Technologies are advancing uncontrollably. And if previously taking a photo of yourself was something unthinkable, now anyone can do it. The selfie stick is designed to make this task easier and take better pictures. But how to properly connect the device to your mobile phone? In this article I will tell you how to connect a selfie stick to a phone on Android or iOS - Samsung, Nokia, Lenovo and others
Types of monopods
Before you figure out how to connect a selfie stick, you need to decide on the choice of this device. And this is not as simple as it seems, because they differ not only in appearance and brand, but also in the principle of connection and operation.
Today there are main varieties:
- A simple tripod for selfies . The simplest design and the absence of complex sensors make this option the most affordable on the market. But there are inconveniences in using it: the tripod is only used to fix the phone, and to take a photo, you have to set the timer. The strength of the cheapest options is also not at a high level;
- Tripod with bluetooth remote control. In addition to the stick itself, there is also a wireless remote control. Operation is also not the most convenient; to take a selfie, the owner will have to hold the monopod with the phone in one hand, and the remote control for taking photographs in the other. But this option is well suited as a tripod;
- Wired monopod with button. To connect to an Android or IOS phone, the design provides a 3.5 mm cable (like headphones). There is a button on the tripod that, when pressed, triggers the camera. The problem with such devices is that they are a little outdated, because many new models of iPhone, Samsung and other manufacturers simply do not have a socket for such a wire;
Selfie stick with Bluetooth button on a tripod . A very popular and universal option, it allows you to connect Xiaomi, Redmi, Samsung, Honor, Huawei and any other models that have Bluetooth.
Which monopod should you choose?
You have realized all the advantages of a monopod and now run to the store to purchase this device for yourself as quickly as possible. But take your time. Although the selfie stick models look approximately the same in appearance, there are still differences. And you should know about them.
- Cheaper and more bulky options are a regular tripod. Choose an angle, set a timer and you're done. Not the most convenient option, but it may also be of interest to someone.
- Monopods with a special button on the handle are considered more convenient. Pressing this button activates the shooting procedure on your smartphone.
Each monopod has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are important to consider when purchasing. When choosing a more expensive model, you can be sure that the tripod will not break during a fall, and the smartphone will not jump out of the mount during shooting. This unit weighs about two kilograms.
Also pay attention to the length of the stick. It can also be different. The maximum possible length at the moment is about two meters.
Connecting a selfie stick via wire
The cord connection method, although a little outdated, has a significant advantage - the device will be powered by the phone, which means it will not have to be charged. Most Android smartphones, such as Honor, Huawei, Nokia, Sony Experia, Xiaomi Mi, Redmi, Motorola, still have a 3.5 mm headphone jack, so the method is relevant.
How to connect a Honor selfie stick via cable:
- The smartphone must be secured in the stick holder.
- Insert the wire into the headphone jack.
- Wait for connection.
The device is successfully connected, you can now launch the Camera application, turn on the front camera mode and use the tripod button for photos.
To avoid the quality of your pictures suffering, it is better to use models with a self-timer; they take a picture within 1-2 seconds after pressing, which avoids blurring of the frame upon contact with the button. The cheapest selfie sticks have a low-quality cable that can break if caught in any way. You need to be careful.
What is a monopod or selfie stick?
Before connecting the device and taking photos on Android, it’s worth understanding what a monopod is. In simple words, it is a small structure with a retractable handle, like a telescope. The gadget itself is compact, but it can be unfolded and adjusted in length. When the selfie stick needs to be placed in a bag or backpack, it is pushed in. On the handle in most models there is a control panel with a button. When pressed, the smartphone takes a photograph of the person through the camera.
How to Set Up and Use a Selfie Device on Android
To use the keypad, you need to connect via Bluetooth or connect the wire to the phone itself (depending on the specific monopod). No additional programs are needed for this; everything works thanks to the standard Android capabilities. Just turn on the camera and make a few settings.
As a rule, the gadget is held by one person who wants to take a photo of himself alone, or with friends from a greater distance. With the right angle, beautiful photographs are obtained. The device can be used to fit more people into the frame or take photos from a high or distant angle.
Monopod for photographs with remote control
Types of Selfie Sticks
Monopods are divided into the following types:
- Wireless. Allows you to connect the gadget to your phone via Bluetooth wireless technology. Since these devices do not use a cord, they need to be charged. This is the only disadvantage of wireless designs.
- Wired. Equipped with a cable that connects to a smartphone. Typically a headphone jack is used. If the phone uses a non-standard mini-jack, then an adapter must be purchased. Wired gadgets do not need to be recharged because they are powered by a smartphone.
Healthy! Some devices are equipped with a small mirror. This is done in order to turn the phone towards you with the rear camera, because it has better quality. This allows you to take selfies in higher resolution.
Connection via bluetooth
Let's figure out how to connect a selfie stick to an iPhone or Android using Bluetooth, because it is with this connection that photo devices usually work. The advantages of working via Bluetooth are the speed and the fact that you don’t have to worry about the integrity of the cable.
The first activation and synchronization is carried out according to the instructions:
- You need to turn on the device. How to connect a Xiaomi selfie stick: you need to hold down the power button for a few seconds. On other models it may simply be an on/off .
- Go to the “ Settings ” menu of your smartphone.
- Select the line “ Bluetooth ”.
- Move the toggle switch to the active position.
- Select a monopod (selfie stick) from the list of devices.
- Open the Camera and take photos or videos.
It happens that the smartphone does not find the required monopod in the list of devices. In such a situation, both rebooting the phone and the selfie monopod can help.
Advice! After you have managed to connect the selfie stick to your Samsung or other phone and take a photo, you need to turn off the device. This will help conserve battery power.
How to connect a selfie stick to your phone: instructions
Well, you've chosen the right monopod and are ready to put it to work. To do this, read the instructions that come with the monopod. The general instructions look something like this:
- First, take care of the mounts for your mobile gadget. After making sure that the fasteners are working and perform their assigned tasks without any problems, proceed to the next step.
- Mount your smartphone on a monopod tripod. Secure it tightly with fasteners. And check if it stays there securely. It’s better to check this in advance than while shooting against the backdrop of a body of water.
- Depending on your phone model, there are differences in how you can connect your monopod to your phone device. If you have a regular smartphone running Android or iOS , then simply connect one end of the wire to the connector on the monopod, and the other to the telephone connector.
- If you have Lenovo or Nokia Lumia , then first you need to turn on the monopod. Using your smartphone, find the monopod via Bluetooth and establish a connection with it. Ready.
If you have an iPhone, then you will not need such manipulations. Everything will be configured there automatically.
Congratulations! You have connected the monopod to your gadget and are ready to shoot. But there are still a couple of important issues left to resolve.
Connecting accessories with a Bluetooth remote control
There are sticks on the market with a separate control panel. A very interesting solution, especially if the design can be used as a tripod. The remote control itself usually has two control buttons: one of them works with Android, the other with IOS. These devices are universal, so they will fit an iPhone or Asus, Honor, Xiaomi.
You can connect in the same way as the previous method, but synchronize the phone not with the stick, but with its remote control.
How to connect a selfie stick via Bluetooth:
- Turn on the control panel.
- In your phone settings, find the Bluetooth and activate it.
- In the list of found devices for connection, select the remote control.
- Wait for synchronization, use the camera.
Important! Not all standard Camera apps can work with third-party devices via Bluetooth. If such a problem occurs, then you can download an alternative photo application, for example “Camera 360”.
Subtleties of setting up a monopod on Android
Before purchasing, you need to make sure that the stick fits your specific smartphone model. Most often, accessories are designed for the Android system, so when connected to iOS, the device may not work properly. Not every selfie stick will suit your photography style.
The principle of connecting wireless equipment is as follows:
- Activate the Bluetooth function on your phone, making it visible to others.
- Start searching for devices. Wait until the desired monopod is detected.
- Connect to it.
- Open the camera on your phone and go to settings.
- There, find the parameters for the volume buttons and reassign them to the camera button (the volume down and up buttons will play the role of zooming in or out).
How can you set up a monopod on Android with a wire:
- Connect one end of the wire to the USB headphone jack.
- Connect the other end to the USB connector on the selfie stick.
- The selfie stick will detect the connected device and make it active.
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Ways to use a selfie stick without syncing
We have already figured out how to connect a selfie stick via Bluetooth, but sometimes problems arise with the operation of the devices:
- The smartphone does not have a 3.5 mm jack to connect via cable;
- the bluetooth sensor in the remote control or stick is broken;
- that gives the command to take a photo does not work
There are several ways to solve the problem. The simplest one is to buy a Bluetooth button, then it will synchronize with the phone, and the old stick will serve as a holder. Two more methods are voice control and self-timer, they are worth considering in more detail.
How do selfie sticks work and what are they?
A monopod is an oblong stick with a smartphone mount at one end and a photography button at the other. There may be additional buttons on the device body, for example, zoom, focus, or activation of additional modes.
Based on the type of connection, monopods come in two types: wired, when they are connected to the phone using a wire that is inserted into the headphone jack, and wireless, which are connected via Bluetooth. When choosing a selfie stick, make sure it is compatible with your device.
Self-timer
The timer or self-timer function is available in most camera applications, including standard ones. The peculiarity of this function is that the photo will be taken after a certain time after pressing, which should be enough to line up the phone for a selfie. By default this time is 2-3 seconds, but there is usually an option to increase it to 5 or even 10.
For use:
- On your smartphone you need to open the Camera .
- Select " Settings ".
- Activate the " Timer " function.
- To increase the time, click on “ Timer ” twice, or set parameters in the settings.
Phone apps worth checking out
The standard features do their job well, but is there still something missing? In this case, third-party applications have been developed that help you take photos using a monopod. They can be downloaded for free from the Play Market.
Such applications include, for example, SelfieShop Camera. It not only takes high-quality photographs, but in some cases allows you to make friends between a stick and a phone.
It is designed to work with both wired and wireless models. The application interface is designed in an intuitive style, but, unfortunately, it lacks video recording and a photo editor.
To take a photo, you need to connect the device to your phone, launch the application, point the lens at the subject, and press the shutter button.
After this, the photos can be transferred to a personal computer and indulge in warm memories while sitting in front of a monitor with good characteristics.
If such a need arises, you can change some photo parameters, such as brightness, size and others.
Voice control
If you couldn’t figure out how to connect a selfie stick to a mobile phone, or for some reason this is impossible, then you can take photos using voice commands. This function is available in Galaxy Note , Xiaomi smartphones and other devices on Android and IOS.
How to set up:
- Launch the Camera .
- Click on “ Settings ” in the upper right corner.
- Find the item “ Voice Control ”.
- Enable this feature.
This menu will also contain a list of voice commands that can be used to control the camera. Apple smartphones can use the Siri voice assistant for this function.
Advice. If phones do not have voice control functions for the camera, then you can use third-party applications, such as “VoVoCam”. But it is worth considering that some programs do not recognize the Russian language and commands will have to be given in English.
Assembling the monopod so that there are no extra parts left
Before you start photographing yourself in various poses, you need to prepare the device for use. This will ensure a rigid mounting of the phone, and therefore minimize the possibility of it falling.
- Take a mount suitable for your phone from the box and install it on the end of the stick.
- Next, you need to secure the mobile phone in the device.
- The most important thing is to check the fixation.
- To do this, lift the stick up and move it from side to side.
- The phone must be firmly fixed and not change its position. Otherwise, you will have to fork out for a new phone.
Camera apps
When you have figured out how to connect a selfie stick to Huawei and other smartphones, you can move on to studying the programs. They can make using the camera more convenient and functional.
Camera FV-5
Compared to standard photo and video applications, this program has many more settings. For example, the user can change the functions of the keys and assign a volume key or another button to the photo. But there is also a drawback: the full version of the program is paid. You cannot create large-sized photos in stripped-down software.
The Cellfie
Another version of the program, which is superior in its capabilities to the standard one. In the application settings, you can configure the camera control buttons and has functionality for creating selfies.
SelfiShop Camera
The control key assignment function is also available here. Synchronizes perfectly for working with a monopod. The program is as simple as possible, and is only suitable for selfies, other possibilities are limited. But this also has its advantage: thanks to its modest functionality, the program does not take up much space and does not load the phone.
Camera 360 Ultimate
A program with quite wide capabilities. In addition to standard settings, it also allows you to correctly set geotags and other data. Additionally, the application has filters and a simple photo editor.
Retrica
One of the most popular programs, the functions of which are useful for both regular photos and photographs using the front camera. Retrica has more than a hundred different filters that can transform a photo. There is also the ability to edit images.
In fact, figuring out how to connect a selfie stick to Android or IOS is not that difficult. When connecting via Bluetooth, you need to enable the function of the same name on your phone and perform synchronization. Connecting via wire is even easier - you need to insert it into the headphone jack. There are also several ways to use a monopod without synchronization - using voice commands or a timer.
Why the selfie stick won't connect: useful tips
- If the monopod does not connect to the phone, you can try turning off Bluetooth, turning it on again and trying to establish a connection with the device again.
- Selfie sticks are not yet able to work with two phones at the same time, so before connecting the monopod to a new phone, you must first disconnect the old connection.
- The design of monopods does not allow large batteries to be built into them, so their continuous operation time rarely exceeds one hour. Therefore, do not forget to turn off the selfie stick when not in use.
