Phonewell
Open the camera in under a second
Quick-launch camera, step by step on Samsung, Pixel and Xiaomi phones.
Why it helps
Most good moments are gone by the time you unlock and find the camera app. A double press opens it straight away, even from the lock screen.
What you'll notice
Two quick presses of a button and the camera is ready to shoot.
When to use it
When something happens that you want to capture, then double-press the button.
How to set it up
Pick your phone.
Samsung Galaxy
- Settings
- Advanced features
- Side button
- Open Settings, then "Advanced features" and "Side button"
- Turn on "Double press"
- Choose "Quick launch camera"
- Try it: press the side button twice quickly
Based on reports from owners and the tech press. We have not yet checked it on a phone ourselves.
Google Pixel
- Settings
- System
- Gestures
- Open Settings, then "System" and "Gestures"
- Tap "Quickly open camera" (on newer versions, the double-press power button setting) and turn it on
- Try it: press the power button twice quickly
Taken from the phone maker's own help pages.
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO
- Settings
- Additional settings
- Gesture shortcuts
- Launch camera
- Open Settings, then "Additional settings" and "Gesture shortcuts"
- Tap "Launch camera"
- Choose "Double press Volume down button"
- Try it with the screen off
Based on reports from owners and the tech press. We have not yet checked it on a phone ourselves.
How to undo it
Switch the double-press option off in the same screen.
Labels can differ. Menu names and their order vary between models and can change with a system update. If a step doesn't match your phone, search Settings for the feature name or one of its other names: camera shortcut, double press power, double tap camera, side button camera.