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The headline doesn’t name its setting, so the most likely candidate is Quick access controls. It lets you pin up to four frequently used camera controls to the viewfinder, two on the left and two on the right, so you can reach them without opening menus each time. If that isn’t the setting you had in mind, the sections below cover the other options Google documents for the Pixel Camera app, including RAW capture, location stamping, gridlines and the hands-free palm timer.
How to turn on Quick access controls
Google’s Pixel Camera help describes this setting under the Photo settings menu. Menu labels can shift slightly between Pixel models and Camera app versions, so match the wording on your screen to the path below.
- Open the Camera app and go to Photo settings.
- Tap More, then select Quick access controls.
- Turn on Quick access controls.
- Open the viewfinder by tapping it. The shortcuts appear on screen.
- To move a shortcut, touch and hold it, then drag it to a new position.
The feature is capped at four controls. Two sit on the left side of the viewfinder and two on the right. The controls only appear after you tap the viewfinder, so they don’t clutter the preview when you’re framing a shot.
Quick access controls is a convenience feature. Google’s documentation doesn’t claim it changes image quality, so don’t expect sharper or better-exposed photos from enabling it. Its value is speed: you reach the controls you use most in one tap.
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Other settings that could be the one you meant
Several Pixel Camera settings are easy to overlook, and each solves a different problem. The table compares them by where they live and what they change.
| Setting | Where to find it | What it changes | Limits and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick access controls | Photo settings > More > Quick access controls | Up to four shortcuts on the viewfinder | Appears after you tap the viewfinder; convenience only, not an image-quality setting |
| Launch mode | Photo settings > More > Launch mode | Sets which mode opens when Camera launches | The same mode also opens with the double-press power-button shortcut |
| RAW + JPEG | More settings > Advanced: enable RAW/JPEG control, then enable RAW + JPEG in photo mode | Saves a RAW file alongside each JPEG | Google says the first enabling step is not required on Pixel 8 Pro; RAW is a separate editing workflow, not an automatic upgrade |
| Save location | More settings > Save location | Controls whether location information is attached to photos | Can be turned off; when on, location can accompany the photo |
| Grid type | More settings > Grid type | Shows gridlines to help with composition | Photo ratio options listed are Wide crop (16:9) and Full image (4:3) |
Launch mode
If the app keeps opening in a mode you don’t use, Launch mode is the fix. The mode you choose here also applies when you open Camera with the double-press power-button shortcut, so a change affects both routes.
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RAW and JPEG capture
RAW + JPEG saves an unprocessed RAW file next to each JPEG. It gives you more room for editing, but it also means more files to manage. Turn it on only if you plan to edit photos in a dedicated app. Enabling RAW/JPEG control is the first step on most models; check your own phone’s menus after that.
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Save location and privacy
Location tagging is controlled by More settings > Save location. Turning it off stops location information from accompanying new photos. This is worth checking if you share pictures publicly.
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Gridlines and photo ratios
Grid type in More settings overlays gridlines to help align horizons and subjects. Pair it with a photo ratio: Wide crop (16:9) or Full image (4:3).
Hands-free selfies with the palm timer
Google documents three hands-free options for selfies: the camera timer, the palm timer and Google Assistant. The palm timer is available on Pixel 6 and later, including Pixel Fold. To use it:
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- The camera timer must be turned on.
- Your face and a fully visible open palm must both be in the frame.
- No tripod is required for this method, though a stable surface helps when the phone is set down.
Low-light shots and keeping the phone steady
Google says low light can produce dark, grainy or blurry photos. Its recommended fix is Night Sight, and it advises keeping both the subject and the camera still during the exposure. Where possible, place the Pixel on a tripod or a stable, stationary surface. A tripod is optional: it steadies low-light and timer-based shooting but isn’t needed to enable any Camera setting in this article.
If photos still look poor
Settings won’t fix every problem. Google’s photo quality troubleshooting page suggests these checks:
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- Confirm the subject is in focus, and tap the subject in the viewfinder to set focus on it.
- Clean the lens with a soft, lint-free cloth. Smudges cause haze and softness that no setting can correct.
- Check for glare or flare when shooting toward strong light, and reposition yourself to reduce it.
Model and version differences
Feature availability depends on your Pixel model and the Camera app version. Check the exact label and path on your phone before assuming a setting is missing, and note that the Pixel Camera help pages I checked on 7 October 2026 don’t show a publication date. The primary source for the paths above is Google’s Pixel Camera Help page “Change your Camera app settings,” with related guidance in “Fix photo or video quality issues” and “Take a selfie on your Pixel phone or tablet.”
Quick Recap
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