an easy and effective solution.
 
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The article is a bit misleading. This has been the way camera control has worked since it was launched. iOS 18.2 adds an option to turn it off for the first time.

I immediately turned it off, as I want the camera button to always do the same thing no matter what.

I think the default behavior is the worse behavior honestly, since it makes camera control inconsistent: sometimes it requires 2 presses, and sometimes just 1. Especially if you’re pulling the phone out of your pocket at the same time you’re opening the camera, it’s pretty much a crapshoot: will the motion of the phone wake up the screen before I press the button or not?

If you’re like me and don’t have an issue with accidentally opening the camera, I recommend turning the Require Screen option off. Otherwise, I would actually recommend the option in camera control settings to always require two button presses. This reduces the chance of accidental activation while allowing you to still have an action that does the same thing every time.
 
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I solved this issue by requiring a double-tap on the button to launch the camera.

I'll have to check out this new option when I get around to installing 18.2
 
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Seems beat the purpose of the camera button.

OTOH, Sony Xperia phones which have camera button from more than decade intentionally built for fast capture without display on, so you don't miss a candid moment. Thankfully it was physical button (not haptic) and need some firm push to camera activation, so it was not easily activated with accidental press.
 
kneisen said:
I think I hate this ***** button more than anything else. Even when I'm trying to use it, I'm either zooming in or out or switching to video. Completely useless in my opinion. I was happy with a power button and volume up and down. Over complicating a device that is meant to be simple. "Which button do I press? How many times do I have to press it?"
Click to expand...
I love it personally, but under Camera Control settings you can set the action to “None” and never have to worry about it again.
 
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Spock said:
What is the point of the button again?
Click to expand...
Things worth photographing are often fleeting. Having a single physical control I can press anytime, anywhere to get a camera instantly, and press again to take photos, is awesome. The fact that it doesn’t rely on the touch screen at all means I can take photos with gloves, dirty hands, and other situations where I’m not able to interact with the touch elements of the phone.
 
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patriotsfan82 said:
Surely this is backwards and Apple has added the ability to launch the camera with the screen off instead?

I'm rocking 18.1 and since day 1 my camera button will only launch the camera if the screen is on. If the screen is off it wakes the device only and requires a second click to launch the camera. That it doesn't reliably take me to the camera in all cases has been extremely annoying.
Click to expand...
Yes. The entire premise of the article is wrong. It's quite impressive actually how much of the verbose storytelling falls apart when you realize the article is describing a before-state that never existed. Before 18.2, the supposedly "too responsive" button always required a second press when the screen was off.
 
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yurc said:
Seems beat the purpose of the camera button.

OTOH, Sony Xperia phones which have camera button from more than decade intentionally built for fast capture without display on, so you don't miss a candid moment. Thankfully it was physical button (not haptic) and need some firm push to camera activation, so it was not easily activated with accidental press.
Click to expand...

I don't particularly care about the purpose, I don't want any buttons, any settings, any notifications, or any features enabled unless the phone is unlocked, except being able to answer a call.

Still waiting for Apple to let me disable swipe for the camera when locked.
 
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