To take a timed photo on an iPhone running iOS 26 or later, open Camera, make sure you’re in Photo mode, and tap the Photo button (or the menu button at the top right) to open the camera options. Tap Timer, choose 3s, 5s or 10s, then tap the shutter button. A countdown runs on screen and the iPhone takes the picture when it reaches zero.
On iOS 18 and earlier, tap the arrow at the top of the Camera screen (or swipe up just above the shutter) and tap the Timer button in the row of controls that appears. The timer works with both the back and front cameras, so it’s just as handy for a propped-up selfie as for a group shot.
How to set the camera timer on iOS 26 and iOS 27
iOS 26 redesigned the Camera app so that only Photo and Video sit below the viewfinder. Timer, flash and the other settings moved into a pop-out menu.
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap Photo if you’re in another mode. For a background-blur shot, swipe to Portrait instead; it has a timer too.
- Tap the Photo button again, or tap the menu button at the top right of the screen. A panel of large buttons opens.
- Tap Timer.
- Choose 3s, 5s or 10s. The timer button shows the delay you picked.
- Frame the shot. Tap the subject on screen to set focus and brightness before you start.
- Tap the shutter button, then get into position. The countdown appears on screen.
The photo lands in the Photos app like any other picture. With Live Photos turned off, the iPhone may take a short burst of shots when the timer ends, so you can pick the one where nobody blinked.
How to use the timer on iOS 18 and earlier
- Open Camera and choose Photo or Portrait mode.
- Tap the arrow at the top center of the screen, or swipe up on the area just above the shutter button. A row of controls replaces the list of camera modes.
- Tap the Timer button. It looks like a small clock face.
- Tap 3s or 10s. (Recent versions also offer 5s.)
- Tap the shutter button and get into place before the countdown ends.
If you don’t see an arrow, update your iPhone or look for the Timer button directly in the top row. Older iOS versions put it there.
How to turn the camera timer off
The timer can stay on after your shot, which surprises people the next time they tap the shutter and nothing happens for ten seconds. To switch it off, open the same menu, tap Timer and choose Off. If the Camera app keeps opening with odd settings, see how to reset your iPhone’s camera settings.
Which timer length should you choose?
| Delay | Best for |
|---|---|
| 3s | Stopping the phone from shaking after you tap the shutter, for example on a tripod at night |
| 5s | A selfie with the phone propped up an arm’s length away |
| 10s | Walking into a group shot or getting into a pose a few steps from the phone |
The 3-second timer is also a simple trick for sharper low-light shots. Tapping the screen shakes the phone slightly, and three seconds is enough for it to settle. The same idea helps when you shoot night photos or try to photograph the moon.
Tips for a better timed photo
- Steady the phone. A small tripod or phone stand works best. Otherwise, lean the iPhone against something solid.
- Lock focus first. Touch and hold on your subject until AE/AF LOCK appears. The focus and exposure then won’t jump around when people move into the frame.
- Use the back camera for groups. It has better quality and a wider view. Turn the phone so the screen faces away and check the framing first.
- Watch the countdown. On the back camera the flash may blink during the countdown, which helps people in front of the phone know when to smile.
Other ways to take a photo without touching your iPhone
- AirPods: with iOS 26, AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 or later can act as a remote shutter. Connect them, open Camera and press and hold the AirPods stem to take a photo.
- Apple Watch: open the Camera Remote app on a paired watch to see the iPhone’s view on your wrist and take the shot from there, with an optional short timer. Here’s how to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone if you haven’t yet.
- Volume buttons: pressing either volume button takes a photo in the Camera app. It’s still a touch on the phone, but it shakes it less than tapping the screen.
Why can’t I find the timer?
The timer only appears in photo modes. It isn’t offered in Pano, Slo-Mo, Time-Lapse or Cinematic. Switch back to Photo or Portrait, then open the camera options again. On iOS 26 and later, look in the pop-out menu rather than along the top of the screen, where only a few quick-access buttons remain. Apple’s iPhone camera basics guide covers the rest of the Camera app’s controls.
Common questions
Can I set a timer longer than 10 seconds?
Not in the Camera app; 10 seconds is the longest built-in delay. If you need more time, use a remote shutter such as AirPods or the Apple Watch Camera Remote app, which lets you frame the shot and take it from wherever you’re standing.
Does the timer work with the front camera?
Yes. Tap the switch-camera button first, then set the timer the same way. It’s useful for selfies with the phone propped on a shelf or table, where reaching the shutter would put your arm in the shot.
Matthew Roberts is the founder and editor of ARS Digitech. He started the site to answer the iPhone questions his friends and family kept asking him, and it has grown into a library of iPhone and iOS how-to guides. Matthew writes and maintains every tutorial on the site, checking steps and menu names against Apple’s official support documentation and updating guides when an iOS release moves a setting.