Can I Control My Smartphone Inside the Outex Phone Kits Underwater?

Recommendations for Using and Controlling your phone underwater using Outex underwater housing system.

Yes, you maintain functional control over your phone's operations inside the Outex phone case. But water pressure will limit touchscreen responsiveness underwater.  The phone's touch screen will be unresponsive while submerged because water pressure will push the Outex cover flush against the screen.  It's the same effect as if you were trying to control the phone using more than 2 fingers at a time. The touchscreen is "confused" and does not respond. Return to the surface to adjust your settings or make changes.

One helpful tip for using your phone’s touchscreen inside the Outex waterproof phone case is to intentionally trap a little extra air inside the housing before sealing it. This creates a small air gap between the cover and the touchscreen, preventing the material from clinging tightly to the screen. There’s no right or wrong way to use it. It comes down to personal preference and shooting style. With less air inside, the cover stays closer to the screen, making swiping, scrolling, and gestures feel smoother and more natural. With a larger air bubble, screen presses become more pronounced, helping the phone more clearly detect taps and inputs — especially underwater. Underwater, most users should primarily rely on the phone’s physical side buttons for functions like photo capture or video recording. iOS and most Android phones are already pre-programmed for it. But when using the touchscreen at the surface, adding a bit more air inside the housing can make touchscreen controls easier and more responsive by improving the screen’s ability to distinguish intentional presses. Learn more at Outex.com Visit the Questions/FAQs menu pages. Use keyword search for any topic of interest.

Customizing Phone's Physical Buttons

Mobile phones come pre-programmed for the hard/side buttons to operate and trigger the camera functions. In other words, you will use the phone's side/hard buttons to trigger the camera and video trigger, record/off functions when underwater. You may still change settings, adjust functions, and control the touchscreen at the surface when you come up for air, but underwater you'll be using the hard buttons for control.

For example, on iOS iPhones, the phone is pre-configured for the VOLUME buttons to trigger the camera/video function. The ON/OFF button also works. So you will take photos and record/stop the video function by pressing the volume button instead of trying to touch the screen. This function is also designed to mimic the ergonomics of a camera. So you can trigger the camera while holding it with both hands, like you would with a camera.  Newer versions of the iPhone even have a dedicated camera function button and slider, which the Outex cover allows you to use and access. 

The same is true for most Android phones, like Galaxy, Pixel, etc. Most phones, both Android and iOS allow you to customize these hard buttons as well. So you can change their functions in settings, and customize their behavior as desired. Android phones have a "Increase Touchscreen Sensitivity" setting in that you can increase the touchscreen sensitivity when using your phone inside the Outex case/housing if needed.

iPhone lets you customize both touchscreen gestures and physical buttons? While iOS doesn’t offer the deep remapping flexibility of Android, Apple has built-in features that let you tailor your device to fit your workflow, accessibility needs, or creative shortcuts. (Android phones are an open platform operating system, so each manufacturer implements features differently. You can check with your phone manufacturer to inquire about Android instructions.)

The easiest way to do it: 📱

1. With your phone off, touch the home screen to awaken the phone.
2. Long-touch the Home Screen. 
3. Press the Customize button at the bottom
4. Select the buttons you want to change, or add buttons to add.

This comes in handy when using the Outex underwater phone case, as you can customize not only the touchscreen buttons, but also the hard/side buttons on your phone.

The iPhone/iOS defaults to using the Volume down button as your shutter trigger for using your imaging/photo app. But you can also add customization features to additional side/hard buttons in settings. 

When using the Outex waterproof phone case (Outex Phone Pro Kit), we recommend launching your imaging/photo app directly from the Home Screen rather than trying to unlock/open the phone. Because:

• It takes you directly to the imaging app you intend to use with a single button press that's easier to access than navigating.
• It keeps all other apps locked-out and out of your way. So there's less interference while using the imaging/photos app from inadvertent button presses in the water.

Keep in mind that water pressure will limit touchscreen responsiveness underwater. This is normal and affects all underwater housings. Water pressure confused the phone's touchscreen, just as if you were trying to control it using more than 2 fingers at a time. Use the side/hard buttons to control imaging features. Most phones are pre-configured to operate that way in camera/video mode, for both functional and ergonomic usability. You can even customize/reprogram those buttons in settings to better fit your needs. Change settings above water using the touchscreen, then the hard/side buttons below the water.

Most phones also enable to you to access the Camera/Video functionality directly from the lockout screen. That's your best access for underwater use, since accessing it directly also prevents other functions and apps from accidentally interfering with your imaging functions. In other words, launching the camera function from the Lock Screen keeps all other functions of the phone out of your video/camera operation while in use.

Click here for additional information on the iPhone/iOS camera specific settings and customization tips and tricks.

Browse our menu pages and FAQs for additional information. Use keyword search for any topic of interest. 

For additional insights, tips, and tricks for phone operation use our Phone Photography Guide in our user community page here.