You probably know how to take a selfie or capture a quick sunset with your iPhone, but the camera can do much more. Beneath its simple interface are hidden features and smart tricks that can take your photography experience to the next level.
6
Silence the Shutter Button
If you’ve ever taken a picture only to have the loud shutter sound break the silence, you know how frustrating it can be. You might be trying to capture a sleeping pet or take a candid street shot without drawing attention, but that loud click can easily ruin it.
While the iPhone doesn’t include the option to mute the shutter sound for privacy reasons, there are a few workarounds. The quickest fix is to put your iPhone in silent mode using the Ring/Silent switch or the Action button. You can also do this using the Control Center on your iPhone.
If you don’t want to toggle silent mode every time, turning on Live Photos is another option. With Live Photos enabled, the Camera app automatically mutes the shutter sound as it captures a short motion clip. You can also silence the shutter sound by taking photos while recording a video, or by connecting headphones so the sound plays through them instead of the speakers.
These tips are great for capturing photos quietly, but it’s important to use them responsibly. Always respect the privacy of others while enjoying the freedom of discreet photography.
5
Choose a Photographic Style That Matches Your Aesthetic
One of the best (or worst, depending on your taste) things about the iPhone camera is that it automatically enhances your photos. This way, your shots always look polished without any extra editing on your part.
Unlike filters, which layer on an obvious effect, Photographic Styles subtly adjust things like tone and warmth while still keeping skin tones natural. The result is photos that look better straight out of the camera, but they don’t scream “edited.”
The magic, however, comes from choosing the right style. To try it out, open the Camera app, tap the arrow at the top of the screen, then tap the Photographic Styles icon (three stacked squares). From there, browse through the options and select the style you like. You can also head to Settings > Camera > Photographic Styles to set your default look.
Maybe you’re drawn to Gold or Rose Gold for a warmer, glowing feel, or perhaps you prefer Neutral for a clean, true-to-life look. Styles like Cool Rose or other variations can lean into moodier, more artistic tones. Once you pick one, every shot you take will automatically carry that aesthetic.
Photographic Styles aren’t available on every iPhone. You’ll need an iPhone SE (3rd generation) or any iPhone 13 model or newer to use them. If you’re rocking one of the iPhone 16 models, you’ll even get more style options to choose from.
4
Lock In Your Favorite Camera Settings
Have you noticed that the iPhone camera always opens in Photo mode? Even if you usually shoot in Portrait, use a specific filter, or keep Live Photos off, the settings reset every time you exit. That’s because, by default, the iPhone Camera app isn’t configured to remember your settings.
To avoid this, you can enable the Preserve Settings option. This feature locks in to your preferred setup, so the camera always opens the way you like it. It can save the last shooting mode you used, your filter choice, exposure adjustments, and even whether Night Mode stays on or off.
To set it up, go to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings. You’ll see several options, like Camera Mode, Photographic Style, Depth Control, Exposure Adjustment, Night Mode, and Live Photo. Turn on the toggles for the ones you want the Camera app to remember.
3
Shoot Video Without Leaving Photo Mode
You know that split-second panic when something amazing happens, and you’re scrambling to switch from photo to video? By the time you swipe over, the moment may already be gone. Luckily, the iPhone has a handy shortcut that can help.
When you’re in Photo mode, tap and hold down the shutter button. Instead of taking a still, your iPhone will start recording video. It will keep recording as long as you keep your finger pressed, much like Snapchat.
If you want, you can also lock into video mode to avoid pressing down the button. For that, slide the shutter to the right, and it will continue recording without you holding the button.
This is one of those tricks you might not need every day, but it’s perfect for those unpredictable moments, like when your dog suddenly does something funny or fireworks go off without warning.
2
Get Gentle Reminders to Clean Your Lens
You might have the newest iPhone with all the latest camera hardware, but if your photos look dull or hazy, the culprit is usually a dirty lens. Fingerprints, dust, or even a smudge from your coffee cup can turn a sharp shot into something that looks like it was taken through a foggy window.
It’s easy to forget about something as simple as cleaning the lens, but your iPhone can actually remind you. If the Camera app notices unusual haze or softness in your shots, you’ll see a gentle prompt suggesting it’s time to give the lens a quick wipe. To turn this on, go to Settings > Camera and enable Lens Cleaning Hints.
That said, you don’t need to wait for your iPhone to remind you. It’s best to make it a habit to wipe the lens clean before you start shooting with it. A microfiber cloth works best, but if you’re in a pinch, the corner of a clean shirt sleeve can do the job too.
1
Record GIFs
Sometimes a single photo is not enough to capture the moment and a full video can feel like too much. Live Photos can help, yet if you want something easy to share across platforms, creating a GIF is the perfect middle ground.
Unlike certain Android phones, the iPhone Camera app doesn’t have a native “record GIF” button. But you can still create them using Apple’s Shortcuts app. For this, you’ll first need to capture the photos in burst mode. In the Camera app, swipe the shutter button to the left and hold it to start taking photos in rapid succession. Once you’re done, release the shutter button.
After you’ve captured a burst of photos, open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you don’t see it, download it from the App Store first. Go to the Gallery tab in the Shortcuts app and search for GIF. Then, tap the plus icon next to Convert Burst to GIF to add the shortcut to your Library.
Now, switch to the Library tab, tap Convert Burst to GIF, and select the burst photo you want to use. Within seconds, your GIF will be ready. You can then tap the share icon to send it directly or save it to your Photos or Files app.
You don’t have to rely on burst mode. It’s also possible to convert a Live Photo or a video into a GIF on your iPhone using the appropriate shortcut.
It’s one thing to use your iPhone’s camera and another to use it with these little tricks. Apple has tucked away clever tools and shortcuts that rarely get the spotlight, but they can make your experience smoother and help you capture moments exactly the way you want.
