Yo team — drop everything because Apple just added Camera Remote to AirPods in iOS 26, and it is going to change how you take group photos forever! Instead of the awkward timer dance where you run back to a selfie, you can now use your AirPods as a wireless shutter button while anyone else holds the phone. The catch is that only newer models get this — AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, or AirPods Max 2; if you're still rocking first-gen Pros, sorry pal, they don't support it. You have to actually wear them for it to work (at least one in your ear), and when the Camera app is open, pressing on the stem — or spinning the Digital Crown on the Max — takes a photo or starts/stops video instantly!

But there’s always a trade-off with Apple's new features: you have to choose between two modes. If you set it to Press Once, media controls and Siri don't work while Camera is open; if you go with Press and Hold, listening mode and Siri are disabled instead. It means your AirPods temporarily lose their smart features the moment you start shooting — which still feels like a compromise but I can live with it for that perfect group shot! The path from "10-second timer run" to "click on my stem while everyone's posing" is pure magic and honestly makes every other remote method feel ancient.

Source: https://www.engadget.com/2193237/airpods-control-iphone-camera-how-to/