iPhone 12 Pro camera not focusing properly

To be fair to Apple and the iPhone 12 Pro Max... Overall it is a wonderful camera system with some nice improvements. Yes, the close focus issue is a problem and it was a mistake for Apple to lose that capability.

Got my phone in February 2021. Mines the same. Has all the issues I found by googling. Took it to Apple shop Tuesday, they checked it over no hardware problem apparently, said it was software! If I take a selfie with windows behind, totally over exposed, little focusing square doesn’t work. Apparently the 12 is ok and I was umming and arraign about which one to get! So fed up.

There are other focusing problems not just blurring. Yes your right, there needs to be a minimum close up focusing guide. I was told the colouration and focusing were software issues. Mine just does not do back, side lit shots! My 7 was so much better. Apparently the 12 doesn’t have the problems that the Pro & Max do.

I’ve already had multiple Genius Bar appts.

The first time, the “genius” said it’s supposed to work like this and it’s normal for what you seen on the display to bounce around and be blurry because the camera is trying to figure out which lens is best for every photo. I explained, again, that it NEVER focuses (at near) and becomes clear and she had no response… She wouldn’t do anything to correct the problem.

The second genius said “Oh, my gosh we need to send this back to the company - something is definitely not working properly & they’ll want to try to figure this out as soon as possible.”

My brand new iPhone was replaced.

The problem persists.

I’ve seen your posts back in the beginning (2020 when you were telling me and everyone with a 12 Pro that our model isn’t affected), if that’s the case for the 12 pro max, why are the Apple geniuses troubleshooting it and replacing phones etc? Didn’t Apple already know this prior to releasing, given the amount of testing these devices undergo? Why not just say that? Isn’t the truth easier than troubleshooting, exchanging and promising updates to “fix the problem”? If you can recognize this, wouldn’t the Apple geniuses too? Unless you’re more of a genius than all of those geniuses combined, which I know you actually are bc I believe you are correct.

My issue is that IT DOES affect the 12 pro, that’s why we are here too, this thread was started for a 12 pro, we noticed a problem we didn’t have with prior models, something we tried to do and couldn’t. We should have the option to return this back to Apple even if just for an exchange for a different model. The ability to get close is an important feature that we need and I don’t want to use the other lens, it looks odd.

This is exactly what happened to me. I used my 11 Pro Max (and older versions) to take pictures of jewelry and purses that I sell, which requires me to take close up photos and I can no longer do that with my 12 Pro Max. I had to buy a new Canon camera with macro capability in order to continue my side business. I just wish I could get my 11 back….

I am an iPhone12 pro max user and I have encountered the same problem. I don't think it's my operation method wrong.

Yes agree with you. I already brought my 12 pro max to the service center its already for replacement. I hope the new phone don't have this focusing issue anymore.

I have an iPhone 12 pro and is experiencing the same issue (as well as many other folks when I did a quick google search). It is unable to focus when I open the app then get close or if I am already close to the object and open the camera app. I noticed it today when attempting to get an up close shot. This issue happens every single time. My software version is 14.2.1. It also happens when recording a video up close.

For the 12ProMax this seems a physical limitation of the new lens system, resulting in an inability to focus inside of ~4 5/8”. No mention was made by Apple of this change, and all the “professional” camera writers/reviewers/bloggers were so mesmerized testing night mode that they failed to even notice this.

This means the min field of view is much larger, and as a result the effective macro resolution,and thus capability, is crippled vs past models.

And so, to summarize my own tests in simple terms:

\\

The iphone 12 pro max’s ability to take detailed close range photos is over 40% worse than last year’s 11 pro max. ‘’

All other 12’s including the 12 pro do not have this limitation. They can focus at just under 3” , in line w previous years’ models. There was a Camera software bug in 14.1 that made it extremely difficult to focus at that distance on the 12 pro, but that was largely was addressed in 14.2.

Same question here. Maybe there’s hidden settings, but so far, wishing I had my 10 Max back. The closeup photos are unable to focus, the long shots seem to focusing everywhere but center. Is there a way to bring / set the focus to center focusing. Right now...Not impressed. Very disappointed.

i experienced this as well and quickly returned my iPhone 12 pro max. What a huge mistake they made with this phone. My 11pro max allows me to get the close shots I need for my business. They really should address this issue because it’s not even really an upgrade but a downgrade.

I have an iPhone 12 pro and I have the same exact problem so how are you saying it’s not affecting the 12 pros when several of us here complaining have the 12 pro (not max)? If you look through the thread you will see that it also affects the 12 pro. Yours might be unaffected, but ours is.

I understand your explanation. However my old iPhone 8 and Samsung galaxy s10 both can get closer than 3 inches, why the change on iPhone 12 pro? I photograph jewelry and other items and I need to get close. The 2x lens looks too zoomed. I guess I’ll use my 3 year old galaxy for that.

I don’t want mine either and it’s too late for me too 😩. At least I still have my Samsung phone but who wants to pay a monthly bill for a phone that they dislike for 2 years! Among the camera, I’m experiencing several other issues. They have the audacity to charge this much for this beta phone and didn’t even include a wall plug or earphones.