Change the default Camera App on an iPhone
Update: iOS 18 will let you customize your iPhone’s lock screen camera button which will solve part of the issue!
So it took four years, but Apple will finally allow customization of the camera button in iOS 18! I’ll leave this page up because it won’t be publicly available until September. Also, this might still be useful for others on older iOS versions.
As a Boston Photographer, I prefer to use Halide but rarely open it because the Camera app icon on the lock screen is more convenient.
How to change your Lock Screen camera shortcut
In iOS 18, Apple has introduced a new feature that lets users customize their lock screen by changing the default camera app. This allows you to replace Apple’s default camera app with third-party apps like Halide or Obscura. Here’s how you can do it:
1. **Enter Lock Screen Customization Mode:** Long-press on your wallpaper to enter the lock screen customization mode. This mode gives you the option to edit your lock screen or create a new one.
2. **Remove the Default Camera Icon:** Delete the default lock screen camera icon. This will leave an empty spot with a “+” sign.
3. **Add a Third-Party Camera App Shortcut:** Tap the “+” sign to open a menu with a list of available shortcuts. If you have Halide or Obscura installed, you can select a shortcut for one of these apps from this menu.
4. **Save Your Changes:** After selecting your preferred camera app, hit “Done” to save it as your default lock screen setup. If you want to create a new alternative lock screen, hit “Add” instead.
5. **Use the New Camera Shortcut:** Once your shortcut is set up, pressing it on your lock screen will open the capture screen of your chosen third-party app. If you need to access Apple’s default camera app, you can still swipe right on the lock screen.
This feature offers greater flexibility and customization in how you use your iPhone’s camera functionality. It’s particularly useful for those who prefer using third-party apps with advanced features and controls.
Step-by-step instructions to change the default Camera App on your iPhone using Shortcuts
In iOS 13, Apple opened the iPhone so that users could select many default apps for things such as email and browsers. However, unfortunately, they do not allow you to choose your default camera app yet.
With the updates to the Shortcuts app in iOS 14 and especially iOS 14.1, we can seamlessly make any app our default camera app. Clicking on the camera icon on iPhone lock screen or dashboard can now open the app of your choice.
Recently I have been finding the delay for triggering this shortcut to be too long for it to be useful, but that may be caused by my older iPhone 12.
Open the “Shortcuts” App
It is used to automate actions on your phone
Select “Automation”
It is at the bottom of the screen
Tap the + sign
This starts the process of adding a new Automation
Tap “Create Personal Automation.”
Scroll down a little and select “App”
This will allow us to trigger the automation by opening the Camera App
Choose “Camera”
This will make opening the “Camera” app the trigger to our shortcut.
Select “Add Action”
When the shortcut is activated it will trigger these actions.
Select “Scripting”
It sounds scary but we will be triggering a very simple script.
Select “Open App”
The script will be to open an alternative Camera app.
Select “Choose” and find the alternative default camera app.
I chose Halide because it gives a lot of control, but any Camera app will work.
Voila! You are done. Now when you hit any of the Camera icons your new default camera App will open up!
I personally turn off the “Ask Before Running” because I want to be a transition as smooth as possible.
But you may want to be asked before opening your default Camera App, especially if you sometimes want to shoot video in the normal iOS Camera App.
