I used to rely on separate apps just to scan QR codes. Then one day, I opened my Samsung camera and saw it highlight a link the moment I pointed it at one. It was subtle, but enough to make me wonder what else the camera could do.
6Record Video Without Killing the Music
Most phones shut off your music the moment you start recording a video, but Samsung phones aren’t limited in that way. If you’re listening to a song from Spotify or YouTube Music, open theCameraapp, switch toVideomode, and hit record. The music continues to play in the background, and your phone captures both visuals and ambient sounds.
To make this work, though, there’s a quick setting you must enable first. Open Camera and tap thegear iconto access settings. In Settings, scroll down toAdvanced video optionsand toggleAudio playbackon.
Once that’s turned on, your music won’t be interrupted during filming. The feature works best when the sound comes from your phone’s speaker. If you’re recording with 360 audio or using a Bluetooth mic, the music might pause automatically. So double-check your setup before you start recording if audio is part of what you’re trying to capture.
5Capture Documents Automatically—No Tap Required
When you point your Samsung camera at receipts, printed forms, or handwritten notes, it doesn’t treat them as ordinary photos. A yellow frame appears around the edges of the document, and if you hold still for a second, the camera captures it automatically.
To get this working, open the Camera app, tap thegearicon, and turn onScan documents and text. Then tap it and enableAuto scan, which lets your phone take the shot as soon as it detects a steady frame.
You can also turn onRemove unwanted objectsto crop out anything that gets in the way, such as fingers near the edge. After that, all you need to do is point the camera at the subject and let it do the rest.
4Turn the Shutter Button Into a GIF Maker
Some moments are too brief for a video, but are more expressive than a single picture. That’s where this trick works. Samsung lets you turn the shutter button into a built-inGIFmaker, so you don’t have to use a separate app or edit them later.
To enable it, open the Camera app, tap thegearicon, then scroll to thePicturessection. TapSwipe Shutter button to, and by default, it’s set toTake burst shot. Switch it toCreate GIF, and you’re all set.
Now, when you’re inPhotomode, slide and hold theshutter buttondownward. Your phone willtake a burst of photosand automatically stitch them into a short, looping GIF. It works well for reactions, playful expressions, or anything that feels better in motion. Once you save it, you can share it right away, no conversions required.
3Let the Camera Optimize Shots for You
You don’t need to adjust settings for every shot; most of the time, it’s better not to. Scene Optimizer fine-tunes your photos in the background during those quick moments. It recognizes what you’re shooting, like food, greenery, sunsets, or text, and adjusts details such as exposure and contrast to fit the scene.
To turn it on, open theCamera settingsand navigate toIntelligent optimisation. From there, toggleScene Optimizeron.
Once you enable it, your camera identifies scenes in real time and applies subtle adjustments to enhance the end result without you having to move a finger.
2Make Portraits Pop With Color Point
Portrait mode blurs the background well, but sometimes you want more than just soft edges. That’s where Color Point adds a personal touch. This filter keeps your subject in full color while desaturating the background to black and white, creating a striking contrast that instantly catches your attention.
To try it out, open the Camera app and switch toPortraitmode. Tap on theEffectsicon on the left side of the zoom controls, then chooseCOLOR POINTfrom the list of filters.
Once selected, the effect appears live in the viewfinder so you can line up the shot exactly how you wish. You can also adjust the background blur strength right on the screen using the slider.
1Mute the Camera Shutter Sound
Sometimes you just want to take a quiet photo, but that shutter sound cuts through the silence. In a meeting, a quiet room, or near someone sleeping, it can easily break the moment. You could lower the volume every time, but there’s a better way—you can automate it with the Modes and Routines feature on your Samsung phone.
To set it up, openSettings, navigate toModes and Routines, and tapRoutines. Tap the+icon to create a new routine. Under theIfsection, tap+, then search forApp opened>Camera, and tapDone.
Now move to theThensection, tap+, scroll toSounds and vibration, and chooseSound mode and volume. Drag theSystem soundslider to0%, tapDone, and hitSave. If you’d like, assign an icon to the routine, then tapDoneagain to complete the setup.
Your phone will now automatically mute the shutter sound every time you open the Camera app. No more fiddling with volume controls or worrying about creating noise when you need to stay quiet.
8 Settings That Actually Make Your Samsung Phone Run Faster
Make your high-end phone actually feel high-end.
These are some of the features built into Samsung cameras that can make everyday photos easier, faster, and more useful. If you haven’t tried them yet, it’s worth exploring what they can do.
