Modern smartphones based on Android equipped with several cameras - main, front, wide-angle, telephoto and even macro lenses. But not all users know how to quickly switch between them, especially if the camera app interface is unintuitive. In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to change the camera on Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other devices - from basic gestures to hidden settings.

The problem is complicated by the fact that manufacturers often change the location of the buttons in the firmware. For example, in MIUI 14 switching cameras was moved to a separate menu, and in One UI 6 a swipe gesture was added. We have collected current methods that work on most devices, including budget models with a simplified interface.

1. Standard method: switch button in the camera app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in button in the camera app. Usually it looks like an icon with two arrows or a miniature of another camera. On Samsung Galaxy it is a round button with an arrow, on Xiaomi Redmi it is a square with the inscription 0.6x (wide-angle) or 2x (zoom).

To change the camera:

  • 📱 Open the application Camera (standard or from the manufacturer).
  • 🔍 Find the switch button - it can be at the top, bottom or side of the screen.
  • 🔄 Press it once to switch between the main and front cameras, or hold to select other lenses (if any).
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On some smartphones (for example Google Pixel 7), the switch button appears only after the first touch of the screen. Tap anywhere to open the interface.

If there is no button, check if it is hidden in the additional menu. For example, in Realme UI you need to click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner to expand the lens panel.

2. Gestures and swipes for quick switching

Many manufacturers add hidden gesturesto speed up camera changes. This is especially convenient if you shoot a video or take a selfie and don’t want to look for a button.

Popular gestures:

  • 👆 Double tap across the screen - on some Huawei and Honor switches between main and front camera.
  • 👉 Swipe up/down - in One UI (Samsung) swipe on the side panel switches lenses.
  • 🌀 Circular motion with two fingers - in Oppo ColorOS opens the camera menu.

To find out if your smartphone supports gestures, go to the camera settings and find the section Gesture control or Quick actions. There you can enable or disable these functions.

📊 Which camera do you use most often?
Main
Front (selfie)
Wide-angle
Telephoto (zoom)
Macro

3. Switching through the quick settings panel

Some firmware (for example, MIUI or Flyme OS) allow you to switch cameras through quick settings panel, which appears when you swipe down from the top edge of the screen. This works even if the camera application is minimized.

Instructions:

  1. Open Camera and swipe down from the top edge of the screen to bring up the notification panel.
  2. Find the camera icon (usually next to the flashlight and mobile data).
  3. Tap on it - a menu with a choice of lenses will open.

If there is no icon, you can add it manually:

  1. Click on the pencil (✏️) in the panel notifications.
  2. Find the tile Camera or Switch camera and drag it to the active area.
What to do if the camera tile not displayed?

On some smartphones (for example, Nokia or Motorola with pure Android) this function is disabled by default. Try installing a third-party camera application, for example Open Camera, where switching is implemented via a widget.

4. Voice commands and assistants

If your hands are full, you can switch cameras using voice commands. This works via Google Assistant, Bixby (on Samsung) or Alice (on smartphones with Yandex services).

Examples of commands:

  • 🎤 «Okay Google, take a selfie" - will automatically open the front camera.
  • 🎤 «Hey Bixby, switch to the main camera" - will work on Galaxy S23 and newer.
  • 🎤 «Alice, turn on the wide-angle camera" - on devices with pre-installed Yandex.

To set up voice control:

  1. Open settings Google Assistant or another assistant.
  2. Go to the section Commands or Shortcuts.
  3. Add a new command, for example: "Change camera" → action "Open camera (selfie)».
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Voice control only works when the screen is unlocked and the Internet is on (for processing commands on Google/Yandex servers).

5. Third-party camera applications with advanced functions

If the standard camera application is not satisfactory, you can install alternative apps from Google Play. They often offer more options for switching lenses, including:

  • 📌 Open Camera - supports all smartphone cameras, including macro and telephoto, with manual selection.
  • 📌 Footage - professional application with quick switching via swipe.
  • 📌 Camera MX - has a widget for the notification panel with camera selection.

Example of settings in Open Camera:

  1. Install the application and open it.
  2. Tap on the icon ⚙️ (settings) → Camera control.
  3. Enable the option Show all cameras.
  4. Now swiping left/right on the screen will switch lenses.

The advantage of third-party applications is that they often work even on outdated smartphones, where the manufacturer has stopped updating the standard camera.

Download the application only from the official store (Google Play)

Check reviews and ratings (not lower than 4.0)

Make sure that the application supports your smartphone model

Give all necessary permissions (camera, microphone, storage)-->

6. Switching cameras in video or live broadcast mode

During video recording or live streaming, switching cameras may work differently. For example, in the standard application Camera on Samsung the lens change button is locked to avoid accidental pressing. In this case:

  • 🎥 Stop recording, switch the camera, then start shooting again.
  • 🔄 Use double tap gesture (if supported).
  • 📱 Install a third-party application, for example Filmic Pro, where switching is allowed during recording.

For streams in YouTube, TikTok or Instagram:

  • 📲 S Instagram Stories swipe up/down on the screen switches cameras.
  • 🎬 B TikTok click on the camera icon in the upper right corner.
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If you often shoot videos with switching cameras, enable the option in the application settings "Smooth transition" (if available). This will make changing lenses less abrupt.

7. Problems and solutions: why the camera does not switch

Sometimes switching cameras may not work. Considerable reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problem Possible cause Solution
The switch button is inactive The camera is occupied by another application Close all apps that use the camera (Zoom, Snapchat, etc.)
The smartphone does not respond to gestures Gestures are disabled in the settings Check Settings → System → Gestures
When switching, the screen flickers or hangs Camera driver failure Reboot the device or reset the camera settings
No wide-angle camera option The lens is disabled in the settings Go to Camera settings → Additional lenses

If the problem persists, try:

  • 🔧 Clear cache camera applications (Settings → Applications → Camera → Memory → Clear cache).
  • 🔄 Update firmware —sometimes bugs are fixed in new software versions.
  • 📱 Reset camera settings to factory settings (in the application menu).
What to do if the camera does not turn on at all?

This may be a hardware problem (damaged cable or lens). Check if the camera is working. safe mode (hold the power button → “Safe Mode”). If yes, third-party software is to blame. If not, contact the service center.

8. Hidden functions: how to make the most of all cameras

Manufacturers often hide additional camera capabilities Here. several life hacks:

  • 🔍 Double Exposure mode (on Samsung): allows you to shoot simultaneously with the main and front camera, overlaying images.
  • 🎞️ Simultaneous recording from two cameras (on FilmoraGo or CapCut): useful for bloggers.
  • 📏 Manual selection of focal length (in Pro mode): for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra you can manually switch between 23mm, 75mm and 120mm.

On some smartphones (for example, Google Pixel 6 Pro) in the “Eraser Magic” mode, the telephoto camera is automatically used for better zoom quality - even if you did not switch to it manually.

To open hidden settings:

  1. Open the application Camera.
  2. Tap on the gear (⚙️) or three dots (⋮).
  3. Look for sections like Advanced, Professional mode or Lab.
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Not all cameras are available in third-party applications. For example, on Huawei P60 Pro the macro lens only works in a standard camera.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about switching cameras on Android

Is it possible to switch cameras during a video call in WhatsApp or Zoom?

Yes, but the method depends on applications:

  • In WhatsApp click on the camera icon in the upper right corner.
  • In Zoom tap on the three dots (⋮) → Switch camera.

If there is no option, try using virtual camera through applications like DroidCam.

Why is there no wide-angle camera on my smartphone, although it should be?

Possible reasons:

  • The manufacturer disabled it programmatically (for example, on budget models Samsung Galaxy A).
  • The camera is physically damaged (check in the service menu: type #0# and see the camera test).
  • A simplified version of the smartphone was sold in your region (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 For India may have a different set of cameras).
How to make the camera open by default on selfies?

It depends on the firmware:

  • On Samsung: Camera settings → Save settings → Camera by default → Front.
  • On Xiaomi: hold the camera icon on the desktop → Shortcut settings → Open front camera.
  • On pure Android: use the widget Open Camera with pre-selection of the lens.
Is it possible to use smartphone cameras as a webcam for a PC and switch between them?

Yes, using applications DroidCam or Iriun Webcam:

  1. Install the application on your phone and PC.
  2. Connect devices via Wi-Fi or USB.
  3. In settings DroidCam select which camera to broadcast (main or front).
  4. In Zoom/Skype select DroidCam as source video.

Switching between cameras will be available directly in the interface DroidCam on a PC.

Why does the camera take a long time to focus when switching to telephoto?

This is normal for lenses with optical zoom (for example, on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or iQOO 11).Telephoto cameras have:

  • Larger focal length, so they need more time to adjust.
  • Smaller aperture, due to which focusing slows down in dark conditions.

To speed up process:

  • Point the camera at a contrasting object.
  • Turn on Night mode (if it is dark).
  • Use Manual focusing in Pro mode.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (for example, Oppo Find X6 or Vivo X90) switching between the main and telephoto cameras occurs automatically depending on the zoom level. If you need to force the use of a specific lens, turn on Pro mode and select the focal length manually.
⚠️ Attention: The camera interface and button layout may differ depending on the firmware version. For example, in One UI 5.1 (2023) the switch button was on the left, and in One UI 6.0 (2026) it was moved up. Before using the instructions, check the current version of the software in the phone settings.