Gibox

Q: iPhone 5 rear camera is not working

My iPhone 5 rear camera is not working at all. It happened out of the blue and all the sudden I just see a blurried image that gets stuck. Can anyone help me, please?

iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.3

Posted on Nov 5, 2013 2:48 AM

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Q: iPhone 5 rear camera is not working

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  • by ariel s,

    ariel s ariel s Nov 7, 2013 2:54 PM in response to Gibox
    Level 4 (1,702 points)
    Nov 7, 2013 2:54 PM in response to Gibox

    Hi Gibox,

     

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.  This article has some steps you can try if your iPhone camera is not functioning properly:

     

    iPhone: Hardware troubleshooting

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2802

    Camera isn't functioning

    1. If the screen shows a closed lens or black image, force quit the Camera app.
    2. If you do not see the Camera app on the Home screen, try searching for it in Spotlight. If the camera does not show up in the search, check to make sure that Restrictions are not turned on by tappingSettings > General > Restrictions.
    3. Ensure the camera lens is clean and free from any obstructions. Use a microfiber polishing cloth to clean the lens.
    4. Third-party cases can interfere with the autofocus/exposure feature and the flash (iPhone 4 only); try removing the case if you have image-quality issues with photos.
    5. Try turning iPhone off and then back on.
    6. Tap to focus the camera on the subject. The image may pulse or briefly go in and out of focus as it adjusts.
    7. Try to remain steady while focusing:
      • Still images: Remain steady while taking the picture. If you move too far in any direction, the camera automatically refocuses to the center. Note: If you take a picture with iPhone turned sideways, it is automatically saved in landscape orientation.
      • Video: Adjust focus before you begin recording. After recording begins, you cannot readjust focus until you stop recording. Exiting the Camera application while recording will stop recording and will save the video to the Camera Roll. Note: Video-recording features are not available on original iPhone or iPhone 3G.
    8. If your iPhone has a front and rear camera, try switching between them to verify if the issue persists on both.

     

    Cheers,

    - Ari

  • by Chris Von Buchi E,Helpful

    Chris Von Buchi E Chris Von Buchi E Nov 7, 2013 3:23 PM in response to ariel s
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 7, 2013 3:23 PM in response to ariel s

    i have the same problen as well my iPhone 5 rear camera all of a sudden went blank and it freezes when i try to swipe through it . below is the question i originally posted here

     

     

    Does anybody have this problem on their iOS7 on iPhone 5 whereby the back camera is blank and freezes and when you try to swipe through. I have restored my iPhone 5 but still the same problem. i noticed it today , it has never happened and i used the camera today as well. the front facing camera works fine just the back one. Any ideas from this valuable community.... thanks in advance much apreciated

  • by VLaZzz,Helpful

    VLaZzz VLaZzz Nov 19, 2013 4:30 AM in response to ariel s
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 4:30 AM in response to ariel s

    Same problem here...

     

    The app seems to be frozen or laggy.

    I am able to switch to front camera which seems to be working.

    However switching back to the rear camera fully freezes the app.

     

    Below is a screen grab from my phone:

     

    IMG_3626.PNG

     

    As you can see you may notice a few features missing;

    1. The filters option in the lower right hand corner
    2. Camera roll last shot in the left hand bottom corner
    3. and the HDR on/off option at the top-centre

     

    Some functions such as switching through the flash settings seem to work on occasion.

    Also in some instances I am able to flick between photo settings i.e. square/vid/pano.

     

    The stock standard trouble shooting steps mentioned above are rather useless with this issue.

    Do you have any other suggestions?

     

    Are apple looking into this issue, as it seems there are some pretty wide spread cases?

     

    Thank you

  • by Chris Von Buchi E,Helpful

    Chris Von Buchi E Chris Von Buchi E Nov 19, 2013 5:25 AM in response to VLaZzz
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 5:25 AM in response to VLaZzz

    it turns out mine was a hardware faulty... getting a replacement

  • by fablepd,Helpful

    fablepd fablepd Dec 21, 2013 4:16 PM in response to Chris Von Buchi E
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 21, 2013 4:16 PM in response to Chris Von Buchi E

    WORKAROUND FOUND ! Download and install "Awesome Camera" app and take a picture with that app. After 1-2 seconds of standby, it will work. Then you can go back to default Camera app which would work again.Please let me know if this works also for you

  • by Nice-one,Helpful

    Nice-one Nice-one Dec 22, 2013 7:26 AM in response to Gibox
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 22, 2013 7:26 AM in response to Gibox

    I have the same problem with my new I phone 5s

    I try every thing that may solve the problem starting with reset and restore 

    I don't know if it hard wear or soft wear

    Any idea ?

  • by nikkifromnsw,Helpful

    nikkifromnsw nikkifromnsw Jan 1, 2014 4:16 AM in response to VLaZzz
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 1, 2014 4:16 AM in response to VLaZzz

    I have the same problem with my iphone 5c.  I tried all the 'tricks' & none of them worked. 

    I've had the phone for 3mths all working fine till outta nowhere the rear camera froze while I was trying to take a photo. Now the rear camera only shows black background, then can switch to front cam & when I switch back to rear all is frozen..  Anyway after much frustration, I called Apple & they are sending me out a new phone..  I suggest you give Apple a call cause it seems there's nothing that can fix the problem.

       Let's hope it just doesn't happen again on the new phone!!!!  Not holding my breath!

  • by vinny152,

    vinny152 vinny152 Jan 8, 2014 12:03 PM in response to Gibox
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 8, 2014 12:03 PM in response to Gibox

    The geniuses keep suggesting the same fix and it does not work, it's incredible how many people are having the same "hardware issue" i just switched back to the iPhone from Android for the first time in years and I also work for AT&T and every customer that i have sold the 5c to is having the same exact problems. It's a bit sad i must say, I've lost many customers because of it.

  • by Anton Zuykov,

    Anton Zuykov Anton Zuykov Jan 10, 2014 11:23 PM in response to fablepd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 10, 2014 11:23 PM in response to fablepd

    that simply will not work and it is not a workaround by any means. If the camera shows purple screen or purple streaks - it is done and it doesn't matter what application will use that API in iOS - iOS hands over to the app the same broken device, a rear facing camera, that is.

     

    Take the device to a local Apple or talk to Apple representative via phone/chat. If you reset your phone and it still does the same - it is a hardware problem and it needs to be fix by Apple.

  • by pincheguru,Helpful

    pincheguru pincheguru Jan 24, 2014 2:08 PM in response to Gibox
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 24, 2014 2:08 PM in response to Gibox

    Same issue here with new iphone 5s.  Camera worked for the first couple days after I got phone, but then when I switched betwen front and rear cameras, it froze with a black screen.  None of the cobtrol buttons work.  After a hard restore recommended by support, it was still frozen.  When I went to restore my backup, camera started working again for a few shots, but now is frozen up again.  Sometimes after rebooting it will work for a few more shots, then it will freeze again with a blurry image.  Some buttons will still be functioning, but eventually all freeze.  Support tech recommended getting a new phone.  I've talked to two support techs, and both said they have never heard of this happening before... yet you go on these online forums and it is clear this is happening quite a lot of people, and the only remedy seems to be getting a replacement.  Since this seems to be a hardware issue, there's no gurantee the replacement will not have the same broken camera.  Wish Apple would look into this more closely - seems to be a production issue.

  • by Hans55,Helpful

    Hans55 Hans55 Jan 28, 2014 2:32 PM in response to Gibox
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 28, 2014 2:32 PM in response to Gibox

    My iPhone 5 rear camera just quit as well.  I wonder if its software related as I have had this phone 1.5 years with no issues.  All of a sudden im getting the same issue where the front camera works, but the rear one is just black.  The flash is also not working.  I suspect the camera is no longer connected - argh.

  • by VLaZzz,

    VLaZzz VLaZzz Jan 31, 2014 3:49 AM in response to Chris Von Buchi E
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 31, 2014 3:49 AM in response to Chris Von Buchi E

    As it turns out, mine was also also a hardware issue.

    Took it to apple and they replaced it for new.

     

    Was pretty lucky though, they just changed some consumer laws (in Australia) which ment they were able to replace free of charge. Even though it had passed the 1yr manufacturers warranty.

    The new laws extend the warranty for an extra year...

  • by Hans55,

    Hans55 Hans55 Feb 1, 2014 11:57 AM in response to Gibox
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 1, 2014 11:57 AM in response to Gibox

    I also had to have my phone replaced.  Apparently Apple does not replace the cameras in the iphone 5 (but will in the iPhone 4).  Unfortunately I was only 4 months outside the 1 year warranty so I had to pay good chunk of the replacement cost.  Would be nice for my pocket book and the environment if Apple could replace these components, better yet just design them to last longer than 15 months!

     

    One thing I was impressed with is just how easy it is to restore you entire phone from iCloud.

  • by Mayham006,Helpful

    Mayham006 Mayham006 Feb 11, 2014 10:40 PM in response to Gibox
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 10:40 PM in response to Gibox

    Hey people!

    I had the same problem this afternoon!

    Iphone 5

    Rear Camera stopped working out of the blue and got black screen and when I tried taking a pic it froze.

    Front camera worked in Instagram.

    Came here to solve it but nothing worked UNTIL

    My wife told me she had the same problem with her iphone 4

     

    Solution

     

    Hold the lock button and home button until your phone switches off, leave for about 30 seconds.

    Turn back on

     

    My camera worked straight away!

     

    Please post reply if this worked for you so others know!

    Goodluck looks like it was software problem. 

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