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How to Use the Selfie Timer and Burst Mode on iPhone

Use the iPhone timer to get into a selfie or Burst mode to capture quick alternatives and choose your favorite frames.
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Use the iPhone Camera timer when you need time to join a selfie; use Burst when you want a quick series of frames to choose from. These are separate camera controls: set a 3-, 5-, or 10-second countdown before taking a timed photo, or swipe and hold the shutter to capture a Burst.

Take a selfie with the timer

  1. Open the Camera app and switch to the front-facing camera.

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  2. Reveal the camera controls by tapping the Camera Controls button or swiping up from the camera modes at the bottom of the screen.

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  3. Tap Timer, then choose 3 s, 5 s, or 10 s. Apple describes the timer as a way to give yourself time to get in the shot: Apple’s iPhone camera guide.

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  4. Tap the Shutter button. The countdown starts; get into position before it finishes.

  5. To turn the timer off, reopen the camera controls, tap Timer, then choose the off control.

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For a hands-free composition, frame the shot with the iPhone placed somewhere sturdy before starting the countdown. A phone tripod or stable phone stand can help, but neither is required and Apple does not endorse a particular product.

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Take a selfie in Burst mode

  1. Open Camera, switch to the front-facing camera, and select Photo mode.

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  2. Swipe the Shutter button to the left and keep holding it to capture a rapid series of photos.

  3. Lift your finger to stop.

  4. Open the Burst thumbnail, tap the burst count, choose the individual photos you want to keep, then tap Done. Gray dots below thumbnails indicate photos Apple suggests keeping.

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Burst works with both the front- and rear-facing cameras. On supported settings, you can also use the volume-up button: enable Settings > Camera > Use Volume Up for Burst first. See Apple’s Burst mode instructions.

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Timer or Burst: which should you use?

Camera control Best for How to start What happens next
Timer Getting yourself into a hands-free shot Choose a countdown, then tap the Shutter button The camera takes a photo after the countdown
Burst Capturing several quick alternatives Swipe the Shutter button left and hold Lift your finger to stop, then select frames to keep

Apple documents these as separate actions; its instructions do not establish a workflow that combines a countdown timer with Burst. Don’t assume that setting the timer will trigger a burst.

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If you can’t find a control

Camera controls can look different across iPhone models and software versions. If Timer is not visible, tap the Camera Controls button or swipe up from the camera modes to reveal the camera tools. The placement or availability of controls may vary; Apple’s selfie and timer guide and Burst guide describe the documented workflows.

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