How to Reverse Swipe Direction for Camera Modes in iOS 26

A New Look for the Camera App in iOS 26

The new design of the Camera app in iOS 26 was one of the first glimpses into Apple's upcoming iPhone operating system update. This leak occurred several months ago, when expectations were set for the release of iOS 19 as the successor to iOS 18. The early leaks suggested that Apple would significantly revamp the appearance of the Camera app, making it more user-friendly.

Apple confirmed these rumors at WWDC 2025 in June when it introduced iOS 26. The Camera app indeed received a simpler user interface, focusing on helping users take photos and videos without getting lost in too many menu options. Additionally, the app incorporated the same Liquid Glass design elements that are present throughout iOS 26.

While the move toward simplicity is commendable, the new Camera app design has also raised concerns among some users. Those who are not particularly tech-savvy or resistant to change might find it challenging to adapt to the updated look. Moreover, a specific feature in the new Camera app experience has drawn criticism from younger users: the Camera mode picker.

Many users who have participated in the iOS 26 developer and public betas have expressed frustration with the new swipe gesture used to switch between modes in the Camera app. In response, Apple made changes in iOS 26 beta 5 by allowing users to choose their preferred swipe direction.

How Camera Mode Switching Works

Most iPhone users are familiar with switching modes in the Camera app. The mode picker is located at the bottom of the screen. To access different options—such as Photo, Video, Portrait, or Panorama—you simply swipe left or right. Before iOS 26, swiping left moved the mode selector to the right, which felt intuitive in practice, even if it seemed odd when described.

With the release of iOS 26, this gesture was changed. Now, swiping right moves the mode selector to the right, which may feel counterintuitive for some. This shift can be confusing or even frustrating for users accustomed to the previous behavior.

A helpful comparison can be drawn to the scrolling behavior in macOS. Some users appreciated the natural scrolling feature, while others preferred the traditional method. A setting in macOS allows users to choose their preferred scrolling experience. Similarly, iOS 26 now offers a choice for camera mode switching.

How to Enable Classic Mode Switching in iOS 26

iOS 26 beta 5 introduces a new Camera setting called "Classic Mode Switching." Users who prefer the original swipe gesture for switching modes can enable this option by navigating to the Settings app, then selecting the Camera menu. Scroll down to find the "Classic Mode Switching" option and toggle it on.

This setting is disabled by default, so users must manually enable it to revert to the previous swipe behavior. For those who have already adapted to the new gesture after testing iOS 26 for nearly two months, there’s no need to make any changes.

This new feature will be especially useful for users upgrading from iOS 18 to iOS 26 in September when the operating system becomes available to the general public. While the change in gesture may be surprising for some, having a simple solution makes the transition smoother.

The Camera app on iPad will likely require similar adjustments after the upgrade to iPadOS 26. With this new option, Apple is showing a willingness to accommodate user preferences, even when it comes to something as seemingly small as a swipe gesture.