Apple has introduced a handy new feature for iPhone 16 users in iOS 18.1 (currently in beta) that makes taking selfies easier: The Camera Control button now allows quick access to the front-facing camera without touching the screen.
Here's how to use this new selfie functionality on iPhone 16 models running iOS 18.1:
- Open the Camera app by pressing the Camera Control button.
- Swipe on the Camera Control button to scroll though the lenses until you reach the icon that represents the front-facing camera (a person icon).
- Release your finger to switch the camera to selfie mode.
- Press down on the Camera Control button to take your selfie.
This new gesture works seamlessly with the existing lens-switching functionality. You can swipe through the ultra-wide (0.5x), wide (1x), and telephoto (2x and 5x on Pro models) lenses before reaching the selfie camera option.
If you've customized your Camera Control settings, you might need to take an extra step. Open the Camera app, activate Camera Control, and tap the screen to change tools. Look for the "Cameras" section, where you'll find the selfie camera option alongside the other lenses.
It's worth noting that the last tool you used will be the default when you next open Camera Control. So if you frequently take selfies, this feature will become even more convenient over time. If you aren't using the iOS 18.1 beta, expect the public release to become available to download on your iPhone 16 this October.