iPhone 16 Pro Max: Disable camera menu pop-ups & shutter button placement

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Level 1

4 points

iPhone 16 Pro Max: Disable camera menu pop-ups & shutter button placement

I've got a question regarding the iPhone 16 ProMax camera app. With the camera open, if you lightly tap the text (video, photo, etc) below the white shutter button it pops up a menu. For example if you tap photo the pop up menu has flash, live, timer, etc. controls. Is there a way to disable this menu so it doesn't pop up? While on vacation I often walk around taking pictures with the camera open and frequently accidentally activate this menu without knowing it and then accidentally activate the flash or live mode without knowing it. On a recent trip I took over a hundred Live Photos without knowing it and had to go back and turn each one individually off. There is already a less obtrusive way to activate this menu without needing the pop up to occur below the shutter button. I know I'm not the only one who has this problem as I've watched other people fighting with the pop up menu while trying to take photos.

On a related note. Is anyone else bothered by the fact that Apple moved the shutter button a few millimeters higher in an iOS update last year? Due to the way I hold my camera I've missed so many photos because the shutter isn't where it used to be. My finger keeps hitting the spot where the button was prior to that update and the shutter doesn't activate and the thing I wanted to take the picture of is no longer there.

Thank you for the help.

Posted on Jun 8, 2026 2:35 PM

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Answer 1

Zachyy

Level 6

17,314 points

Jun 8, 2026 2:49 PM in response to CabaBro

Unfortunately, you cannot disable the control menu that appears if you inadvertently tap Photo, right next to the shuttle button. There are a few solutions though.

Take photos by pressing the Volume Up or Volume Down button on your iPhone rather than the shutter button.
Because you have an iPhone 16 PM, you have the new Camera Control button, located on the bottom right side of your iPhone.

Also, once you have utilized one of the alternative methods to take photos, you should turn on Preserve Settings—a feature designed to prevent your camera from automatically resetting to its default settings every time you close the app. This means once you have chosen your desired settings, it will stay that way. That can be done in Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings.

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Answer 2

Zachyy

Level 6

17,314 points

Jun 8, 2026 3:16 PM in response to CabaBro

You may also want to look into third-party camera apps on the App Store. Some have simplifier or customizable interfaces. I hope those solutions work for you. In the meantime, you should suggest feedback to Apple below. It's possible others may have reported the same issue—since previous versions of iOS didn't have this. Good luck.

Feedback - Photos - Apple

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Answer 3

SravanKrA

Level 10

437,554 points

Jun 8, 2026 9:59 PM in response to CabaBro

Suggestions and Feedback for improvements --> Apple Inc says; "We read all feedback carefully, but we are unable to respond to each submission individually."

Here is how for iPhone · Country or region* Select your country or region. · Feedback Type* Select feedback type. · Comments* Enter a comment.
Feedback - iPhone - Apple

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Answer 4

CabaBro Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 8, 2026 3:10 PM in response to Zachyy

Thank you. I already utilize the Up/ Down and Camera Control Buttons as needed. I also have Preserve Settings turned on. Sadly none of that keeps the pop up menu from needlessly popping up by accidentally tapping the screen. That menu typically gets activated as I walk from subject to subject to take photos (while the camera is open), and then I have to close the menu before I can take another photo. Wish the menu was less easily activated.

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