Fix iPhone 16’s Fiddly Camera Control Button with These Hidden Settings

New on all iPhone 16 models is a button dedicated to controlling the camera, called Camera Control of all things. This is not just a single-use button, it is a launcher of the Camera app, a multi-function shutter, and control of functions with touch sensitivity and haptics.

Those new to the iPhone 16 have expressed some disappointment, however. While launching the Camera app and taking photos works well, reliably lightly pressing the button to open the controls is a bit of a pain. Swiping to adjust the controls is a bit awkward at times, and double-tapping to select the controls without accidentally taking a photo feels like a test of dexterity.

Luckily, there are a few really handy settings you can use to customize how Camera Control works — if you know where to look. In what seems like an Apple joke, these handy-for-everyone features are somehow stuffed into the accessibility options.

Two sets of camera control options

Open Settings and tap CameraThen Camera control.

Here you can disable the “Clear Previews” option that clears the interface when you press the camera control button, set the Camera app launcher to double-click or single-click, and choose which app you want to launch.

But these are not all the camera control settings; there are several other useful options that you can enter in another menu.

Open Settings, tap Availabilitythen scroll down and tap Camera control.

Here are the features that Really you want! You’ll find a variety of options here, including independently enabling a light press or full swipe to reveal the controls, customizing the force needed for a light press with three sensitivity levels, and choosing how quickly a double tap registers. You can also turn the whole thing off if it bothers you.

We’re not sure why Apple decided to hide these settings in Accessibility, but we suspect they’ll be in the camera settings soon. But until then, you’ll know where to find them.