6 Simple Methods to Access Your Android's Camera

Easy ways to open the camera and allow access to it

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: February 14, 2026 Fact Checked

Apps Menu

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Lock Screen

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Add to Home Screen

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Download Camera App

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Change App Permission

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Change Website Permission

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Video

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Q&A

On Android, you can easily access your Camera from the Apps menu or your Home screen. Some devices let you access your camera from the Lock screen. If you can’t find your camera app, you can download one from the Google Play Store. If an app or website needs access to your camera, you can manage the app’s permissions in the Settings menu. This wikiHow article teaches you how to access your camera on Android and how to allow websites and apps to access it.

Access Your Camera on Android

Tap the Camera app in the Apps menu or the Home screen to launch your Camera.
To allow an app to access your camera, open the Settings and tap Apps > [app name] > Permissions > Camera. Allow the app to access your camera.
To allow a website to access your Camera, open the Settings in Chrome > Site Settings > All Sites > [Site name] > Camera. Tap the toggle switch next to "Camera."

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Using the Apps Menu

1
Check your Home screen. The camera app is usually placed on your Home screen by default. Swipe left and right on your Home screen to view the different panels. Look for your Camera app. It usually has an icon that resembles n the front of a camera.
- If you are using a different theme, the Camera app icon may change.
2
Open the Apps menu. To do so, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This will display all apps installed on your Android phone.

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3
Look for the Camera app. There may be several pages of apps in the Apps menu. Swipe left and right to view the different pages. Look for the Camera app.
- If you can’t find the Camera app, you can tap the search bar at the bottom of the screen and enter "Camera" in the search bar.
4
Tap the Camera app to open it. If you just want to use your camera to take a picture, tap the camera app to open it. You will see your camera view on the main screen.
5
Switch cameras. Most Android devices have a front-facing and a rear-facing camera. To switch cameras, tap the icon that resembles two circular arrows. It’s either at the bottom of the screen or the right-hand side.
6
Take a picture. To take a picture, tap the large circular button at the bottom of the screen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Using the Lock Screen

1
Press the power button once to illuminate the Lock screen. This usually displays the current time and date.
- This method may not be available on some Android phones and tablets.
If the camera app is available on your Lock screen, you’ll see it in the lower-right corner. Swipe up on the app icon to open the Camera app.
3
Double-press the Power button. You can also access the Camera on your Lock screen by double-tapping the Power button.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Adding the Camera to Your Home Screen

1
Open the Apps menu. To do so, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This will display all apps installed on your Android phone.
2
Tap and hold the Camera app. When you find the Camera app on your Home screen, tap and hold it. This will display a menu.
3
Tap Add to Home. This will add the app to your Home screen.
4
Tap and drag the camera app. To move the Camera app on your Home screen, tap and drag it to the desired location. You can drag it to the far left or right side of the screen to change Home screen panels.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Downloading a Camera App

1
Open the Google Play Store
. If you can’t find the Camera app on your phone, or you don’t like the stock Camera app, you can download a camera app from the Google Play Store. Tap the icon that resembles a colorful Play triangle to open the Google Play Store.
2
Search Camera. Enter "Camera" in the search bar at the top of the screen.
3
Tap a camera app. Look for apps that have a 4-star rating or higher. Popular choices include Camera for Android, Open Camera, Blackmagic Camera, and Secure Camera.
4
Tap Install. This will install the app on your phone.
5
Find the app in the Apps menu. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Apps menu. Then search for the Camera app you just downloaded.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Allowing Apps to Access Your Camera

1
Open the Settings menu. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Access menu. Then tap the Gear icon in the upper-right corner.
- When you open an app that needs to access your camera for the first time, you are generally asked if you want to allow the app permission to use your camera. If you accidentally deny the app camera access, you can change the app's permissions in the Settings menu.
2
Tap Apps. It’s in the Settings menu. This displays a list of apps you have installed on your Android phone.
3
Tap the app you want to change. This displays the App settings.
4
Tap Permissions. This displays what permissions the app has and doesn’t have.
5
Tap Camera. This allows you to change the app's permission regarding your camera.
6
Tap Allow while using the app. This allows the app to access your camera when you are using the app.^{[1]
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- Alternatively, you can tap Ask me every time to force the app to ask you permission to use the camera every time it needs to access your camera.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Allowing Websites to Access Your Camera

1
Open Google Chrome. Google Chrome is the default web browser on most Android devices. Open the Google Chrome web browser. Tap the Google Chrome icon to open it.
2
Open the Settings menu. To do so, tap the icon that resembles three dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner. Then tap Settings.
3
Tap Site Settings. It’s towards the bottom of the Settings menu.
4
Tap Camera. This allows you to set your Camera settings for websites.
5
Tap Site can ask for your camera. This is the first option in the Camera settings menu. This allows websites to ask permission to use your camera, if they need to.
6
Tap the back arrow
. It’s the bracket facing left. It’s generally at the bottom of the screen. This will take you back to the Site Settings menu.
7
Tap All Sites. It’s the first option at the top of the Site Settings menu.
8
Tap a website you want to allow access to your camera. Websites you have visited will be listed alphabetically. Tap the website whose access you want to change.
9
Tap the toggle switch next to "Camera." This allows or disallows the website to use your Camera.^{[2]
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Community Q&A

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Question

What if camera doesn't appear?

Community Answer

You should go onto your apps screen on your android device, where it will display all apps that have been downloaded onto your phone. Also, the camera app comes built into the device, so that means it cannot be accidentally deleted or uninstalled. The camera app will likely be on your apps screen.

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