Activate Your iPhone Camera With Just Your Voice!

It’s summertime! Time for taking photos of family, friends, pets, and adventures. Some of us have physical conditions that make it difficult to open the camera app and to press the the shutter button. Fortunately, the iPhone’s Accessibility features have a solution!

First you need to go into Settings and tap on Accessibility.

When the next screen appears, scroll until you see Vocal Shortcuts under the Speech category.

Then this screen appears; tap on blue words.

The next screen explains what to do next. Tap Continue.

This next screen gives you some choices for Voice Shortcuts. Tap on Say Cheese.

Choices

Now you will be asked to type in a “speakable phrase” that will send commands to your iPhone. Keep it short. I’ve simply used “Picture”.

Choose your command phrase.

Now you must speak your phrase three times so the device can recognize your voice.

This screen appears and you are ready to open your camera app. Tap Continue.

Siri will open your camera app. Simply say, “Hey Siri, open the camera app.”

Depending on what iOS system you are running, the round ball will appear (as above) or the screen will be framed with colorful lights. The camera app will open and you are ready to frame your image.

Camera is active!

You are ready to take your picture now by saying your “speakable phrase”.  I took a picture of my cucumbers in a bag experiment. Notice the word picture at the top. That’s the signal that the shutter will be tripped. If you watch very carefully, you’ll see the shutter button flicker. It happens in a flash. Your picture will shortly appear in your Photos app.

Cukes in a bag

I had to practice several times to get the process to work. So, do not be dismayed if the steps do not work the first time.

We know that it important to hold the iPhone steady to get a sharp picture.  Try bracing your arms on a table or fence rail as you prepare to use your voice commands. There are small tripods you can attach your iPhone to and thus easily move it around and set it on a flat surface for stability. Here’s an example.

Mini tripod–there is a third leg hiding!

If you have an old credit card in your wallet, you might want to try this hack. BoomerTECH Adventures Chris demonstrates how to create a usable stand for your iPhone so you can take sharp pictures.

Have fun with your iPhone camera this summer–don’t leave home without it!