Use AirPods with supported camera apps on iPhone or iPad
You can use the stem on AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3 to take a photo or start recording a video in apps like the Camera app on your iPhone or iPad—for example, if you need to capture a photo or video from a distance. You can also use your AirPods as a microphone with supported camera apps.
Note: Using AirPods as a camera remote or camera microphone is available in supported camera apps on devices with iOS 26 or iPadOS 26.
Before you begin
Make sure your AirPods are set up as a camera remote.
Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your iPhone or iPad.
Go to the Settings app
on your iPhone or iPad.Tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen.
Tap Camera Remote, then tap either Press Once or Press and Hold.
Note: If you select Press Once, media control gestures are temporarily unavailable while you use a supported camera app. If you select Press and Hold, listening modes and Siri gestures are temporarily unavailable while you use a supported camera app.
Use your AirPods to take photos and record video
Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your iPhone or iPad.
Go to the Camera app
(or another supported camera app) on your iPhone or iPad.Do one of the following:
Take a photo: Press the stem on your AirPods.
Note: In some countries and regions, the 3-second timer and feedback tone in Photo mode in the Camera app isn’t available. You won’t hear a feedback tone when the ringer is turned off or when Live Photo is turned on.
Take a video: Select Video mode in the Camera app, then press the stem on your AirPods. To stop recording video, press the stem again.
Use your AirPods as a microphone in camera apps
You can use your AirPods as a microphone—like a lapel mic—with supported camera apps.
Note: Using AirPods as a camera microphone isn’t available in all countries or regions.
Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your iPhone or iPad.
Go to the Camera app
(or another supported camera app) on your iPhone or iPad.Select Video mode in the Camera app.
Open Control Center, tap Camera Controls, then do any of the following:
Input: Tap the name of your AirPods.
Note: You might also be able to select Same as System.
Mic mode: Tap Automatic, Standard, Voice Isolation, or Wide Spectrum.
Press the stem on your AirPods to start recording.
You can also select your AirPods as a microphone in Settings. Go to the Settings app , tap Sounds & Haptics, tap Input, then select your AirPods.
To change which of your AirPods to use as a microphone, see Set the microphone location for your AirPods or AirPods Pro.