Apple Watch Camera Remote App: More Powerful Than You Think

If you have never used the Apple Watch Camera Remote app, you probably picture a simple tool to snap a photo from a distance. Yes, the biggest use case for the app is to help you capture photos and videos and avoid shaky shots when your iPhone is perched somewhere out of reach. However, the Camera Remote app on your Apple Watch is far more capable and versatile than you realize.

Keep reading as we explain what makes the Apple Watch Camera Remote app a powerful extension of your iPhone camera and how to use it to elevate your photography game.

What Is the Apple Watch Camera Remote App?

Simply put, think of the Apple Watch Camera Remote app as a wireless viewfinder and shutter button that controls your iPhone’s camera. It offers a clear and complete view of what your iPhone’s camera sees right on your wrist.

You can use the app to adjust the frame, zoom in or out on the subject, turn a countdown timer on or off, and take photos or videos from a distance without physically handling your iPhone.

Why Use the Camera Remote App?

You might wonder why you would even use the Camera Remote app when most smartphone tripods come with a physical wireless trigger to capture photos, or you could just use your iPhone directly. While the Camera Remote app’s ability to show a live preview alone is compelling, here are some other reasons to use it:

Better group photos: Place your iPhone on a tripod or stable surface and control it remotely for perfectly framed group shots.
Creative angles: Experiment with unusual perspectives or tricky angles without being physically next to your phone.
Hands-free videos: Record yourself or your surroundings without the awkwardness of holding your phone.
Discreet photography: Capture moments unobtrusively.
Convenience: Quickly snap photos without fumbling for your phone, especially when it’s out of reach.

What Can You Do With the Camera Remote App on Your Apple Watch

While you might think of the Camera Remote app as just a fancy shutter button, Apple has packed it with features designed to help you take better photos and videos effortlessly.

1. Get a Live Preview and Frame Your Shot

Instead of just a remote shutter button, the Apple Watch Remote app also serves as a viewfinder of what your iPhone camera sees. When you launch the Camera Remote app, your Apple Watch screen shows a live preview, so you can frame the shot perfectly. This capability is handy if you’ve set up your iPhone far away or at a tricky angle, as you can perfectly frame your shots without moving back and forth.

2. Use the Timer for Hands-Free Photos

Need to join a group photo or capture a candid moment? You can activate a 3-second timer right from your Watch, giving yourself just enough time to get into position or prepare your scene without rushing.

3. Record Videos From a Distance

The Camera Remote app doesn’t just snap photos—it lets you start and stop video recording as well. Place your iPhone on a tripod, frame your subject using the live preview, and tap to record steady, hands-free videos.

4. Switch Between Front and Rear Cameras

While the Camera Remote app, by default, launches the rear camera on your iPhone, you can toggle between the front and rear cameras from your watch. This gives you complete control over which lens to use right on your wrist.

5. Adjust Camera Settings

Besides switching between front and rear cameras, the Apple Watch Camera Remote app also lets you adjust camera settings, such as turning the Flash and Live Photo on or off or setting both to automatic mode. It’s an easy way to tweak camera settings without touching your phone.

How to Use the Camera Remote App on Your Apple Watch

Now that you know what you can do with the Camera Remote app on your Apple Watch, it is time you put it to the test. Here’s how to use the Apple Watch Camera Remote app:

Make sure your Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone and within the normal Bluetooth range (about 33 feet or 10 meters).
Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to access the app grid or list.
Here, locate and tap the Camera Remote app to open it. Once you do so, your iPhone’s Camera app will automatically open, and its live preview will appear on your Apple Watch screen.
Frame your shot using the live preview on the watch’s screen. You can tap on the screen to set focus.
Use the Digital Crown to zoom in or out.
The Camera Remote app has a 3-second countdown timer by default. If you want to delay your shots, you can keep using it or turn it off by tapping the three-dot button (More) in the bottom-right, then toggle off the 3 sec option.
To switch between front and rear cameras, tap the More button in the bottom-right and choose the appropriate option under the Camera section on the menu that appears.
Hit the shutter button to take a picture.
Alternatively, tap and hold the shutter button to start video recording. You can release the button once the video recording starts and tap it again to stop recording.
To adjust other camera settings like Flash and Live Photos, tap the More button next to the capture button and choose the appropriate option on the menu that appears.

Once you take a photo or video, a small thumbnail will appear in the bottom-left corner. You can tap the thumbnail to view the captured photo or video and swipe right or left to view more.

Snap Smarter, Right From Your Wrist

That’s all you need to know about the Camera Remote app on the Apple Watch. The next time you place your iPhone on a tripod, don’t reach for your iPhone to capture the shot. Instead, lift your wrist and let your Apple Watch do the work.

So, what are you waiting for? Give the app a shot and let us know your favorite way to use the Camera Remote app in the comments.

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