Today, the smartwatch has become that companion we always wear on our wrist, and it goes far beyond counting steps or displaying notifications. One of its most interesting and useful functions is the ability to... control the mobile phone's camera from the watch, perfect for selfies without juggling, group photos or tripod shots without having to run because of the timer.
The best part is that, although most watches don't have their own camera, many allow use the watch as a remote shutter release from the smartphone camera and even see a preview on the wearable's screen. However, each brand has its own rules, limitations, and tricks, so it's worth reviewing what you can do with each type of watch and how to get the most out of it.
Can smartwatches take photos on their own?
Before we delve into the different systems, it's important to understand that the vast majority of watches from well-known brands like Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit, or those running Wear OS do not include camera integrated into the watch itselfThis means that the watch doesn't take the photo itself, but acts as a remote control that operates the phone's camera.
The major brands have decided prioritize health, connectivity, and battery life versus putting a tiny camera sensor in the watch. The camera takes up space, consumes a lot of power, and raises concerns. privacy concerns When you wear a device on your wrist that could record without anyone noticing. That's why, although there were attempts like the original Samsung Galaxy Gear with a 1,9 MP lens, that trend It has not been maintained in current models..
If you're looking for watches with a camera as such, most belong to lesser-known brands or Chinese manufacturers that integrate simple sensors between 0,3 and 2 MP. They usually have fairly decent quality, bulkier designs, and very limited software support, so often They're not worth it compared to using a mobile phone. and control everything from the smartwatch.
How to remotely control the camera from your smartwatch
In practice, when you use the watch as a remote control, what you're doing is connect your mobile phone and smartwatch via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and use a specific app that acts as a bridge to the phone's camera. From that app you can preview the photo (depending on the model), take the picture, adjust the timer, or even touch settings like zoom or switch between front and rear camera.
The general process is very simple: you open the remote camera app on the watch and, in many cases, this automatically launches the phone's cameraFrom there, you see on the smartwatch screen what the phone's camera sees (when there's a preview) and you use the watch's buttons to take photos, start or stop a recording. Video recording or activate specific functions if the system allows it.
The advantages of remote control are clear: you can do group photos without timers, selfies taken from a distance with better framing, keeping the camera fixed on a tripod and shooting without touching the phone, or avoiding the typical vibrations when the button is pressed from the phone because everything is done from the wrist. It's like having a Bluetooth shutter release, but much more complete.
Remote camera control with Wear OS watches and Google Camera
In the Android world, one of the most comprehensive ways to use the watch as a trigger is to take advantage of the Google Camera app on Wear OSprovided you meet a few specific requirements. Not all watches or phones are compatible, so the details matter.
To begin with, Google's remote camera feature is only available in watches with Wear OS 2 or higherFurthermore, the latest instructions are designed for devices with Wear OS 3 and later versionsTherefore, some menus or icons may change slightly depending on the exact version your watch has.
Another key point is the mobile device: this integration is designed primarily for Wear OS watches paired with a Google Pixel or a compatible Android phoneIf you want to use a Pixel Watch or another Wear OS watch to control the camera, you need to install the Google Camera app on both mobile and watch from the Play Store, because that's the app that enables remote control.
Download and open the camera app on the watch
First, make sure your smartwatch has the correct app. Just open the Google Play Store on the watch and search for the Google Camera app. Once downloaded, you'll see it in your device's app list, ready to use as a remote control for your phone's camera.
When you want to take a photo, turn on the watch screen if it is off and swipe up To view the installed applications, the option should appear among them. CameraWhen you touch it, the watch will attempt to connect to the phone and activate the remotely control your mobile phone cameraOn the smartwatch screen you will see the preview image and a large shutter button in the center.
Take photos with a timer from Wear OS
By default, the Google Camera app on the watch usually activates a 3 second automatic timerThis means that when you press the shutter button on the watch, the phone's camera will wait those three seconds before taking the photo, giving you time to position yourself or for everyone to get into the frame.
If you want to adjust this behavior, you can change the timer directly from the camera app on your watch. You'll see an icon or shortcut to it in the interface. menu; when you touch it, you have the option of with a timerThere you can choose between 3 seconds, 10 seconds, or turn off the timer so that the photo is taken immediately when you press the capture button.
Zoom control and switching between front and rear cameras
In addition to basic shooting, the Google Camera app on Wear OS includes a slider that allows zoom in or zoom out without touching your phone. To zoom in, simply move the slider upwards on the watch screen, while to zoom out and see more of the scene, you move it. down.
You also have an option to quickly switch between the phone's main and selfie cameras. Within the watch's camera app menu, there's an entry called Camera, from which you can switch to rear camera to front camera and vice versa without needing to touch anything on the smartphone. This makes it very convenient to switch from a group photo to a selfie in seconds.
Samsung Galaxy Watch and mobile camera control
Samsung has heavily invested in using the watch as a remote control for the phone's camera, both in the latest Wear OS models and older Tizen models. However, there's a significant limitation: the official remote control function is designed for Galaxy phones of the brand itself, forming what Samsung calls its “ecosystem”.
If you have a Galaxy Watch (including Galaxy Watch 4, 5, 6, 7 and variants) and a compatible Samsung Galaxy mobile phoneYou'll usually find an app called Camera or Camera Control on your watch. If it doesn't appear, you can go to the Galaxy Store from the watch or from the mobile and download the corresponding module to enable remote shooting.
Use the Samsung camera controller
Once installed, the process is quite simple: you open the application of Camera control on the Galaxy Watch The watch automatically connects to the phone's camera. On the watch screen, you'll see a preview of the image, along with a shutter button and, depending on the model, some additional icons for adjusting basic settings.
One of the most practical functions is being able to switch between front and rear camera by sliding your finger upwards on the watch, making it easy to switch from selfie mode to the main camera without having to touch your smartphone. You can also set timers to have a few seconds' margin before the capture.
After taking the photo, a [image/image] may appear on your Galaxy Watch. Preview of the newly taken image directly on the watch screen. This way you can check at a glance if the shot turned out well or if it needs to be repeated, without having to look at your phone's gallery each time.
Can a Galaxy Watch be used as a simple universal Bluetooth remote?
A very common question is whether the Galaxy Watch can be configured to act as a "Generic" Bluetooth trigger, like those small selfie controllers that only send the order to press the camera button, without depending on the mobile phone brand or specific apps.
In practice, with Samsung's standard software you can't transform the watch into a universal Bluetooth remote that controls the native camera of any mobile phone No intermediaries. The Galaxy Watch is designed to work with its own camera app and ecosystem, especially with Galaxy phones, so if your phone is from another brand (for example, Vivo, Xiaomi, etc.) and you want to continue using the original camera app, the official options are very limited.
In these cases, it is often necessary to resort to third-party applications which act as a bridge, even if that means switching camera apps on your phone. Later you'll see some alternatives like Camera One that allow you to significantly expand the compatibility with other Android phonesbut always at the cost of using their own camera software.
Huawei watches and remote control with EMUI
Huawei also offers the ability to control the phone's camera from the watch, but, as with Samsung, this feature is closely tied to its own ecosystem. Specifically, remote camera control is primarily activated when you combine a Huawei watch with a Huawei phone that uses EMUI or HarmonyOS, depending on the model.
In these cases, you can open a camera control app from the watch that takes care of activate the phone's camera and display the preview (when the model supports it). You usually have a shutter button, a configurable timer and basic options to view the photo result directly on the smartwatch screen.
Just like in the Google and Samsung ecosystems, the goal is for you to be able to take photos without touching the phonePerfect for portraits, group photos, and scenes where the phone is propped up or mounted on a tripod. The downside is that this integration usually only works when all devices are from the same platform. Huawei ecosystemTherefore, if you use a mobile phone from another brand, the chances are drastically reduced.
Apple Watch and the remote camera experience with iPhone
If you use an iPhone, the Apple Watch offers one of the more comprehensive remote camera control experiences of the market. The watch does not have a built-in camera, but it comes with a native app called Camera or Camera Control that serves directly as a remote control for the iPhone camera, with many advanced features.
To use it, simply locate the camera app within the list of apps on your Apple Watch and tap it. It will automatically open. iPhone cameraAnd on the watch, you'll see a small preview of what the phone's sensor is seeing. From there, you can control the shutter and various settings without touching your phone.
Key features of the Apple Watch remote control
One of the first options you'll see is the with a timerThe Apple Watch lets you activate a countdown timer, giving you a few seconds to position yourself correctly in the scene before the iPhone takes the photo. Ideal for group photos or portraits where you're also in the shot.
Additionally, when you take a photo, the iPhone usually performs a multi shotIn other words, it captures several images in quick succession so you can later choose the best one. This reduces the risk of someone appearing with their eyes closed or in a blurry shot, and all of this is handled seamlessly when using the watch as a shutter release.
Options such as the Apple Watch can also be controlled directly from the Apple Watch. HDR (high dynamic range), the activation or deactivation of Live Photos and, depending on the model, even the type of lens when the iPhone has multiple cameras. The watch thus becomes a kind of quick control panel for the phone's camera.
Another very convenient trick is to use the Apple Watch digital crown for zoomingBy turning it to one side or the other, you can zoom in or out without pinching the iPhone screen, which is especially useful when you have your phone on a tripod or resting on a surface and don't want to move it.
Turn any smartwatch into a remote control: Wear OS, Tizen and more
Beyond the official solutions from each brand, many users want to know if it's possible turn virtually any smartwatch into a remote control of the mobile phone camera, even when they are not from the same manufacturer or are not part of the same ecosystem.
In the case of Wear OSWe've already seen that Google's official Camera Remote is heavily focused on specific combinations, especially with Pixel phones and some compatible Android devices. However, Wear OS watches can also be used. pair with countless mobile phonesThis opens the door to using third-party applications that attempt to cover this lack of universal integration.
In watches with TizenAs with the older Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and earlier models, the idea is similar: there's an official camera controller when using a Galaxy phone, but for other phones you'll have to resort to [the external camera app]. Specific apps that act as a bridgeThe experience is usually somewhat less polished than with native solutions, but at least they allow you to trigger the camera and, in some cases, see the preview.
Third-party apps to control your mobile phone's camera
When the combination of watch and mobile phone doesn't fit into any manufacturer's ecosystem, the third-party applications They become a lifeline for achieving minimal remote camera control from your wrist. There are several that have become quite popular in the Android and Wear OS app stores.
A frequently cited example is Camera RemoteAn application designed to provide remote camera control on a wide variety of smartwatches and mobile phones. Its main strength is the compatibility with multiple systems like Wear OS and Tizen, and with many different watch brands, which is very useful when your smartwatch doesn't come with an official camera app or when your phone isn't the same brand.
However, Camera Remote and similar tools aren't magic: they usually offer a relatively basic set of features compared to the native apps from major manufacturers. In many cases, you have access to the remote triggering, zoom, timer, and camera switching...plus some extra settings like the flash. In return, the handling is quite... intuitive and without complicated menuswhich helps to avoid getting lost among too many options.
In the description of these applications, such as Camera Remote, it is important to review the list of compatible watchesThis section typically indicates which models work well and which have limitations. Keep in mind that some smartwatches don't support full pairing or real-time video streaming, so in certain configurations you might only have the shutter button without a preview.
Another known name is CameraOneRecommended if you use, for example, a Galaxy Watch but your phone isn't a Samsung. This app allows the watch to... remotely control photos on other brands' mobile phonesThis avoids the restrictions of the Galaxy ecosystem. Again, the trick is that you'll have to use the Camera One camera app on your phone, not the manufacturer's native app, which means a slight change in habits.
In general, these third-party solutions can save you in many situations, but they almost always involve give up the original camera app of the phone or accept that you will only have a more limited set of functions than with the official integrations of each brand.
Watches with built-in cameras and special accessories
Although major manufacturers have abandoned the idea of putting cameras directly into smartwatches, the market hasn't been completely devoid of them. There are certain more niche models and specific accessories that focus precisely on that: carrying a camera on your wrist for photos and video without relying so much on your phone.
One of the most striking examples is the Wristcam for Apple WatchA special strap that adds two cameras (one 8MP and one 2MP) to the Apple Watch. This accessory allows you to take photos and videos without directly using the iPhone, although it still needs the phone for some processing. It's a powerful solution, but not exactly cheapand it also adds volume to the watch + strap set.
Among the less conventional brands we find models like the Kospet Prime 2, which incorporates a rotating 13 MP camera designed to be used as both a front and rear camera, or the LEMFO LEM Twith a 5MP lens integrated into a rather wide body. They are curious devices that offer photo and video capabilities directly from the watchbut they sacrifice refinement in design, weight, comfort and, in many cases, software quality.
In practice, these camera watches tend to be bulkier and less stylish than models from Apple, Samsung, or Garmin, and their long-term support is... more uncertainTherefore, for most users it still makes more sense to take advantage of the Mobile phone camera (much better) and use the smartwatch as a remote control, instead of trying to get the watch to take all the photos by itself.
Other photography-related functions on the smartwatch
Although the remote camera is the star attraction, smartwatches can also offer other interesting photography-related functions, even without their own lens. Many watch faces allow you to use them. personal photos as backgroundthus displaying images from your gallery or cloud services directly on the watch screen.
In some models, it is also possible View photos you receive in notifications (for example, images sent via messaging or email), which turns the smartwatch into a small window into your media library. There are also watches and apps that allow you to explore certain synchronized albums with your mobile phone, so you can show off photos without taking your phone out of your pocket.
Finally, many platforms acknowledge that the watch can serve as a bridge for share media From your mobile device, it displays suggestions for sending recent photos to frequent contacts or social networks. While these functions don't replace the camera, they complement the overall experience and reinforce the smartwatch's role as a photography companion.
Taken together, this entire ecosystem of features demonstrates that the true potential of a smartwatch lies not in having its own camera, but in Take advantage of the power of your mobile phone's camera with a convenient remote controlAdapted to each brand and system, and enhanced by third-party apps for less "official" combinations, this makes it much easier to take stable, creative, and unhurried photos with your wrist as the controller, no matter what kind of scene you want to capture. Share the information and more users will learn about the topic.
