{
  "id": 9908423,
  "title": "I found this hidden trick that makes Pro Controls on my iPhone 18 Pro even better — here's what it is",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/i-found-this-hidden-trick-that-makes-pro-controls-on-my-iphone-18-pro",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-26T04:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/i-found-this-hidden-trick-that-makes-pro-controls-on-my-iphone-18-pro-even-better-heres-what-it-is"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The iPhone 18 Pro and its larger counterpart, the Pro Max, have introduced a new feature known as Pro Controls that allows for greater manual camera control. While the variable aperture system has been the main talking point, the Pro Controls update has been a game-changer for me. The introduction of customizable Pro Controls layout has been a welcome addition, which I stumbled upon recently and found to be a significant improvement.\n\nTo customize the Pro Controls layout, open the Camera app and press and hold either the Live Photos or LED flash icon, located on the side opposite the shutter button. This will bring up an \"Add Photo Controls\" overlay, displaying every available manual setting icon. You can configure anywhere between two to eight controls at once. Drag and drop the chosen icons into your desired order or layout, and click \"Done\" to save the changes.\n\nOnce set, this customized layout will remain unchanged until you decide to make another adjustment. This level of customization greatly enhances the user experience by allowing you to have your favorite tools within reach, eliminating the need to constantly tap the six-dot icon to access settings. I find this feature particularly useful as it enables me to focus more on framing and shooting, rather than fumbling through menus. Pro Controls customization also extends seamlessly to video recording, offering video-specific tools such as Dual Capture, Action mode, and Adaptive.",
  "summary": "Pro Controls are one of the exclusive features with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but this trick lets you easily customize the layout.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pro Controls feature enhances manual camera control on iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.",
    "Customizable Pro Controls layout allows 2-8 settings icons in desired order.",
    "Custom layout remains unchanged until adjusted, improving user experience."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Customizable Pro Controls layout on the iPhone 18 Pro significantly enhances the user experience by allowing users to prioritize and quickly access their preferred camera settings.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}