Users of the VKontakte social network often encounter a situation where the shooting function becomes inaccessible or hidden from view. This can happen at the most inopportune moment: when trying to create a story, send a photo to a friend, or make a video call. On smartphones with an operating system Android the location of the camera button depends on the version of the application, the type of your account and the current privacy settings.
In this article we will look in detail at where exactly the camera icon is located in different sections of the messenger and news feed. You will learn how to return a missing function if it disappeared after an update, and what system restrictions may block access to the lens of your device.
The instructions cover both standard use cases and complex cases that require changing access rights in the system. We'll look at the actions for different versions of the interface, including the updated menu design and classic navigation structure.
Camera in the news and story creation section
The main place where users look for an opportunity to take a photo or record a video is the main news feed. In current versions of the application for Android the camera launch button is integrated into the field for creating a new entry. It usually looks like a small camera icon or a round icon with a camera silhouette located in the upper right corner of the screen or directly in the text input line “What's new?”
If you want to publish a story (story), the algorithm of actions is slightly different. You need to go to the “Services” tab or click on your avatar at the top of the feed. Here the interface prompts you to create a new story, and it is in this menu that the live broadcast mode from the camera is activated. Story creation interface provides access to filters, masks and editing tools in real time.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions or for certain types of accounts (for example, business pages without linking a personal profile) The story creation button may be hidden by the administrator or absent by default.
It is important to note that the layout of the elements may change depending on whether you are using a dark or light theme. In a dark theme, icons may blend into the background, so you should take a closer look at the controls in the top panel.
Taking and sending photos in private messages
In dialogues with friends and in group chats, the camera functionality is placed in a separate quick access block. When you open any chat, you will see a message input line at the bottom of the screen. To the left or right of it (depending on the interface version) there is a paperclip or plus sign icon. Clicking on this element opens the attachment menu, where the first option is often “Camera.”
However, in the latest updates, the developers have introduced a quick shooting function without unnecessary transitions. If you press and hold the microphone icon or the special camera icon next to the input field, the application will instantly switch to video or photo mode. This allows you to save time and send content in one click.
To send a photo without sound or a short video, click on the camera icon, take a photo and confirm sending. Basic editing tools are also available here: cropping, text overlay and finger drawing. Attachment menu in chats is one of the most frequently used sections of the application.
To quickly send a photo from a chat, try swiping right on the message input field - on some versions of Android, this action also opens the camera.
If the camera icon is missing in chat, check if the other person is blocked or if the privacy settings are too strict. In rare cases, if the connection is poor, the icon may not load, although technically the function remains available.
Setting access permissions in the Android system
Often the problem of the lack of a camera lies not in the VKontakte application itself, but in the operating system settings. Android has strict security policies that require explicit user permission for access to hardware modules. If you accidentally denied access during the first start or after updating the system, the camera in VK will not work.
To check and change the settings, you need to go to the system menu of your smartphone. Find the “Applications” section, select “VKontakte” in the list and go to the “Permissions” subsection. Here you should see a “Camera” option. Make sure the switch is in the active position.
The path to the settings may differ depending on your device model and the manufacturer's shell. Below is a table with approximate paths for popular brands:
| Smartphone brand | Path to settings | Interface features |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings → Applications → VKontakte → Permissions | Icon in the form of a shield |
| Xiaomi (MIUI) | Settings → Applications → All applications → VK → Permissions | Requires pop-up confirmation |
| Huawei/Honor | Settings → Applications → Application Manager → VK → Permissions | Can be called “Access Rights” |
After enabling the permission, it is recommended to completely close the VKontakte application (unload from RAM) and start it again. This is necessary for the changes to take effect and the camera module to be initialized correctly.
☑️ Checking access to the camera
Problems with the camera after updating the application
Social network developers regularly release updates that can change the menu structure or introduce errors in the operation of functions. If the camera disappeared after the update, most likely there was a cache conflict or a failure in loading interface resources. In such a situation, standard button search methods may not work.
First, try clearing the application cache. This action will not delete your personal data, conversations or saved photos, but it will reset temporary files that may cause display errors. Go to your phone settings, find the VKontakte application and select “Storage”, then click “Clear cache.”
If clearing the cache did not help, the application version itself may contain a bug. In such cases, it is worth checking for new updates in Google Play or, conversely, roll back to the previous stable version by downloading the installation file from a reliable source. Application cache often causes visual glitches.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of the VKontakte mobile application changes dynamically. Features can be moved, hidden in submenus, or temporarily disabled on the server side. Always check with official support sources if the standard paths do not work.
What to do if the update does not help?
Try to completely uninstall the application and install it again. Before doing this, make sure that you remember the login and password for your account, since deleting the data from the device will be erased.
Using the camera in video calls
A separate scenario for using the camera is video calls. Here the interface is radically different from the mode of creating stories or sending photos. The camera activation button is located directly on the active call screen. Usually this is a video camera icon, crossed out or not, depending on whether the broadcast of your image is currently turned on.
When you start an audio call, you can turn on the video at any time by clicking on the corresponding button. The application will ask you to confirm access to the camera if you have not previously provided it for calling mode. It is important to understand that permissions for chats and calls in some versions of Android can be adjusted separately.
If during a call you see a black screen instead of your image or the image of your interlocutor, the problem may be that the camera is occupied by another application. Close all background apps using the camera and try calling again. Video calls require a stable connection and free access to hardware resources.
For video calls, it is critical that no other application maintains access to the camera in the background.
Hidden functions and additional settings
Many users do not know that additional features are hidden inside the VKontakte camera interface. A long press on the shooting button can activate continuous video recording mode, and swiping across the screen while shooting changes filters. There is also an “Incognito” mode for viewing stories, which affects how the camera works when creating content.
In the settings of the camera section itself, you can select the shooting resolution, enable a grid for frame composition, or activate mirroring for the front camera. These options are located in the upper corner of the screen directly in the shooting interface and are indicated by a gear icon or sliders.
Sometimes users look for the camera in the “Clips” or “Live Broadcasts” section. The logic of work there is similar to stories, but the interface is adapted for horizontal or vertical video shooting with the ability to add music and stickers. Recommendation algorithms clips directly depend on the quality of the captured video.
Why does the camera in VK show a black screen?
A black screen most often indicates that access to the camera is blocked at the system level or the device cannot initialize the driver. Check the permissions in the Android settings and reboot your phone.
Is it possible to use an external camera via VK on your phone?
It is impossible to connect an external USB camera to a smartphone for use in VK using standard application tools. The application only works with the built-in camera modules of the device.
How to return the old version of the VKontakte camera?
You can return the old camera interface only by installing the previous version of the application (rollback). However, this is not recommended due to security risks and possible unstable operation of the server part.
Does the power saving mode affect the operation of the camera in VK?
Yes, the hard power saving mode can limit the operation of background processes and access to equipment, which is why the camera may not start or work with delays.
Where can I find the video quality settings in the VK camera?
Quality settings are usually available in the menu of the camera itself (gear icon) before starting recording or in the general application settings in the "General" → "Video Quality" section.