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Q. I am horrible at taking selfies. I don’t know how people do it, I always look my worst, even with a selfie stick!
A friend of mine suggested that I use the timer on my iPhone camera to take pictures of myself. But I looked in the Camera app and couldn’t find a timer. Is that a feature that’s only on the latest iPhone?
Please let me know if I can take a photo using a timer on my iPhone 12 and if so, how to do it. Thank you to The Wonder of Tech!
A. Great question! Yes, your iPhone camera can take photos using a timer. This can come in handy for photos you want to be in: selfies, group shots, photos with your pet, etc.
No need to struggle with selfies, you can use the iPhone camera timer to include yourself in the shot!
The iPhone camera app comes with a handy timer so you can set up the shot, then have time to get in the photo. But the timer is a bit hidden in the camera app. In fact, you may not even know it’s an option for taking photos with your iPhone!
But, if you know where to look, you’ll find using the camera timer is very easy.
How to Use the iPhone Camera Timer
Tip => Try practicing using the camera timer a few times before you need to use it. Once you learn how to use it and practice it once or twice, you’ll be able to use it quickly and easily!
To use the camera timer, set up your shot and place your iPhone on a secure, stable surface. Then, open the camera app on your iPhone. Tap the up arrow ∧ at the top of the screen.
Next, tap the timer icon in the bottom menu bar in the camera app.
You’ll see three choices:
- Timer off
- 3 seconds (3s)
- 10 seconds (10s)
Tap either 3 seconds or 10 seconds.
The next screen will show the timer icon highlighted in yellow. You’ll also see the amount of time you chose for the timer in the upper left corner of the screen.
When you have your shot ready to go and your phone positioned where you want it, tap the shutter button (the big white circle). You’ll have either three or ten seconds (depending on which timer setting you chose) before the iPhone camera takes the photo.
While the iPhone camera is counting down the seconds, the light on the back of the camera will flash so you can see it’s getting ready to take the photo. A countdown will also appear on the iPhone screen, indicating how many seconds remain before the shot is taken.
When the camera app takes the photo, you’ll hear the shutter sound. After you hear the shutter sound, you can check your phone to make sure you got the shot.
Your Thoughts
Do you struggle to take selfies that turn out well? Did you know there was a timer on the iPhone camera app? Have you ever used the timer to take a photo with your iPhone?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*Image of women jumping at the beach (edited) via Shutterstock and PicMonkey Pro
Oh my gosh, Carolyn. This was excellent. Can’t wait to try it, Most of what you offer these days is well beyond my ability to know what to do. This one should be easy. I have updated all my ‘apple’ and hope it helps. Thanks again.
Hi Pat, I’m glad this article was helpful for you, though I am sorry that I haven’t explained tech well enough in the past. I will strive to explain it more clearly in the future!
This was lovely! Capturing a quality selfie has always been a challenge, this makes it so much easier, thanks!
Hi Archana, Yes, I don’t know how some people are so good at taking selfies while I have never taken a decent one. I’m so glad The Wonder of Tech reader asked this question because the answer can help so many people!