Home » Learn More » How to use a selfie stick? – The complete guide
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- Posted on shaun
- in Learn More
- on February 6, 2015
- 136 Comments.
The straight forward answer: How to use a selfie stick?
- Identify the type of selfie stick you are using.
- Pair the devices to enable Bluetooth function (or inserting it into the jack).
- Alternatively, set a timer of Bluetooth function is not available.
- Use camera apps such as Camera 360 for better overall performance (optional).
- Extend the selfie stick and adjust the angle based on your needs.
It seems simple, doesn’t it? Well, in some cases, it can be really difficult to operate (if not you wouldn’t be here today reading this page). What is included in this page?
- Complete guide to using a selfie stick (covering all kinds of selfie stick)
- Common problems faced when operating a selfie stick and ways to overcome them
- Tips to improve your selfie experience
It certain cases, it is quite hard to understand the instructions stated on the manual (that comes together wtih the selfie stick you bought) because the proficiency of English used is low. This is because most selfie stick products are manufactured in Asian countries (i.e. China).
Info: Don’t be shocked to know that the English instructions in some manuals are basically translated from other languages (i.e. Chinese) using Google Translate Application!
Note: Knowing that you guys might be having a hard time trying to operate your selfie stick, we decide to create this informational page to help you get going. We will be trying to cover as many aspects as possible in this page (forgive us if we don’t because there are really ample of brands out there).
How to mount your device on the selfie stick
Basically there are two types of devices that we use with a selfie stick – smartphones and cameras.
Cameras
For most selfie sticks (monopods) there should be a screw-like structure at the top of the pole which is where you attached your camera to. Just in case the product is already attached with the phone holder when it arrived, try removing the phone holder from the selfie stick (normally by rotating anticlockwise).
Note: Just to warn you, if you can’t remove the phone holder from the pole, most probably your selfie stick isn’t compatible with cameras. Also, when attaching your camera onto the pole, make sure that it fits exactly (sometimes, the screw area on the pole is only compatible with the phone holder that comes with it, not with cameras).
If you are really desperate, you can still try to mount your camera (just like how you do it with your smartphone) on the phone holder. This normally works if your camera is small and slim. We don’t recommend doing this, do this at your own risk.
Suggestion: If you want to use cameras instead of smartphones for any reason, you should check on the specs of the product (see whether it is compatible with cameras) thoroughly before making your purchase. We do create detailed reviews of selfie stick products to make sure you don’t buy anything wrong.
Smartphones
You will have to mount your phone on the extendable phone holder that comes together with the product. Just in case you are not aware, all phone holders (despite of it’s design) are extendable to accommodate phones of various sizes. I will show two main kinds of phone holders (various brands use these two kinds of phone holders unless you are using gopro types of sticks).
First kind: You have to extend the phone holder horizontally until your phone fits into it (try to make sure that not more than 25% of your phone is not seated on the black pad). Then, extend the phone holder vertically until your phone fits into it.Now, you have to clip your phone with the orange color pad, try to make it as secure as possible (your phone will not be damaged or scratched even if you press down a little harder because the soft pad will cushion the impact).
Second kind: Start off by extending the phone holder and then fitting your phone in between the bottom and the top of the phone holder. Gently release the extended part and the spring will pull both parts (the bottom and the top) together to hold your phone firmly.
Note: For both types of phone holder, you are require to tighten the screw after you are happy with the angle of the device to make it stay in place.
Precaution: You are advised to remove your phone covers especially if you are using large phones like iPhone 6+ or your phone might not fit perfectly in the phone holder.
Update: Recently, I created a lists of selfie stick for users with heavy smartphones, such as iPhone 6 Plus after many readers emailed me for suggestion of selfie sticks that are strong and sturdy for their smartphones. I realized that most (around 75%) of the selfie stick in the market isn’t REALLY compatible with large smartphones although they claimed to be.
What do I mean by “isn’t REALLY compatible’? Basically, it is when the pole couldn’t support the weight of your smartphone and it bends a little (or sometimes, a lot) when extended to it’s maximum length. This is dangerous, if it happens to break, you might lose your phone. Besides, some phone holders are weak and brittle, they will crack even on the first day the product arrived.
I highly recommend that you check out the best selfie sticks I recommend.
I know, you might be facing other problem, such as your selfie stick malfunction, Bluetooth pairing with your smartphone fails or probably just couldn’t get the stick work in the right way. If you are really serious in getting a high quality selfie stick at an affordable price, check out the link above.
Download a camera app
You will need to download a camera app despite which kinds of selfie stick you use (I will be explaining how to use each kind of selfie stick below). There are tons of camera apps in the Apps Store but the one that I will be recommending to you is the Camera 360 app.
Note:Here is a compilation of the best selfie stick apps (there are 11 of them).
Why Camera 360?
First: It comes with the timer function which is needed when you are using selfie sticks without any bluetooth system.
Second: Some selfie sticks are only compatible with the in-built camera app of famous phone models such as iPhone, Samsung and LG. For other phone models, you will need Camera 360 in order for the bluetooth function to work.
Third: Camera 360 has various functions such as photo editing to improve your selfie experience.
How to Start Taking a Selfie?
There are three types of selfie sticks as mentioned above.
Selfie Stick without Bluetooth Function
- Mount your phone or camera on the selfie stick
- Adjust the angle of the device used and then tighten the screw
- Extend the stick to desired length
- Set the timer (approximately 5 seconds using the Camera 360 app)
- Smile and get ready for your selfie
Selfie Stick with Bluetooth Shutter/Remote
Before you start taking your selfie, you need to make sure that the bluetooth shutter works. Power up your bluetooth shutter (either by charging or inserting batteries). Then, pair the devices using the bluetooth system through these steps
- Switch on the bluetooth shutter
- Try to search for the name of the bluetooth shutter (normally stated in the instructions area)
- If you can’t find the device name in your phone’s bluetooth pairing area, try switching off your phone and the bluetooth shutter for five minutes
- Then turn both on again, you should be able to pair them.
- If you still fail to do so, it means that both device are incompatible
- Once connected, open your camera app and click the button on the bluetooth shutter
- You should be able to take photos now.
- If you can’t take any photos although both devices have connected, try downloading Camera 360 app.
Once the bluetooth shutter works, you can start taking photos by following the steps stated above under the subtitle “Selfie Stick without Bluetooth Function”, except that you do not need to use a timer, you just need to click the button on the bluetooth shutter.
Selfie Stick with In-built bluetooth system
There are basically two types of in-built bluetooth system. The first type uses bluetooth pairing, which means that the procedure to operate it is similar as above (selfie stick with bluetooth shutter/remote) except that the button is on the selfie stick itself.
The second type doesn’t use bluetooth pairing. Instead, there is a wire which is inserted to the hole where you insert your earphone. This is much more efficient compared to bluetooth pairing because you do not need to pair devices (pairing can be very frustrating especially when you can’t pair the devices).
Common problems and how to overcome them
1) Stick bends downwards. This has been a common scenario when the stick is extended to it’s maximum length and mounted by a heavy phone such as iPhone 6+. You can either look for a better quality stick ($30 above) or compromise to the situation by not extending the stick to it’s maximum length. This should solve the problem
2) Bluetooth ran out of battery. Normally bluetooth remotes/in-built selfie sticks that run with batteries are more long-lasting compared to those rechargeable ones. Remember to take along a power bank with you during vacations and it should be fine.
3) Fail to pair up devices. I found out that by switching off your phone and the bluetooth remote for around 5 minutes and then switching them back on might allow you to pair the devices. This is not a 100% guarantee method, but definitely worth to try.
4) Stick does not extend smoothly. I see many people complaining that their selfie sticks do not extend and contract easily. Seriously, this is not a big issue to deal with. Apply grease regularly around the stick and you will see great improvement.
If you face any problem with your selfie stick, please share with us at the comment area below so more people get to learn from your experience, thanks!
Is your selfie stick working now?
If you follow my guide above, you should be able to use your selfie stick right now (excluding those gopro selfie sticks). If you still fail to operate your selfie stick, it means that there is something wrong with the stick. Either you didn’t know enough about the product or the product doesn’t work as advertised.
If you are planning to get another selfie stick to replace your current one, you should look for thorough review on each specific product so you won’t make a mistake getting something that doesn’t meet up to your expectations. Like the saying goes, why make a mistake when you can avoid it?
Here, in magical selfie stick, we review products from various online store to show you exactly what to expect when you buy that specific product, visit our huge selfie stick review resource page to gain access to our reviews of products.
For iPhone 6 Plus users, or those with large phones, I recommend checking out my top 8 best selfie stick list.
Where can I get a 100% flawless selfie stick?
Sadly, there are no such place where you can get a 100% flawless selfie stick. However, we can help you to choose the best selfie stick that suits you best through our review page as mentioned in the above paragraph.
Just help us maintain this totally free website by sharing it out with your friends. We really thank you a lot for sharing it out!
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Post Tagged with Android, how to use a selfie stick, iPhone 6 Plus, monopods, problems faced when using selfie stick, selfie, Selfie stick, selfie stick review, Selfie sticks, selfies, smartphones, tips to improve selfie experience
First kind: You have to extend the phone holder horizontally until your phone fits into it (try to make sure that not more than 25% of your phone is not seated on the black pad). Then, extend the phone holder vertically until your phone fits into it.
