Smartphones have made it possible to always have a camera close at hand, but touching the screen isn’t always the best way to take a photo. Sometimes you need to react quickly, sometimes you wear gloves, and sometimes even the slightest touch can move the phone and spoil the shot. That’s why most Android phones offer several ways to take a photo without touching the screen.
The first and simplest option is to use the physical volume keys. On many Android phones, the volume down or volume key can act as a camera shutter. This is practical because the finger naturally rests on the edge of the phone, similar to real cameras, so you can take a photo more stably than by pressing the screen.
On Samsung phones, for example, this option is adjusted through Camera Settings i Shooting Methods menu, where the behavior of the volume keys can be selected. The path varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but most Android models offer a similar option.
Another useful feature is to quickly launch the camera with a hardware shortcut. On many Android phones, double-pressing the power button opens the camera. The phone does not need to be unlocked beforehand, which is ideal when you need to quickly capture a moment that lasts only a few seconds.
The Android camera allows taking photos with voice, keys, gestures and remote triggers
On some models, there are also additional programmable buttons, so they can also be set to open the camera. However, the standard and most common shortcut remains double-clicking the side key.
How-to-GeekThe third option is voice photography. With supported phones, it is enough to say a command such as “capture”, “shoot” or a similar word, and the camera will take a photo. This is especially useful in macro photography, where the slightest movement of the hand can move the phone and blur the image.
The voice trigger also helps when the phone is placed on a tripod, leaned against a surface or attached to a selfie stick. The phone can then remain completely still, while the user takes the photo without physical contact with the device.
The fourth possibility is remote triggers. Inexpensive Bluetooth triggers can be connected to a phone and used as a wireless shutter button. This is useful for group photos, shooting from a tripod, or situations where the phone needs to be away from the user.
If you have a smartwatch, it can often act as a remote control for your camera. Depending on the watch and phone model, a separate app may be required, but the watch and phone combination can be very convenient for remote framing and shooting.
The fifth group of functions refers to the timer and gestures. The timer is the oldest solution: place the phone, choose a delay of a few seconds and get into the frame. On Samsung phones, options of 2, 5 or 10 seconds are usually available.
Gestures are a more modern variant. With some phones, it is enough to show your palm to the camera, after which a short countdown is activated and the photo is taken automatically. This is especially useful for selfies and group photos, as you don’t have to touch the screen or chase the shutter button.
All of these Android camera features have the same goal: to make photography faster, more stable, and more convenient. Whether you use the volume keys, voice command, Bluetooth trigger, smartwatch, timer or palm gesture, the phone can take a photo without touching the screen, and that’s often enough to make the shot turn out better, advises How-to-Geek.