You can trigger the camera on your phone in different ways. To see your photos, tap the image in the corner of your screen.
You can take different types of photos, including motion photos, photos in low or minimal light, or portraits.
Pick how to take a photo
With your hand- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- Point your camera and wait for it to focus and expose.
- Zoom: Pinch open or closed on your screen, double tap the screen, or use the slider at the bottom.
Tip: When you take a picture from far away, zoom into your subject first to capture the most details. - Auto-focus: To focus on the subject of your photo, point your camera at the subject, then wait until your camera focuses. To lock the focus and exposure on a moving subject, tap Lock
.
Note: If you have accessibility features turned on, double-tap your screen to focus on and expose the subject of your photo. - Swap between your back and front cameras: Tap Switch
or twist your phone twice. Learn about gestures on your phone.
- Zoom: Pinch open or closed on your screen, double tap the screen, or use the slider at the bottom.
- Tap Capture
.
- Say "OK Google, take a picture," or "OK Google, take a selfie."
Optional: Have the camera wait before taking the photo. For example, "OK Google, take a picture in 12 seconds." You can tell the camera to wait 3—30 seconds. - Your Camera app will open and take a photo.
- Set up your watch with your phone. Learn how to set up your watch.
- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- On your watch, swipe up from the bottom of your screen until you see the Remote card.
- To take a photo, tap the shutter button on your watch.
- Your watch will vibrate and flash.
- You’ll see a thumbnail of the photo on your watch.
Tip: You can get more details or take action on your photos. Find out how to use Google Lens.
Take different types of photos
Take a selfie- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- To swap to your front camera, tap Switch
.
- Tap Capture
.
If you have a Pixel 3, you can use the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the angle and fit your friends in the shot.
Quickly switch to the front camera for a selfie: Twist your phone twice. Twist twice again to switch to your back camera. Learn how to turn gestures on or off.
Change how selfies are saved: Choose to save your selfies as mirrored or non-mirrored. At the top, tap the Down arrow
Settings
Save selfie as previewed.
- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- Tap Portrait.
- Tap Capture
.
To see the enhanced version, tap the photo in the bottom right corner of the screen.
To compare the original and the enhanced versions, swipe between the 2 small photos below the image.
To take videos with characters and objects in them:
- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how to open your camera app.
- Tap More
Playground.
- Tap Stickers
Playmoji or Stickers.
- Playmoji are 3D characters.
- Stickers are 2D characters.
- Pick a Playmoji or sticker.
- To download new Playmoji, tap Install.
- Tap, hold, and drag a Playmoji or sticker to where you want it. In selfies, characters react and move around on their own.
- Add text: Tap Text
.
- Change the size of an object: Tap the object. Then pinch your fingers open or closed. In selfies, characters react and move around on their own
- Remove an object: Tap an object
Delete
.
- See a different collection: Tap Stickers
.
- Add text: Tap Text
- Tap Capture
.
To stop Playground, tap Close .
To take a photo that contains a short video.
- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- At the top of the screen, tap the Down arrow
Motion on
.
- Tap Capture
.
To see your motion photo, tap the small photo at the bottom right. If needed, at the top, tap Play motion photo .
To save the motion photo as a video, tap More
Export
Video
Export.
Tip: If you have a Pixel 3a, when you're done taking motion photos, tap the Down arrow
Motion off
.
- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- Tap Night Sight.
- Tap Capture photo
.
- Hold still for a few seconds until the photo is captured.
To stop using Night Sight, tap Close .
You can take photos of the night sky on your Pixel 4, 3a, or 3. For best results, use a Pixel 4, travel away from the city lights, and start shoot 90 minutes or more after sunset.
To take a photo:
- Go to a very dark area.
- Prop your phone on a steady surface, like a rock or tripod.
- When your phone is perfectly still, tap Capture
.
- Don’t touch your phone until it’s done taking photos. Your phone will show a countdown timer.
- Optional: To stop taking a photo, tap Stop
.
To turn on Frequent Faces:
- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- At the top, tap the Down arrow
Settings
Frequent Faces.
- Turn on Frequent Faces.
Open your camera and take photos | Pixel
Save new shots from your motion photos & videos with Top Shot
When you take a motion photo or quick video of a friend or a group, your Pixel 4, 3a, or 3 will sometimes recommend another shot from your photo or video. You can also pick your favorite shot.
- Open your Google Camera app
. Learn how.
- At the top of the screen, tap the Down arrow
Motion off
or Motion auto
.
- Tap Motion on
.
- Take a photo or video:
- To take a photo, tap Capture
.
- To take a video, touch and hold Capture
.
- To take a photo, tap Capture
- Open your photo or video and swipe up.
- Tap Shots in this photo or Shots in this video.
- Scroll through the shots and pick your favorite.
Recommended shots are saved in higher resolution and in HDR. They have a white dot over them.
Tip: If you have a Pixel 3a, when you're done taking motion photos, tap the Down arrow
Motion off
.
Change your photo options
You can adjust how you take photos by using the icons on your screen.
- To adjust brightness (Pixel 4 only): On the right, move Brightness
up or down
- To adjust shadows (Pixel 4 only): On the right, move Shadows
up or down
- To use a timer: Tap the Down arrow
a timer option: Automatic, 3 seconds, or 10 seconds
- To use gridlines to straighten photos: Tap the Down arrow
Settings
Grid type
- To change ratio: Tap the Down arrow
a ratio option: Wide crop or Full image
- To use a flash: Tap the Down arrow
Flash
- To brighten selfies: Tap the Down arrow
Selfie illumination
- To take a motion photo: Tap the Down arrow
Motion auto
or Motion on
- To retouch a selfie: Tap the Down arrow
a face retouching option: Natural or Smooth
Tip: The results of face retouching show only in the final photo.
To switch between the front (selfie) camera and rear camera, at the bottom of your screen, tap Switch camera .