Taking photos without holding your phone may sound tricky, but it’s easier than you think.
If you’ve ever wondered how to take a selfie from a distance, the answer lies in using the right tools and settings on your device.
In this guide, we’ll walk through seven practical methods you can use:
- Hold a phone stick
- Set a camera timer
- Use a remote control
- Add a phone monitor screen
- Activate iPhone’s Voice Control
- Try a wide-angle lens to look farther away
- Ask someone else to help with the shot
1. Hold a selfie stick to shoot from a distance
How to take a selfie from a distance? The simplest way is to use a selfie stick. This tool gives you extra reach, helps include more people or scenery in the frame, and lets you control the angle with ease. It works well for solo travel or group shots when you want more space in the frame.
Here are the steps to take a picture of yourself remotely with a selfie stick:
1️⃣ Connect your phone to the selfie stick, either with the cord or by pairing via Bluetooth.
2️⃣ Fix your phone firmly into the clamp so it stays secure.
3️⃣ Extend the stick fully and lock it in place before raising it.
4️⃣ Adjust the angle to keep the stick and your arm out of the picture.
5️⃣ Press the button on the handle or remote to take several shots.
Tip: lifting the stick higher gives you a wider background.
2. Set a camera timer to take a selfie from a distance
Almost all phones feature the camera timer to help you snap a selfie from afar. Once you set a selfie timer, there is a countdown, typically 3-10 seconds, to give you time to step into the frame and pose.
Here are the steps to do it:
1️⃣ Place your phone on a tripod or any stable surface to adjust the angle and height for the frame.
2️⃣ Open the phone camera and set the timer (e.g., 10 seconds).
3️⃣ Step into the frame and adjust poses before the timer counts down.
4️⃣ Snap the photo and adjust poses as needed.
Tip: To take a well-composed selfie and reduce retakes, use an object to replace yourself before setting the timer. This helps mark your spot and ensures the camera focuses correctly on your position.
3. Use a selfie remote control to take a selfie without holding the phone
A wireless selfie remote lets you capture yourself from a distance without touching your phone. Once paired via Bluetooth, you can stand far from the camera and trigger the shutter with ease, giving you more freedom to pose and frame the shot perfectly.
When taking a selfie from a distance on your iPhone, the Apple Watch can act as a remote shutter to preview and capture photos. On iOS 26, AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 can also be used to control your camera wirelessly.
4. Use a phone monitor screen to frame a clear selfie from a distance
If you want to take sharp and well-composed selfies from a distance, a phone monitor screen is a game-changer. These wireless monitors display your phone’s rear camera in real time, letting you see exactly how you appear in the frame. This makes it easy to adjust angles, composition, and positioning without guesswork.
Some professional selfie monitors even feature a Bluetooth remote control, allowing you to trigger the shutter from a distance. Choose a trusted brand like the SYNCO selfie monitor supplier to ensure you get reliable, high-quality tools for remote selfies.
Check out the video below to see how the SYNCO XView M4 selfie monitor screen can help you take a perfect shot remotely with the rear camera.
5. Use iPhone’s Voice Control to automatically take selfies from a distance
If you want to take selfies from a distance with your iPhone, Voice Control is your ultimate tool. Just say your chosen phrase, and your phone will take photos automatically. You can even set a burst mode with intervals to capture multiple shots at once. It gives you enough time to pose and ensuring you get multiple shots to pick the best one.
Here’s how to set it up:
1️⃣ Open the Camera app and locate the shutter button. You can mark it with a sticker or lipstick so it’s easy to remember.
2️⃣ Go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > Commands > Custom > Create New Command.
3️⃣ Enter a phrase (e.g., “snap” or “cheese”) as your voice command to trigger the selfie.
4️⃣ Tap Action > Run Custom Gesture.
5️⃣Press and hold the shutter button position you marked in step 1. Tap once to simulate taking a photo, and adjust the interval and number of shots as desired. Then, tap Save.
6️⃣ Return and tap Application, select the Camera app, and save your settings.
7️⃣ Go back to Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, and enable both AssistiveTouch and Voice Control.
8️⃣ Open the Camera app and say your chosen phrase - your iPhone will automatically take the photo.
6. Use a wide-angle lens to appear farther away in your selfies
A wide-angle lens lets you capture selfies that look like they were taken from farther away, without having to move your phone or camera back. This makes it easier to include more people, scenery, or background details in the frame while keeping your phone close.
Steps to take a wide-angle selfie on iPhone or Android:
1️⃣ Open the Camera app and switch to the rear camera.
2️⃣ Tap the 0.5, 0.6x, m, or w button to activate the Ultra Wide lens.
3️⃣ Hold your phone out straight, raise it above your head, and frame your shot.
4️⃣ Press the shutter button to snap the photo.
Tips: Press the volume button to snap the photo, and keep your hand steady to avoid distortion from camera shake.
7. Ask someone else to take your selfie from afar
In some cases, asking a friend or a passerby for help is the simplest solution for taking a selfie from a distance. To make sure you get a good shot regardless of who is behind the camera, try the following tips:
👉Choose someone with a camera or a tripod: They are more likely to know how to handle photography and frame the shot correctly. Offering to take a photo for them first can also make them more willing to help.
👉Set your camera in advance: Set autofocus, zoom, and other settings so the person can shoot immediately without confusion.
👉Explain your vision clearly: Show them exactly how you want the camera positioned, what to focus on, and whether you want landscape or portrait orientation.
👉Retry if necessary: If the first shot isn’t perfect, politely wait for the person to finish and try again - you may get the perfect selfie on the second attempt.
Conclusion
Now you know several practical ways on how to take a selfie from a distance, using tools like selfie sticks, timers, remote controls, phone monitors, voice commands, wide-angle lenses, or even asking someone for help. Experiment with these methods and angles, and you’ll easily capture clear, well-framed, and fun selfies without holding your phone.