How To Setup & Use Count Down Timer in Camera App on iPhone & iPad

The Camera app in your iPhone or iPad has a timer feature that is similar to what can be seen on the standard point and shoot or DSLR cameras. The timer feature was introduced as one of the improvements in iOS 8. That means if you have got a tripod or either if you can prop your phone against something, then you can easily frame a photo and then jump in it yourself. As a result, you wouldn’t need a photographer. Simply set the timer and let the Camera app do the rest.

Setup Count Down Timer on iPhone or iPad Camera App

1. Launch the Camera app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Now tap on the timer icon in the top navigation, and if you are in a landscape mode, the timer icon should be on the side.
3. By default the timer is off, you can choose to set it to either 3 or 10 seconds.
4. You can then tap the camera shutter when you are ready for the countdown to start.

That’s all. Now you have to simply move into place and wait for the photo to be taken by the timer. The flash will light up every second on the iPhone, and then flash continuously for the last 3 seconds of the timer. Once that time ends, the iPhone or iPad will take the photo. By default, it takes eleven frames so that you can select the best shot out of it. The self-timer is also helpful if you’re taking photos in low light on a tripod where pressing the shutter button is likely to introduce camera shake.

Note: For those that are using the self-timer on an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, doing so automatically enables burst mode and it will take ten pictures very quickly, while it is not applicable for devices running iOS 8 on older iPhone models.

Give it a try, and see how it works out for you.