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Use Apple Watch’s built-in Camera Remote app to preview and control your iPhone camera: open Camera Remote on the Watch, frame the shot, then tap the shutter. You can adjust zoom with the Digital Crown, change exposure from the preview, and start video recording remotely.

Take a photo with Apple Watch

  1. Keep your iPhone and Apple Watch within Bluetooth range. Apple describes the normal range as about 33 feet (10 meters).

  2. Open the Camera Remote app on Apple Watch. The Watch displays a live view from the iPhone camera.

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  3. Position the iPhone and use the Watch preview to frame the shot. Turn the Digital Crown to zoom. Tap the key area of the preview to adjust exposure.

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  4. Tap the shutter button. By default, the camera waits three seconds before taking the photo.

Apple recommends placing the iPhone on a stable surface or using a tripod to keep it steady. A tripod is optional; a secure surface works too, including for group shots and hands-free photos.

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  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.

Change the camera and timer options

In Camera Remote, tap More Options to choose the front or rear camera, set flash and Live Photo to Auto, On, or Off, and turn the three-second timer on or off. If you want a photo without the default delay, switch the timer off there.

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Record video remotely

  1. Open Camera Remote on Apple Watch and frame the scene in its preview.

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  2. Touch and hold the shutter until recording begins.

  3. Tap Stop on the Watch when you want to finish recording.

Find your photos and videos

You can review captured photos and videos in Camera Remote on the Watch. They are saved to the Photos app on the iPhone.

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  • A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
  • KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
  • GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
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If the remote does not work

  • Check distance: Move the devices closer together and keep them within normal Bluetooth range.

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  • Check the preview: Make sure the iPhone is positioned where its camera can see the intended scene, then reframe from the Watch.

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    Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
    • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
    • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
    • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
    • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
    • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
  • Check the timer: If the shutter seems delayed, remember that a three-second timer is enabled by default; change it under More Options.

  • Stabilize the iPhone: Set it on a stable surface or secure it on a tripod to reduce movement while taking the shot or recording.

Apple’s guide does not specify a minimum iPhone or Apple Watch model or operating-system version for this workflow, so check the current device support information if Camera Remote is unavailable on your setup.

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