Software restore to get rid of (wrongful) genuine camera message?

They were correct

First try a Forced restart

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/force-restart-iphone-iph8903c3ee6/ios

If no better

Backup and restore (using the computer method preferably)

(1)How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch – Apple Support

Unlock your SIM PIN if it has one

(2) Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings – Apple Support

(3) Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup

 If the problem remains then arrange a repair

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/iphone/repair/service

You can see additional service information within the following article: 

Get your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch ready for service - Apple Support

I have exactly this problem on my iPhone 12pro. Less than 12 months old, never worked on, still under warranty.

When I spoke to Apple support they ran remote diagnostics and told me the camera would need to be replaced (although it works fine apart from the indelible warning). I booked an appointment as they suggested at the nearest Apple Store Genius Bar. Trouble is when I got to the store they refused to repair it in store even though it is still under warranty. They insisted that the phone would have to be sent back to Apple to be repaired and would take a week. Full resets didn't help the issue.

So a wasted long trip, more time wasted reactivating my previous iPhone 10 and a weeks inconvenience caused entirely by Apple trying to implement flawed software to solve a problem that wasn't even a problem. Unhappy.

But in an effort to be helpful: I've read a number of threads on several forums from people having this problem and none that I have seen has managed to remedy it by software restore.

Just to close off the story in my case: as predicted by LD150 Apple did not repair my existing 12pro to get rid of the message but instead sent me a shiny new one. Clearly there is not a software fix or they would not need to replace it.

To be fair if, when I spoke to Apple Support last Wednesday, they had just sent me a box to return it (instead of sending me on a wild goose chase miles to the nearest Apple Store) and I had received a new replacement phone by Monday or Tuesday this week I would not have felt badly treated. Seems like bad advice from support and the uncaring store staff managed to give me an unnecessarily miserable experience through not knowing or explaining their own systems. I'm sure I remember Apple staff being knowledgeable and passionate about their products and service!

You are correct.

I think the advice is if your phone is in warranty then have Apple replace it.

If the phone is out of warranty and the camera still works, then live with the message. Costs £500 to fix it. Fixing it in a third party shop will bake the message in.

Personally I occasionally offer the backup and restore option first on the basis that:

it has to be done prior to repair anyway so may as well practice it.

There's a tiny chance it may fix it.

Some glitches are fixed by software restore some need repair.

Point is if you want it repaired you need to backup and restore to factory anyway so why not try it now.

I answered it many times. Try it. Then you will know if restore fixed YOUR phone. Don't worry sbout the other billion iphones.

Over and out.

It was a wasted trip because Apple Support told me that if I went to the Apple Store the camera would be replaced while I waited. If they hadn't said that I would still have been unhappy but would have saved my time and returned it by post. I did leave the phone with the store to be repaired. The irony is that Apple Support mentioned that if I had taken it to an authorised repairer rather than the Genius bar they would likely have just got on and fixed it while I waited.

Yes I agree it is unlikely to fix a camera which has not already been fixed by a restart or forced restart.

I see what you did there, but I don't know anyone who works for Apple so I wouldn't know.

However you dont seem to understand that companies all over the world are entitled after a period of time to make repairs in a reasonable time and one week is reasonable in most civilisations.

Bypassing that is a paid-for option.

If you walked away with your phone then yes it was a wasted trip.

I am in UK too and the understanding I have is that the camera is replaced by swapping out the whole phone.

That is why "other damage" is so high in https://support.apple.com/en-gb/iphone/repair/service

You had the opportunity to buy AppleCare+ if you wanted express replacement.

You mean I should have paid extra to protect against Apple spoiling my new phone during the warranty period?

Thats the sort of thing only someone who works for Apple could think reasonable.

Apple stores/ Genius bars only replace screens and batteries. You were given bad advice (unless you live in India)