Taking photos can be a fun way to save and share memories, but sometimes getting a good picture can be difficult. For example, if you're taking a selfie, you might find it hard to hold your phone at the right angle to get everyone in the shot while keeping your hand out of frame and still being able to press the capture button. But when Apple releases iOS 26 this fall, it will let you use your AirPods to take photos so you can just worry about getting everyone's best angle.
Apple released the second public beta of iOS 26 on Aug. 7, and that beta brought a new Liquid Glass design and other new features to the iPhones of developers and beta testers. The beta also introduced Camera Remote for AirPods, which lets you take a photo with a press on your AirPods. But you have to enable this feature and it only works with AirPods that have an H2 chip, like the AirPods 4 or the AirPods Pro 2.
If you have a pair of those AirPods, here's where to find the Camera Remote option and how to use it.
Don't forget, Apple is still beta testing iOS 26. That means the update might be buggy for you and your device's battery life may be affected so it's best to keep those troubles off your primary device. If you want to try out the beta, I recommend downloading it on a secondary device.
It's also possible that Apple could adjust the Camera Remote option, and other update features, before the final version of iOS 26 is released this fall.
How to turn on the Camera Remote
1. Connect your compatible AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap your AirPods in the Settings menu.
4. Tap Camera Remote under Camera Control.
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