Although the number of new options in the camera app for iPhone and iPad has remained limited, the update feels big. This is due to the new Liquid Glass design. This design gives the app a transparent, glass appearance where buttons and menus seem to ‘float’.
Apple has kept the camera settings in the same place, but it can be a search in the beginning. Unique for iOS 26 is a function for lens cleaning and airpods integration: the app warns if your lens is dirty and you can take a photo with your AirPods as a remote control.
Liquid Glass design for camera
The camera app in iOS 26 has a new design called Liquid Glass. This gives the app a transparent, glass look with buds and menus that seem to float above the camera view. Edges and buttons are rounded, and the interface is more transparent, making you see more of what falls outside the frame. Due to the new depth and light effects, the app seems less pressure, while important buttons such as the shutter and lens change remain clearly visible.
Camera app
In addition to visual innovations, the camera app is made easier and more user-friendly. Users now only see the main options: photo and video. Other recording options such as portrait, panorama and slow motion are accessible by wiping to the left or right. In addition, you can also put your finger on this button bar to view the extra options.
Sweeps in Camera app
Sweeping to change between cameramodi is not new; This was already possible in earlier versions of the camera app, but was less striking. Now you have to sweep in the new interface. It is striking that you now wipe in the opposite direction: you wipe to the left to go from photo to video, while this used to be the other way around. For the time being you can do this not Return more via Settings ▸ Camera ▸ Classic Mode Switching.
Consult camera settings
Settings such as aspect ratio, flash, live photos, styles, timer, lighting, night mode, etc. are easily accessible with a swipe up or by tapping the button bar at the bottom. In addition, you can also tap the shortcut on the shortcuts at the top of the camera view.
Via these shortcuts at the top of the screen you can also immediately adjust the flash, resolution or frame rate. You can also immediately adjust the placement in the shared photo library and automatically activated settings such as night mode.
Cleaning lenses Notification
In iOS 26 and iPados, your iPhone or iPad automatically checks whether the lens of your camera is dirty, and you get a notification if you have to clean it before you take a photo. This warning appears with both the front and rear camera and helps prevent you from taking blurry or cloudy photos through a dirty lens. You can switch this function on or off via the camera settings of your device. Follow the steps below:
- Open settings
- Navigate to ‘Camera’
- Enable the option ‘Tips for cleaning lenses’
Use as a magnifying glass on Mac
With MacOS 26 and iOS 26 you can connect Mac to your iPhone to use the camera app of your iPhone as a magnifying glass. The magnifying glass app on the Mac uses the zom possibilities of the iPhone, whereby the live video image is displayed on your Mac via continuity camera.
Camera control functions with AirPods
Finally, you can now operate the camera of your iPhone or iPad with your AirPods. After you have opened the camera app, the input of the AirPods is then recognized by the app. By simply squeezing (ticking) in the steel of the AirPods, you can take a photo or start a video recording, so that you can operate hands-free the camera.
The camera will then count down and then take the photo. This offers a practical solution for taking group photos or selfies and is reminiscent of earlier possibilities with wired earpods.