CAMERA not working on new iPHONE4.

Same thing just happened to my partner's iPhone 4. Camera app "shutter" stays closed. Rang Apple Care and talked through the various fixes - none worked. So, we were told it was a hardware issue. Then things got worse....

Apple told her that she had 2 options:

1. Send the phone back (there is no apple store in our country so she it would take up to a week) - and therefore be without a phone for a week - not an option.

OR

2. Purchase a new phone and send the faulty one back and Apple will refund the cost of the phone when they get it.

So let me get this straight: Apple sells her a faulty product and now she is out of pocket almost a thousand dollars for a week, and very upset!

Well done apple - customer service: PATHETIC!!!

If you sell a customer a faulty product - you are the ones at fault and should send a new phone out (at no extra cost to the customer).

Don't know if this will help anyone else: My iPhone 4 camera was frozen for 3 weeks. Tried several suggestions but nothing worked. Then opened an app that uses the camera (not thinking that it shouldn't work) and it functioned fine. App name is Instant Heart Rate Free. It uses the camera to show your pulse. Was meditating while using it and quit after about 20 mins as it uses the light and thus power. Just as an afterthought I tried the camera and lo & behold it was back to normal. Interested to know if anyone else has luck with this. Hate being without a camera - so glad it's back :)

my camera quit on me about a week ago. i’ve tried all of the above,resetting,itorch,and none of these worked. i’m gonna try turning my phone off and leaving it off overnite to see if that works. there are some 3rd party camera apps that work but thats besides the point…i shouldnt have to use 3rd party apps to use my camera and video recorder especially when the iphone is so expensive to purchase and maintain!!

oh yeah when i press the sleep button and home button at the same time i can hear the camera snap like its taking a photo but its on the home screen…strange

The same thing happened to my iPhone 4 after about a year. I found this video of youtube explaining how to fix the problem.

http://youtu.be/wKZ8hhoUHqQ

I ordered a replacement rear camera on eBay for $12.99. The camera came in the mail today after I ordered it about a week ago. It took me 5 - 10 minutes to replace the damaged camera with the new one. Now the shutter opens and I can take pics and videos again! I had my fingers crossed and was expecting to be disappointed but replacing the camera worked. The problem is hardware malfunction. Just be careful when you open the back and remove the screws. The screws are tiny and each is a different size. Lay the screws on a piece of paper towel in order so you remember where each goes. A pair of fine tweezers is helpful to hold the screws in place as you put it back together because the screws are TINY and hard to hold with your finger tips.

I'm having the same problem only got mine on Thursday will take it back to apple tomorrow hopefully they should sort it out , I torch works but the camera freezes so frustrating another thing I could have done without!

Hey have you fixed your front camera issue ? i am also stuck with the same problem. I have tried replacing the front camera, but no luck ...

Please help me .... My iphone is out of warranty !!!

I've got the same issue on my iPhone 4.

The shutter will not open. I've tried all the techniques listed here to get it working again but to no avail. I've carried out a restore too and nothing!

The strange thing is if I use another camera app like camera + it works for that app and I can take photos without any problem. That has convinced me that it's not a hardware problem but a software issue.

I'm running the latest OS 4.3.5

I got my phone from Vodafone and I don't want to send it back as they are likely to send out a reconditioned phone which I do not want.

Does anyone know if the Apple store will replace a handset bought through Vodafone?

Thanks

I had to take my phone to the apple store...they did a factory reset on it which got the camera working again(software problem). When I got home and connected to iTunes it asks is this a new phone you HAVE to answer yes or it will go back to the state where the camera didn't work. It's been working ever since.

I also have the same issue where camera shutter is not opening for my wife's phone. She noticed it before warranty expired but did not discuss with me as she do not use this phone as camera. Took it to apple store and they could not do anything with software and said that this is hardware problem and as it just came out of warranty, they can not do anything. Very disappointed 😟.

For your wife's phone there is a kit for sale that includes the tools and both cameras (front and back). There is a YouTube video showing how to take the phone apart and change out the cameras. I actually purchased them for my phone but didn't need to because that wasn't my issue...my point is that they work for hardware issues. I purchased the kit on ebay the cost was like $12 or $13 free shipping. A much cheaper alternative to purchasing a new phone.

This is not a software issue... I have a 13 month old iPhone4, and no Applecare. My situation is the same as everyone above, so I bought a rear camera for $29, followed the instructions I found online to replace it, and in 15 minutes, the camera works perfectly once again. DIY...

Can someone provide me the part number for the replacement camera or a link where I can order it? I attempted to purchase the camera twice on eBay but they keep sending me the wrong camera although the one pictured on their auction lists the right one.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here you go: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPhone-4-Rear-Camera/3142/1

It's out of stock, any place else?

Solved!!!

Put your phone in DFU mode.

Restore with iTunes

Do not restore from backup, but use it as a new iPhone.

Camera is working.

Sync apps etc.