by Joe Lonergan

Did you know that you can use the volume button to snap a quick photo on your iPhone camera?

Who would have thought that the camera would be one of the most used and most useful tools on a blind or vision-impaired user’s smartphone? We have spoken of all the amazing apps that you can use with the camera, but what if you want to take a quick photo to save in your camera roll to save or use later?

How to use the volume button to take a photo
If you are a VoiceOver user, you can open the camera from your lock screen, by swiping right until you hear page 1 of 2 and then swipe up with one finger. Or you can open the camera by tapping on the camera app on your home screen.

If you prefer to use Siri, just say “Siri, open camera”.

When the camera is open, and you are happy you are pointing the camera at an object then simply press either one of the volume buttons on the side of the phone to take a picture.

It is really easy and reduces the chance of you shaking the phone when taking a picture, especially for VoiceOver users and you do not have to locate and double tap on the take picture button on the screen.

Take a quick selfie with the help of Siri.
Use your Virtual Assistant Siri to open the camera in selfie mode. Try saying “Siri, open camera in selfie mode”. Now the front-facing camera should open. Now press the take picture button or the volume button to take a quick selfie.