Samsung Galaxy S3: How to Change the Volume Key Function in Camera App in Android 4.3

In Android 4.3, Camera app is one of the app that has new features. One of which is the new camera mode called Sound and Shot which will allow you record the background sound up to 5 or 9 seconds before capturing the picture.

See also: How to Take Picture Using Sound and Shot Mode in Samsung Galaxy S3 With the Android 4.3

In this recent update, the users also has the ability to set the Volume key function in the Camera app. As we all know that the Volume key used to control zoom in the Camera app. Now, in the Android 4.3, you're not only be able to set the Volume key as the zoom key but also as the camera key or the record key.


How to change the Volume key function?
Below are the steps to do so:
  1. Open Camera app.
  2. Tap the Cogwheel icon to enter the settings menu.
  3. Tap Volume key option, then tap it.
  4. Here you'll see three options available, they are:
    • The zoom key: choose this option to set the Volume key to control zoom.
    • The camera key: choose this option to allow you use the Volume up key or Volume down key to take the picture.
    • The record key: choose this option to allow you use the Volume up key or Volume down key to record the video.
  5. Tap the desired function you want. When the radio button next the option shows green means the option is selected.
  6. The Volume key function has been changed.

The ability to change the Volume key function in Camera app of course will helpfull for those of you who wants to use the physical button to take picture or to record the video. So, hope this helps :)

31 comments:

  1. Dear Rehan,
    I appreciate what you've done here on Galaxy SIII. All your explanations are superb. Good work and keep it up. Quick one, Please I have Samsung Galaxy S3 which was updated to Android 4.3 about 2 weeks back. While reading through this tutorial, I find somethings:
    1. On my camera app, there is no volume key option, so I can't take pics using volume key option.
    2. My phone does not have the lock screen light effect option.
    3. I also do not have the Hidden Bean Flinger Daydream
    What do you think is the cause of these?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ola Bada,
      Thanks for coming.
      Can you please tell me what's the model number of your phone? You can find this in the Settings> tap More tab> tap About device> see the value of the Model number.
      However, these are the answers for your questions:
      1. While you're on camera settings, if the settings is displayed as tab, tap the cogwheel tab and then find the "Volume key" option. From here, you can assign the Volume key as the camera key.
      2. In some models, the light effect is not available. But, make sure you're using the swipe unlock methods to allow you using the lock screen effect.
      3. First, you need to unveil the hidden Bean in the Settings> tap More tab> tap About device> tap Android version repeatedly until the Easter egg animation of the Android Jelly Bean is displayed. Once you've done, you should have the BeanFlinger Daydream option.
      Finally, I hope this short answer is helps :)

      Delete
  2. Many thanks for your response Rehan. The model of phone is GT-I9300, Android 4.3, Baseband I9300XXUGMK6, Kernel Version is 3.0.31-2303192 dpi@DELL338 #1.

    I got the hidden bean as u said, thanks. But I still could not find the volume key option in the setting. When I clicked on the cogwheel, these are the options I have:
    Edit shortcut, Burst Shot, GPS tag, Self-portrait, Flash, shooting mode, Effects, Scene mode, Exposure value, Focus mode,Timer, Resolution, white balance, ISO, Metering, Auto contrast, Guidelines, Auto share shot, Anti-shake, Contextual filename, voice control, save as flipped, image quality, storage and reset....but no volume option.
    I also noticed my phone only has the Qwerty keyboard option. there is no option for 3x4 keyboard option. I checked as you described in the tutorial but can't find it.
    Am sorry for the disturbance, please bear with me.

    Regard,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ola Bada,
      Thanks for getting back on me.
      These are the answers for the questions:
      1. Volume option in Camera app: seems this option only available in GT-I9300 with custom ROM not with the official one.
      2. 3x4 keyboard: sadly to say that the 3x4 keyboard option is removed in the Android 4.3. If you have the difficulties to use that small qwerty keyboard, you could try to use third-party keyboard app called A Keyboard FREE BETA app which is offer a similar 3x4 keyboard feature. Here's the
      links:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.akeyboard

      Delete
  3. Thanks rehan , Ola bada i have similar problem in my s3 but we cant do anything . m i right rehan ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Imran Malek,
      Thanks for coming.
      You said that you have a similar problem with Ola bada, but he has submitted some questions for some issues. So, can you please tell me which one is similar with yours?

      Delete
  4. Thanks rehan, same problem i have found in my S 3, rehan it means we cant use volume key for zoom ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Imran Malek,
      Thanks for coming.
      By default, the Volume key is used to control zoom in Camera app. So, if what you mean is that you have no Volume option in your Camera setting, then you should still be able to increase the zoom by using the Volume up key or decrease the zoom by using the Volume down key.

      Delete
  5. My model is SGH-T999, Android 4.3; Baseband T999UVUEMJC; KERNEL VER 3.0.31-1962493
    No volume option to swap with camera

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Techman,
      Thanks for coming.
      Well, I'm so sorry to confirm that this option only available in the custom ROM, not the official one. Other way, you can use one of apps available in the Google Play Store which is offer a feature to take picture with the Volume key (eg:VolShutter Camera app).

      Delete
  6. When I use volume key for zooming s3 says cannot zoom in out this mode how solve this issue help me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Haritham,
      Thanks for coming.
      FYI, you can't use the Volume key to zoom in or out in some camera modes(eg: panorama mode).

      Delete
  7. I had the same problem (the volume key was not zooming) and i reset the phone to factory settings. The problem was solved.

    There is also a reset in the camera settings menu. You can try that and if not make a backup and reset the phone.
    The system remains at 4.3 and will download all apps automatically.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi George Sofocleous,
      Thanks for coming and share your experience here.
      I don't know should I be happy or not about it, I've never experienced this issue in my phone so I couldn't duplicate the issue. I only noticed that I can't used the volume key to zoom in or out in some camera modes(eg. panorama mode). However, I'm agree with you to try resetting the camera app's setting first to see whether it fixes the problem. If not, may the factory reset will be the last effort that we can do. But, I hope there will be somebody who has non-factory reset solution to fix this problem and willing to share his experience here with us.

      Delete
    2. i also have the same prob as yours.. this happen when im upgrade my s3, icant zoom in and out also my keyboard is just qwerty.. i try all your suggestion but nothing good happen.. im so sad i just hope that i can downgrade my s3 so that i can use my camera better and i can text well its so hard to use qwerty :-(

      Delete
    3. Hi Alarise Canosa,
      Thanks for coming and I'm so sorry for late answer.
      #1: Can't zoom in/out in the Camera app
      Aside from some camera modes that won't allow you to zoom in or out, when you're in the Easy mode(Home screen mode) you're also not allowed to zoom in or out. So, try to check whether you're in Easy mode by going to Settings> tap "My device" tab> tap "Home screen mode' and then select "Standard mode". Now, try to zoom in or out in the Camera app. If you still unable to zoom in or out using the Volume key then try to zoom in or out in the Camera app by pinching the screen.
      #2: keyboard type is only QWERTY
      FYI, 3x4 keyboard has been removed in Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. However, a few days ago my Samsung Galaxy S4 got update to Android 4.4 Kitkat, and 3x4 keyboard is now available again. So, I hope it'll also happen with the Samsung Galaxy S3.

      Delete
  8. Omigosh! That last suggestion did the trick. Had to go to 'settings' from the home screen and changed from 'easy' to 'standard' under home screen mode. Now I can use the volume keys to zoom in or out. Thanks so much. You are right, though. If all else fails you can still zoom the screen by expanding with fingers or zoom in by pinching the screen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ann Marie Pedraza,
      Thanks for coming and let me know that one of suggestions I've mentioned here has worked on you :)

      Delete
  9. Dear Rehan,
    Please i would like you to assist me on how to root my phone. Am still using Samsung Galaxy SIII with the latest Android 4.3 update (Last month May Update).
    Have watched and read a couple of tutorial online but none seem to be working and I do not want to spoil the phone that is why I need your professional help.
    I would appreciate if you can direct me on how to go about it and not loose any of my downloaded application.

    Thank you in anticipation.

    Regards,
    Ola Bada

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ola Bada,
      I'm so glad to see you again. May God always bless you :)
      Well, I have to confirm that I'm just a Samsung phone user like you, not an expert one. I myself never root in Android 4.3 Jelly Bean so I have no expertise to guide you on it. But, since I read your comment, I tried to find out how to help you find the answer for your question. I then found a link that may be help you. This site describes how to root Android 4.3 XXUGMK6 Jelly Bean on GT-I9300 which is the same specs with yours as you said in your previous comment you submitted in this post. As a note, please read the whole post carefully before doing root your phone. Here's the link:http://www.teamandroid.com/2013/12/28/root-xxugmk6-android-43-galaxy-s3-i9300-jelly-bean-firmware/

      Delete
  10. Dear Rehan,

    Many thanks. Appreciated. I will let you know the outcome later.

    Thank you and stay blessed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Ola Bada.
      It's always be great trying to help each other, though it may not always help in the end :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Rehan, I would like to ask you about why I can't tap my volume control option?, my phone is Samsung S3

      Delete
  11. My s3 doesn't have a volume key, so what do I do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kelsey Dauntless,
      Thanks for coming.
      FYI, this option will be available if your phone has been updated to the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. But, in some model numbers, this option is not available.

      Delete
  12. My s3 doesn't have the volume key option Model number GT-I9305
    I want to take pics using the voulme key

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Zack Cody,
      Thanks for coming.
      The Volume key option can be found in the stock Camera app when your phone had been updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Unfortunately, this option is not available in some model numbers.
      If you want to be able to take pics using the Volume key, you can alternatively use a third party Camera app from the Play Store that has that feature, e.g: Volume Button Camera app, Whistle Camera, etc.

      Delete
  13. Hi Rehan
    Thanks for a help that I saw in volume zoom problem

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi
    Please help me I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 and am trying to find the volume setting in the camera app , so that I can pair and use a wireless tripod selfie stick. I have managed to pair it ok but when trying to take a picture with the remote it just pops up on screen "Cannot zoom in or out in this mode" and won't let me take a photo. There is no volume option under the cog wheel to adjust it as I found out by searching online that this is what I need to do, so can you help me figure this out so I can use my new tripod selfie stick and take a photo with the remote ? I am using device name and model name GT-I9300, android version 4.3, base version I9300XXUGMK6, Kernal Version 3.0 31-2168382 se.infra@R0301-02 #1 Thu Nov 28 21:02:26 KST 2013 Build Number JSS15J.I9300XXUGMK6. Thanks

    ReplyDelete

Hi the insiders,
Thanks for coming and I hope you can get something useful here.
Before submitting your comment to ask about an issue, please make sure to provide information as much as possible (at least write your model number and Android version) and describe the problem clearly.
Also, since all comments will be moderated, all comments with irrelevant links(if any) or contain with offensive/harsh word will be deleted.
The last, if you have a question and can't find the relevant article, please feel free to reach me through the Contact us page. I'll be more than happy to reply the email and answer the question :)