The setting most likely behind a headline like this is Quick access controls. It puts up to four of your most-used camera controls on the viewfinder, so you stop digging through menus for them. Google’s Pixel Camera help does not label any single option as “hidden,” and the headline does not name a setting, so the rest of this article covers Quick access controls first and then the other settings that often cause the same frustration.
Which setting the headline most likely means
Pixel Camera has several settings that people tend to miss: Quick access controls, RAW/JPEG capture, grid lines, photo ratio, Save location, and Launch mode. Of these, Quick access controls is the one that changes day-to-day use most directly, because it moves the controls you reach for into the viewfinder itself. If your frustration was with having to open menus to change something you use constantly, this is the likeliest fix.
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How to turn on Quick access controls
Google’s Pixel Camera Help page “Change your Camera app settings” documents this path:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Open the Camera app.
- Go to Photo settings, then tap More.
- Tap Quick access controls.
- Turn on Quick access controls.
- Close settings and tap the viewfinder. The controls appear on the screen.
Once it is on, you can rearrange controls. Touch and hold a control, then drag it to a new position.
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What Quick access controls does and does not do
- Capacity: up to four controls in total, two on the left side and two on the right.
- Visibility: the controls appear when you tap the viewfinder, so they are not permanently covering the preview.
- Purpose: it is a convenience for reaching controls faster. Google’s documentation does not say it improves image quality.
- Device support: the help page describes the feature as part of the current Camera app settings, but layout and available controls can differ by model and software version, so check your own Camera settings screen.
Other settings worth checking
If Quick access controls did not solve your problem, one of these settings may be the one you were looking for. The paths below are the ones Google documents in its Pixel Camera help pages.
| Setting | Where to find it | What it does | Model or version notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch mode | Photo settings > More > Launch mode | Sets the mode the Camera opens in. The same mode applies when you open Camera with the double-press power-button shortcut. | Not stated by model in the help page reviewed. |
| RAW/JPEG control | More settings > Advanced, then enable RAW + JPEG in photo mode | Lets you save RAW files alongside JPEGs. RAW files are larger and need editing software, so they suit a specific workflow rather than everyday shooting. | Google notes the first enabling step is not required on Pixel 8 Pro. |
| Save location | More settings > Save location | Controls whether location information is attached to photos. Turn it off if you do not want location data stored with your images. | Not stated by model. |
| Grid type and photo ratio | More settings | Adds composition guides. Photo ratio options listed are Wide crop (16:9) and Full image (4:3). | Not stated by model. |
| Palm timer | Timer options in the camera controls | Starts a timer when you show a fully visible palm, which is useful for hands-free selfies. The camera timer must be on, and both your face and palm must be in frame. | Available on Pixel 6 and later, including Pixel Fold, per Google’s selfie help page. |
If the real problem is low-light or blurry photos
Some frustration with the Camera app is really about image quality rather than navigation. Google’s photo quality troubleshooting page offers these steps:
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- Use Night Sight in low light. Google says low light can produce dark, grainy, or blurry photos and recommends trying Night Sight.
- Keep the phone and subject still. Google advises placing the Pixel on a tripod or other stable, stationary surface whenever possible. This support helps Night Sight shots, but it is not required to turn on any Camera setting.
- Check focus. Tap the subject in the viewfinder to set focus on it.
- Clean the lens. Use a soft, clean, lint-free cloth.
- Watch for glare or flare. Strong light sources can wash out a photo, so change your angle if you see them.
These steps address focus, stillness, and lens condition. They are not a fix that depends on any single Camera setting.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Sources: Google Pixel Camera Help, “Change your Camera app settings,” “Fix photo or video quality issues,” and “Take a selfie on your Pixel phone or tablet.” These pages were checked on October 7, 2026. None shows a publication date, so settings labels and device support may have changed since then.
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