Ever tried taking a selfie with one hand and realized you just can’t reach the shutter button? Maybe you’re holding coffee, carrying a bag, or stretching your arm for a wider angle and tapping the screen feels impossible.
If you’ve been stuck in that awkward moment, you’re probably wondering how to take selfie without touching screen. The good news is it’s easier than you think. In this article, we’ll walk you through several simple ways to do it, whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android phone.
4 ways to take a selfie without touching the screen on any phone
Here are four easy ways to take a selfie without touching the screen on any phone. You can use a phone selfie monitor with AI-powered gesture control, connect a remote shutter for hands-free shooting, set a built-in timer, or simply press the volume button as an alternative shutter. Below, we’ll break down each method step by step and show you how they work in real-life shooting situations.
1. Use a phone selfie monitor with AI-powered gesture control
The smartest way to take a selfie without touching your screen is to use a phone selfie monitor with AI-powered gesture control. These devices can recognize your hand gestures automatically, so you don’t need to tap the shutter at all.
For example, the SYNCO XView M4 AI smart phone monitor comes with four built-in AI gesture controls designed for selfies. Just wave your hand slightly, and it will instantly recognize the gesture to take a photo, start a 3-second countdown, zoom in, or zoom out. The entire process is completely touch-free, making it perfect for one-handed shooting or creative angles.
2. Use a camera remote shutter to take selfies without touching the screen
Another simple way to take a selfie without touching your screen is to use a Bluetooth remote shutter. This small wireless device connects to your phone and lets you trigger the camera from a distance.
Once paired, you just press the button to capture a photo. There’s no need to reach for the screen or change your grip. It works great for group selfies, full-body shots, or when your phone is set up on a tripod.
Many selfie sticks and phone monitors also come with a built-in Bluetooth shutter, so you don’t even need a separate remote. Just press the button and start shooting.
3. Set a selfie timer
Another easy way to snap a selfie without touching your screen is to use the built-in camera timer. Most smartphones support a 3-second or 10-second countdown, so you can press the shutter once and then get into position.
Simply open your camera app, turn on the timer, choose the delay time, and tap the shutter. After that, the phone will count down and capture the photo automatically. This method is simple, requires no extra device, and works well for stable shots when your phone is placed on a tripod or flat surface.
4. Press the volume button to take a selfie without touching the screen
The last quick way to take a selfie without touching the screen is to use your phone’s volume button as the shutter. It feels more natural, especially when you’re holding the phone with one hand.
Here’s how to set a volume button as a shutter control on different phones:
⚙️ On iPhone, this feature works by default. Just open the Camera app and press either volume button to take a photo. No extra setup is needed.
⚙️ On Samsung Galaxy phones, open the Camera app, tap the settings icon, go Shooting Methods>Press Volume buttons to>Take pictures or record video.
⚙️ On Google Pixel, open the Camera app, tap the settings icon, go More settings>Button Shortcuts>Volume key action>Shutter.
You can also plug wired earphones into your phone and press the volume button on the cable to trigger the camera, turning it into a simple remote shutter.
2 ways to take a selfie on an iPhone without touching the screen
To take selfies on iPhone without touching the screen, you can use built-in Voice Control to trigger the shutter with a simple command, or control your camera remotely through your Apple Watch. Let’s see how each method works.
1. Use the iPhone's Voice Control to take selfies without touching the screen
Using Voice Control is a fully hands-free way to take selfies on iPhone. Once it’s turned on, you can open the camera and trigger the shutter just by speaking, without tapping the screen at all.
Here is how to use it for hands-free iPhone selfies:
First, go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then turn on Voice Control. You can also ask Siri to switch it on for you, which is convenient if your phone is already set up for a shot.
When Voice Control is active, say “Open Camera” to launch the app. Then say “Turn up volume” or “Turn down volume” to take a photo. The image will be saved automatically in the Photos app.
You can also use simple commands like “Zoom in” or “Zoom out” to frame your selfie better. If you’re not sure what to say, try “Show names” to see available commands on the screen.
For example, say “Tap flash” to adjust the flash, or “Tap camera chooser” to switch between front and rear cameras. If you prefer using numbers, say “Show numbers” and then speak the number next to the button you want to select.
When you’re finished, just ask Siri to turn off Voice Control or switch it off manually in Settings.
2. Use the Camera Remote app on Apple Watch to take selfies
If you have an Apple Watch, you can use using the camera remote app to take selfies on your iPhone without touching your phone screen. This method also lets you see a live preview on your watch.
To use it, open the Camera Remote app on your Apple Watch. Your iPhone camera will automatically open and display the scene. You can adjust the composition, switch between front and rear cameras, and even set a 3-second timer - all from your wrist.
Once everything is set, just tap the shutter button on your Apple Watch, and your iPhone will take the photo.
2 ways to take a selfie without touching the screen on Android
To take selfies on Android without touching the screen, you can use a palm gesture to trigger the camera hands-free, or ask your phone’s built-in assistant to capture the shot for you. Let’s see how to do them.
1. Use the palm gesture to take a selfie on Android without touching the screen
A quick and fun way to snap a selfie on Android and don’t touch the phone screen is by using the palm gesture. With this feature, your phone can detect your hand in front of the front-facing camera and automatically start a countdown to capture the photo.
How to set it up on Samsung and Google Pixel:
⚙️ On Samsung: Open the Camera app and switch to the selfie mode. Tap the settings icon, go to “Shooting methods”, and enable "Show palm".
⚙️ On Google Pixel: Launch the Camera app in selfie mode, tap the gear-shaped settings icon, then choose More settings. Find "Palm timer" and set it to “Always on”.
Once enabled, hold your palm up in front of the camera. The phone will recognize your hand, start a short countdown, and automatically take the photo. This makes hands-free selfies quick, easy, and fun.
2. Ask Android’s built-in assistant to take a no-touch selfie
Another hands-free way to snap a selfie on Android is by using your phone’s built-in assistant. This works even if your screen is off or you’re busy with other tasks.
On Google Pixel or other devices that support the Assistant-camera connection, just say “Hey Google, take a selfie.” You can add a countdown, like “Take a selfie in 10 seconds,” to give yourself time to pose.
On Samsung phones, activate Bixby and give the same kind of command, such as “Take a selfie” or “Take a selfie in 5 seconds.”
Once the command is recognized, the camera opens, the countdown starts if set, and your photo is taken automatically - completely hands-free.
Conclusion
How to take a selfie without touching the screen? We’ve shared universal methods like a selfie monitor, remote shutter, camera timer, or volume button, as well as device-specific features such as the iPhone’s Voice Control, Apple Watch Camera Remote, and Android’s palm gesture or assistant commands. With these options, you can capture photos completely hands-free and hassle-free.
Try out the methods that fit your phone and style, and you’ll never have to fumble with the screen for the perfect shot again. For more tips, check out our guide on how to take a selfie with the back camera.