iPhone 12 Pro camera not focusing properly

I have contacted apple again and also spoke to others from Europe.

We all need to coordinate on a separate platform so Apple can’t remove the tread and evidence.

the only solution is media coverage and class action.

Apple really needs to fix this. I 'upgraded' my iPhone X to the 12 Pro Max and while the camera is better for most pictures, it is a huge downgrade for close up photos which is a majority of what I shoot. This needs to be addressed and some solution provided!

Funny how if you mention anything negative against Apple in a “community forum” they remove your message. Well Apple, how are we suppose to let you know how your consumers feel? I don’t see you sending out surveys or really putting forth any effort to help. Look how many people post online with this issue and where are you?? Ohh you’re all to focused on making sure no one says bad things.... so where is your quick response to all the complaints about the lies you sold us? Hmm 🤔

What platform should we take this conversation to? I noticed that I'm receiving reply updates in my email that I'm not seeing in this thread, which simply means Apple is clearly deleting comments instead of updating us on a solution. Ideally I would like Apple to refund me and take their 12 pro back, Apple if you're looking for comments to delete, how about you offer us a satisfactory solution for the money we paid for this device?

It’s really ridiculous to me that there are all of these comments and Apple’s response is zip. You can’t sell a product that you tout as “the best yet” when really it’s a big downgrade. I scan barcodes frequently when I’m shopping and have had the worst time doing so. I also can scan my credit card numbers when apps ask to I put it that way.

It isn’t just the non-ability to take close up photos, but it’s hindering its use in other places that need to focus on close up shots.

Do something, Apple!

If your 12 Pro (not the Max) is still having close focus issues, and you've updated to the latest version of iOS, you should take it in for repair. The 12 pro issue was solvable in software, and feedback from 12 Pro owners seems to confirm that the fix worked. So if it didn't work for you, then you may have an issue specific to your phone.

The speculation about the 12 Pro Max issue is that it's a hardware issue and not necessarily a "defect" per se. It may simply be the laws of optics at work, that with the new lens and the larger sensor, the minimum focusing distance for the camera is no longer the same, and that was a tradeoff Apple felt was worth the improvements. Which I would be okay with... IF they had informed prospective buyers of the 12 Pro Max of this change, which they did not. I would have definitely opted for the 12 Pro had I known this. Instead, I'm now stuck with a phone that I chose specifically for its improved camera that literally isn't capable of the kind of close-up photography that I've done for years with iPhones.

I have a 12 pro that is updated with the latest OS and I’m still having the same issue focusing on close up images that my old iPhone 8 could do. I contacted my phone carrier to get my iPhone 8 back but of course it’s too late. Luckily I still have my Samsung Galaxy S10. I have more issues with the 12 pro than just the camera.

This phone is suppose to be fast etc but the pages load slower than my son's iPhone 8 and my GS10 and it’s incredibly laggy.

Oh, thank you for mentioning scanning barcodes and credit cards - I didn’t connect these problems with the camera issue, silly me!

Yes, you are right - I can confirm that I had problems with both scanning barcode and credit card, plus photographing closeups I mentioned previously.

I tried to contact Apple via chat, three people from Apple chatted with me and no one could give me any solution, at the end they said they scheduled someone to call me, but never happened.

I just contacted Apple support. I own an iPhone 12 Pro Max with iOS 14.3.

I have the same issue that everyone is describing here. Note that I own the Pro Max version, not the normal Pro.

They did some remote diagnostic and concluded that "the cameras are in good condition".

They also said that "This is expected behavior for iPhone 12 Pro Max specifically. The device has a larger camera sensor and optics so the macro focus distance (MFD, or minimum focus distance) was increased compared to other iPhone 12 or iPhone 11 devices."

Now I regret going for the 12 Pro Max and not getting the 12 Pro, as the normal Pro version doesn't seem to have this problem.. welp.. 1300€ down the toilet.

Thank you for posting this, iLightning, despite the depressing conclusion that there will be no fix for this. To add support to what you're saying, Apple just shipped me a brand new "replacement" 12 Pro Max, which I booted up immediately to test the camera, and the problem is identical to the 12 Pro Max I have, which I bought the first day it was available. So any thought that the problem might have been corrected in more recently manufactured phones is wishful thinking.

As I've mentioned before, the issue here is not that Apple made this change--it's the king of all companies when it comes to making product changes that people don't necessarily want or like, at least initially, if Apple believes the change is ultimately worth whatever compromise is involved. The difference here is that Apple made this significant change with no notice to the buying public, so we could not make an informed decision about which iPhone to buy. Like you, I would have chosen the 12 Pro had I known--and while Apple was willing to send me a new 12 Pro Max replacement that didn't solve the problem, they're unwilling to send a new 12 Pro "downgrade" that WOULD solve the issue. ("We can replace the exact phone you have, but it's too late to exchange it for a different model." Arrgghhh....)

Actually the iPhone 12 Pro has the same exact issues. Notice this thread was started by an iPhone 12 Pro user. Not a Max user. I can confirm as well since I own an iPhone 12 Pro that the macro is terrible, especially during FaceTime where you don’t have the option to use the 2x lens as they have suggested. I upgraded from the iphoneX and still have to use my iPhone X for FaceTime when I have items that have to be shown up close. I Should have just stayed with the iphoneX.

Yeah, I feel your pain @charlesrn.

To add salt to the wound, if I remember correctly, even my very old iPhone 6s Plus from 2015 was able to focus closer than my current 2020 12 Pro max, which cost me 1300€.

Why does Apple disappoint me so much.. First the Airpods Pro ANC issue (I bought them at the end of November 2020), where they reduced the ANC effect by a huge margin, because apparently hearing nothing was so dangerous to some people that they got into accidents and I assume they complained to Apple. I assume as to avoid lawsuits, Apple reduced the effect of ANC, rather than let users configure the level. And now this camera focus issue.

@Mrkinch78: Interesting. So only the "weaker" 12 does not have this issue?

Isn’t it strange how 12 pro max users are insisting that a phone that they don’t have (12 pro) is not having the same problem or that it’s fixed. It we weren’t having the same problem we wouldn’t be here saying that we are, you’re sounding like Apple. It may not be as bad as on the 12 pro max, but us 12 pro users are also facing focusing issues and unable to scan barcodes.

If your 12 pro is now fixed, can you comment that it’s fixed so we know that you once had the issue and now it’s resolved?

Actually, the 12 Pro focus issues were software related and addressed in an iOS update. (It also has a completely different camera system from the Pro Max, which explains why cause of the issue was different.) If you're running the latest iOS and your 12 Pro still doesn't close focus, you should take your phone in for repair

Actually it’s not software related. Did you hear that from Apple? The iPhone 12 pro has the same issue. You can get macro focus by using the two times lens but that does nothing to resolve issues for apps that don’t offer a zoom. Furthermore how does it seem to make sense that we would have to take a brand new phone for service? This is the point. We were sold a product not operating as advertised. That would mean every iPhone 12 pro user needs to take their phone for service. This is one forum of many, and tens of thousands of people all with the same issue. In the car industry that would be considered a lemon