How to Access Camera on Android

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Easy ways to open the camera on your Android

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Tested

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• From the App Drawer
|
• From the Lock Screen
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Camera app on your Android phone or tablet.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

From the App Drawer

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1. 
   1
   Unlock your Android’s screen. The steps to do this will vary, but you’ll often have to press the Power or Volume button, swipe the screen, and then enter a PIN or pattern.
2. 
   2
   Tap the app drawer icon. It’s the icon made of 6 to 9 small dots or squares at the bottom of the home screen. This opens the list of apps on your Android.

   • If you see the Camera app on the home screen, you don’t have to open the app drawer. Just tap Camera or the icon that looks like a camera.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Camera. Your Camera app is now open and ready to use.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

From the Lock Screen

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1. 
   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.
2. 
   2
   Swipe the camera icon upward. This should launch the Camera app if it’s available through the lock screen.
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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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