TL;DR
Apple’s upcoming iOS 27 will reportedly allow users to fully customize the Camera app with new widgets and control options. The update aims to enhance photography flexibility and integrate new AI features.
Apple’s next iOS update, version 27, is set to significantly enhance the Camera app by allowing users to fully customize controls and interface elements, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This development aims to give phone photographers more flexibility and control over their shooting experience.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that iOS 27 will introduce a new level of customization in the Camera app, enabling users to select their own set of controls called widgets that will appear along the top of the interface. Currently, the Camera app features a fixed set of default controls, but the new update will allow users to switch to an ‘advanced’ mode or choose specific controls from a new ‘Add Widgets’ tray.
The widgets will be categorized into three groups: basic, manual, and settings, with each capture mode having its own dedicated set of widgets. This means users will be able to tailor their camera interface based on their shooting preferences. Additionally, the update will include a new “Siri” mode that leverages Apple’s visual intelligence features, providing more AI-driven options for photography. Gurman also notes that design changes will extend to other Apple apps, including Siri, which will be integrated into the Dynamic Island, and the Safari start page, which is expected to receive a redesign.
Why It Matters
This update could significantly impact how users interact with their iPhones’ camera capabilities, making professional-level customization accessible to everyday users. For photography enthusiasts, the ability to tailor controls and access advanced options directly from the interface may improve shooting efficiency and creative potential. Moreover, the integration of AI features and new app designs signals Apple’s push toward more personalized, AI-enhanced user experiences, which could influence the broader smartphone photography and AI landscape.

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Background
Apple has historically maintained a relatively streamlined Camera app interface, with limited options for customization. Previous updates have added features like Night mode and ProRAW, but full control over controls has been limited. Rumors of enhanced customization have circulated since early 2023, but concrete details have been scarce. Gurman’s report indicates that iOS 27 aims to address this gap, aligning with Apple’s broader strategy to improve user control and AI integration across its ecosystem.
“The Camera app will be ‘fully customizable’ in iOS 27, with users able to pick their own set of controls — called widgets — that run along the top of the interface.”
— Mark Gurman
“Starting with iOS 27, you will be able to switch over to an ‘advanced’ array of options or choose their own items.”
— Mark Gurman

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What Remains Unclear
It is not yet confirmed how extensive the customization options will be or how they will be implemented in practice. Details about the final design, user interface, and whether third-party developers will be able to create custom widgets remain unclear. Apple has not officially announced these features, and they are based on early reports from Gurman, so some aspects could change before release.

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What’s Next
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 at its annual developer conference in mid-2024, with a public release likely later that year. Further details about the customization features and other new functionalities will be revealed during the official announcement and subsequent developer beta releases.

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Key Questions
Will I be able to create my own custom controls for the Camera app?
According to reports, iOS 27 will allow users to select and customize controls via widgets, but the extent of customization and whether users can create entirely new controls remains to be confirmed.
Will third-party developers be able to create custom widgets for the Camera app?
This detail has not been confirmed. It is unclear if third-party developers will have access to create or integrate their own camera controls within the app.
When will iOS 27 be released?
Apple is expected to announce iOS 27 at its developer conference in mid-2024, with a public release anticipated later in the year.
What other features are expected in iOS 27?
Besides Camera app customization, iOS 27 is rumored to include updates to Siri, new AI integrations, redesigns for Safari and Weather apps, and improvements to Dynamic Island.