Apple’s most-awaited OS update of 2025 iOS 26 beta 5 has brought with it several significant features improvements. Ever since Apple announced its new iOS 26 UI at the company’s WWDC event in June, since then there have been various developer and public beta updates. However, the latest iOS 26 beta 5 in the beta testing ahead of its expected full release next month has revealed an important camera feature for iPhone users finally.
What are the Camera Improvements in iOS Beta 5?
According to a Macrumours report, Apple’s iOS 26 update brings an unexpected camera trick to AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 – the ability to control iPhone photo and video capture using AirPods stem gestures. The new Camera Remote feature essentially turns your wireless earbuds into a handy hands-free photography tool.
How to Enable Camera Remote?
After updating the firmware of your AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 2, you can enable and configure the Camera Remote feature:
Step 1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone, then open Settings.
Step 2. Tap your AirPods name under the Apple Account banner.
Step 3. Scroll down to “Camera Control”, then tap Camera Remote.
Step 4. Choose your preferred gesture: Press Once or Press and Hold.
The “Press Once” option responds to a single tap on your AirPods stem, while “Press and Hold” requires you to maintain pressure on the stem to activate the camera.
How to use Camera Remote?
Once enabled, the feature works seamlessly with the built-in Camera app. Wearing at least one paired AirPod, simply open the Camera app and select either Photo or Video mode, then frame your shot as you normally would. When you’re ready to capture, use your chosen AirPods gesture to trigger the camera remotely.
When taking photos, your selected gesture triggers a 3-second countdown, after which the camera captures a burst of 10 photos. This gives you multiple shots to choose from, increasing your chances of getting the perfect image. When shooting video, the gesture starts and stops video recording, functioning much like a wireless record button.
The Camera Remote feature works at any distance within your AirPods’ Bluetooth range, making it handy for wide-angle shots and creative photography where you need to be some distance away from your device.
Why is this camera feature necessary?
Apple’s Camera Remote feature for AirPods offers a neat solution in scenarios where standard phone photography might fall short. If you’ve ever used the Camera Remote app for Apple Watch, it offers similar benefits. When taking group photos, you can position your iPhone at the perfect angle, step into the frame, and trigger the shot with a simple press of your AirPods. It can also help capture steadier footage when shooting video, since you’re not handling the camera and don’t need to work with on-screen controls.
What other changes are in iOS 26?
As for the changes with iOS 26, Apple is bringing a new Liquid Glass UI across the operating system that adds a transparent finish to the iPhone’s Lock Screen, Home Screen, Control Centre, apps and more. Apple will also introduce a number of other features with iOS 26, including real-time call translation, expanded Visual Intelligence, AI-powered battery management and a redesigned Phone app.
When is iOS 26 releasing?
While Apple hasn’t given a fixed timeline for the iOS 26 rollout, the new OS usually debuts alongside the latest iPhones at the September launch event. The Cupertino-based tech giant is expected to reveal the launch date for these new devices soon, and the iOS 26 rollout should follow a few days after the iPhone 17 series debut.
Last year, Apple launched the iPhone 16 on 9 September, while the iOS 18 update was released on 16 September.
