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Camera App has disappeared

Just updated my iPhone 3G to version 3.0 and the Camera App has disappeared.
So far I`ve:
Checked all pages - not anywhere
Done a full restore - still not returned.
Check Restrictions - they were not on.
Allocated Camera to home button but still not working

Can anyone help PLEASE?

Iphone 3G, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jun 18, 2009 3:44 AM

Reply
20 replies

Jun 18, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Sanks

I have the same problem. I updated 3 company phones yesterday to 3.0 and everything worked perfectly after. But this morning all three phones were missing the camera app.

I have checked everything I can think of including limitations, settings aso. But nothing. It's not likely a hardware problem since three phones got the same problem. Likely an issue with the 3.0 update.

Can anyone advise. An apple representative perhaps?

Jun 18, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Micro67

There appears to be a bug with this new update (3.0) - If you're using Exchange (sync) support with the new firmware, then the camera disappears. If you deactivate the Exchange email account ( temporarily) the camera magically appears.

Maybe Apple will call this a 'security feature'? 😉 < said as a joke > because many larger organizations shun using camera phones internally. In fact, many government/federal institutions do not allow you to bring camera phones into their offices...

Whatever the reason, it's a bug.. not sure if it's a completely 100% known one but the next small point update should alleviate that.

Try deactivating the exchange account and see if your camera icon shows up.. .Mine does..

Good luck....

Rudy

Jun 18, 2009 10:42 AM in response to Sanks

I found a solution to the problem.

Exchange 2007 has active sync policies. One of the options is to disallow the camera.

To resolve the problem do the following.
1) Open Exchange Management Console
2) Click "Organization Configuration"
3) Click "Client Access"
4) On the right you should see your active sync policies. Right click the policy and chose "Properties"
5) Click the "Device" tab
6) Check "Allow camera"

Jun 18, 2009 11:43 AM in response to bryan mahin

Thanks Micro / Rudy / Bryan,

At least I know I am not alone in this!

Bryan, I assume you are refering to amending the settings in Exchange Server rather than on the iPhone? As I don`t have access the my work mail server. But I am using an active sync.

Turned off active sync & the Camera App re-appeared so it would seem this is the issue.

I hope Apple takes note of this & provides a phone-based-solution as it is an issue that should be dealt with, as my iPhone is private but I use it for work mails when not in the office.

Thanks all.

Sanks

Jun 18, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Sanks

Apple doesn't need to do anything to phones missing the cameras due to exchange side configurations. Technically this "problem" is really a new feature. All phones that connect to a 2007 exchange server are subject to the policies outlined by the exchange administrator. Before the 3.0 update, iphones were not applying the policies correctly.

The camera functionality was either disabled on purpose or accident by the exchange admin. If by accident, the admin just needs to re-enable it. You may have to remove the exchange account from your phone and re-add it after he makes the config change.

Jun 18, 2009 1:12 PM in response to bryan mahin

I do not use activesync or any kind of sync and my camera was not there after my upgrade to firmware 3.0.

How I solved my problem was:

Settings-> General-> Restriction->

I then turned on restrictions.
Then disabled all the programs.
Home button
Reboot

Settings-> General-> Restrictions->

Enabled all programs again
Home button

Settings-> General-> Restrictions->

disabled restrictions
Home button

My camera then reappeared.

Jun 19, 2009 3:17 AM in response to bryan mahin

Bryan,

I take you point & thanks again for the clarification.
But I still feel this is a pointless hinderance for private phones users.

If the iPhone is a corporate devise then surely the more elegant solution would be for the phone to have its configuration 'locked' by the corporate IT during its set-up.

What we have is private users having functioality removed from the phone without their permission.

Let's be honest, to use the camera, all I have to do is disable the sync & take whatever pictures I like. Hardley a true 'security feature' of the new software.

This should have been dealt with in a more sensible manner by Apple & I hope the allow private users a solution to this.

Thanks again for your replys,

John

Jun 19, 2009 9:44 AM in response to Sanks

I'm not going to debate with you for apple, but I can see the advantages and disadvantages of iphone/active sync policies from a user and infrastructure standpoint.

I haven't tested any of the other server side settings with an iphone, but there are quite a few available. Other settings do make sense even if they are able to be re-enabled by disabling corporate email. These options include disabling wifi, disabling bluetooth, setting a maximum attachment size, disallowing consumer email accounts to be setup, limitations on how far back email or calendar items are syncd, etc.

Disabling wifi and bluetooth for example help limit potential security risks while the device is syncing with an exchange server.

Jun 20, 2009 2:49 AM in response to bryan mahin

Bryan,

I didn't want to debate with you. Just wanted to make, what I thought, were valid points on the 3.0 update.

As I said, I take your points and I thank you for your help, which I really appreciate.

I passed your instructions to our CIO, who luckily, is a fellow iPhone user & the server was updated last night. Camera App has re-appeared.

Thank again.

Camera App has disappeared

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