The iOS 26 update brings a stunning new experience to the Camera app, which has received significant improvements in design and functionality. Apple introduced the "Liquid Glass" design, which has spread to almost every area of the system, with features that make photography easier and more enjoyable. In this article, we'll take you on a tour to explore the most notable changes and features brought to the Camera app in iOS 26, which will transform the experience of taking photos and recording videos.
Liquid Glass Design: A New Artistic Touch
The first thing you'll notice when you open the Camera app in iOS 26 is the new design inspired by the concept of "liquid glass." This design gives the app a sleek, transparent look, with buttons appearing to "float" above the background thanks to a new depth effect. The area behind the shutter button and control buttons has become more transparent, allowing you to see the surrounding areas of the image more clearly.
◉ Visual improvements, with the buttons now rounder, and the back bar removed to change the focal length, giving the interface a cleaner look.
◉ Liquid Glass Effect: The capture button is no longer surrounded by a bright white ring, but a light ring inspired by liquid glass as well, adding a stylish touch.
This design isn't just about aesthetics; it makes the shooting experience more content-focused, highlighting the scene the camera is capturing without distraction.
Simplified interface: photos and videos with one click
Apple has redesigned the Camera app's navigation bar to make it simpler and easier to use. Instead of scrolling through all the photo and video modes, there are now just two main options: Photos and Video.
Easy navigation: You can still swipe to access other modes like portrait, panorama, slow motion, and cinematic, but the basic interface has become less complex.
The button locations—the focal length change buttons for the multi-lens cameras—remain in place, as do the last-image view button and the front-facing camera switch button. However, the photo view button is now circular instead of square.
Site redesign: Photo and video buttons are now below the capture button instead of above it, making control more convenient.
These changes make navigation faster and help you focus on the moment you want to capture without having to search for settings.
Pop-up menus: smarter control
Some of the controls that were at the top of the app have been moved to smart pop-up menus. When you select a mode like "Photos," you can tap the Photo button to access additional options like flash, Live Photos, timer, exposure, styles, ratio, and Night mode.
These menus also feature a liquid glass design, with large buttons that make settings easy to access. For example, tapping "Exposure" reveals a slider that lets you quickly adjust the lighting before taking a photo. In video mode, you can access options like flash, exposure, and motion mode.
Remote shooting feature using AirPods
One of the exciting features of iOS 26 is the ability to use your AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4 as a remote shutter button. You can now take a photo or record a video by simply pressing the stem of the earbud. Here's how:
Connect your AirPods to your iPhone, open the Camera app, then press and hold the earbud stem to take a photo or start recording a video. To stop recording, press and hold again.
This feature requires iOS 26 and the new AirPods firmware update.
This feature is ideal for taking group photos or videos without having to touch the iPhone, adding more flexibility for photography enthusiasts.
Lens Cleaning Alert: Clearer Images
Have you ever taken a photo and noticed it was blurry due to a dirty lens? With iOS 26, your iPhone will notify you if it detects that the camera lens needs cleaning. This feature ensures clear photos every time, a smart addition that reflects Apple's commitment to improving the user experience.
Advanced features for developers
Apple hasn't forgotten developers, introducing new APIs to enhance the photography experience in third-party apps.
Cinematic mode interface, which allows third-party apps to record videos in cinematic mode, with a shallow depth effect and automatic focus changes between subjects.
The audio mixing interface offers options such as “In-Frame” to reduce out-of-frame sounds, “Studio” to reduce background noise, and “Cinematic” to improve sound quality in a movie-like way.
Use the camera as a magnifier on Mac
With iOS 26 and macOS 26, you can use your iPhone camera as a visual magnifier with the Continuity Camera feature. This allows you to view your iPhone's video feed on your Mac, helping you zoom in on details. For example, students can use this feature to enlarge the whiteboard in class while taking notes on their Mac.
The Camera app update in iOS 26 reflects Apple's commitment to delivering a seamless user experience that combines elegance and functionality. From the liquid glass design to the pop-up menus and remote shutter with AirPods, this update makes photography easier and more creative. Whether you're an amateur or professional photographer, these changes will give you the tools to capture your moments in the best possible way.
Source:
12 comment