Using Third-Party Camera Apps on iPhone Lock Screen with iOS 18

iOS 18 brings a new feature that allows iPhone users to replace the default camera app on the lock screen with a third-party app of their choice. This is a game changer for users who prefer alternative camera apps like Halide or Obscura for their manual controls and unique image processing capabilities.

• With iOS 18, you can now have a custom shortcut for your preferred camera app on the lock screen, granting quick access to your chosen camera app without having to unlock your iPhone.

Setting Up Third-Party Camera Shortcuts

Setting up a third-party camera shortcut on the lock screen of your iPhone involves a simple process that can be completed in a few steps.

• To begin, long press on your lock screen wallpaper to enter lock screen customization mode.
• In customization mode, delete the default camera icon from the lock screen. This will leave an empty space with a "+" sign.
• Tap the "+" sign to access a menu containing all available shortcuts.
• Select the shortcut for either Halide or Obscura, or any other third-party camera app you have installed on your iPhone.
• Press "Done" to save the selected shortcut as your default lock screen camera or "Add" to create a new lock screen with this shortcut.

Using the Third-Party Camera Shortcut

Once you've set up a shortcut for your third-party camera app, you can access it directly from the lock screen of your iPhone. Simply tap the shortcut, and the screen will fade to black before launching your preferred camera app. To return to the lock screen, simply swipe up.

Limitations of the Feature

While this feature offers convenience and flexibility for iPhone users, it's essential to be aware of a couple of limitations:

• For privacy reasons, accessing your photo library from the camera screen is currently unavailable. Tapping the photo library icon will redirect you to the full-fledged camera app, granting access to your camera roll.
• Opening a third-party camera app from the lock screen might take an extra second or two compared to the default iPhone camera app. This is a minor inconvenience that users might experience.

Additional Tips and Information

Here are some additional tips and information to consider:

• If you prefer to keep the default iPhone camera app on your lock screen, you can still add shortcuts for Halide, Obscura, or other camera apps in the redesigned Control Center. Access the Control Center by swiping down from the top of the display.
• This feature is exclusive to iOS 18 and is not available on previous versions of iOS.

Conclusion

The ability to replace the default camera app on the lock screen with a third-party app is a welcomed addition to iOS 18. It streamlines the process of capturing photos with your preferred camera app, providing greater flexibility and convenience to iPhone users. This feature underscores Apple's commitment to enhancing user experience and granting users more control over their devices.