Camera black after IOS 16 Update

Apparently on my iPhone 8 Plus, my camera app suddenly stopped working and it only shows black screen when I opened up the Camera app and I can’t take pictures, but the selfie camera works for me only, I tried to fix it by freeing up storage and memories and I updated my software to iOS 16.6 (The maximum of the software version), but still, it never works, and my flashlight is also not working

iOS 17.2 did this to me as well on the same day. I tried everything, including the factory reset, nothing worked.

I got proof today that the camera still works as I went to add my credit card back onto my phone and the camera worked to scan my card. Doesn't work with anything else though.

I found a solution guys!!

For me when fiddling with the magnifying, once I can get it to 0.5x the back camera turns on. (Tap the magnifying number while on the back camera) Is a bit fiddly but it works. I’d guess apple thru software shuts off the back camera if it detects some hardware issue. (My phone is a bit beaten so I wouldn’t be surprised but curious if you guys have good condition phone that have this issue or are like me and have potentially water or fall damage like me) it’s more of an work around to apples software than a solution but it somehow bypasses whatever the iPhone is trying to do. Maybe a camera expert knows about if changing magnifying changes some detectors because that would probably be the issue. (I have ios15.6.1) Anyways God bless, have faith in whatever god has for your path and I hope it work

They really said, “Remove any case, accessory, or film that might block the camera.” Yeah let me take photos and every other time I have to restart my phone. Wait! Let me make sure nothing is blocking it each time! Lmao. I know this is only community specialist but come on. Only reason I updated to ios 16 was because the AirPods Pro 2 could not figure out how to make calls on ios 15, now I can’t take photos without having to restart phone every other time. Please fix bug.

I'm now experiencing this with iOS 17.2 (21C62). It mostly happens when I launch the Camera app from the Action Button. The preview is either entirely black or dark and blurred. Sometimes, it starts working after waiting 5–10 seconds. Other times, it won't work even after waiting minutes. In those cases, I just relaunch the Camera app.

Filed as feedback item FB13473854.

This happened to my iphone 12 after ios 16 update. Brought it to an official Apple Service Center and their solution is for me to pay for replacement of the entire phone. Why do I have to buy a new phone to fix their buggy update?!

I just got this after the 17.2.1 update on an XS Max. The user's suggestion of holding down the switch camera button for a few seconds got the front camera working, so thanks for that suggestion!

My torch does not work anymore either.

I tried seeing if other apps were able to use the camera and Adobe Scan had a notification that said "Unable to access the camera." All other apps just show the black camera screen.

This is definitely the most frustrating glitch that Apple has had (after putting up with others that have come and gone over the years). I need my phone camera for work, and given the wide array of Apple devices and iOS's that this has affected, and potentially could affect, I'm going to have to make the switch to Android.

Same here.. iphone 12 front camera issue post os version update. Service center guy asking to replace hardware!

Pathetic from Apple!!

any update?

I am facing same issue, Apple support is asking me to pay for H/W replacement lol..

Don’t know if this will work for anyone else but was having the same problem on iPad 6th gen. Camera worked for FaceTime but not for the camera app. After updating to iOS 17 the problem still persisted. I power cycled and went back to the camera app, still showing black screen, held down the camera rotation icons for a few seconds (to switch from front to back camera) and suddenly started working. I hope someone else gets lucky too!

I’m having this problem since I updated to 15.7. I don’t want to update to 16 just to have it continue to happen!! I’m so frustrated that Apple hasn’t figured this out!!

I don’t want to have to go to the store and pay some fee for a new phone I don’t need. Just because they have a software issue they can’t figure out.

iPhone SE 3rd gen rear camera and flash/flashlight recently stopped working on iOS 16 update. Front facing camera still works though. Hope Apple is coming out with a software fix

However on our iPhone 13, all of the cameras and flashlight works on the latest iOS 16 update. So it’s not affecting all phones equally

This works. Take the camera to 1x zoom and then tap the 1.0x on the screen to take it to 0.5 zoom. Camera instantly starts working. It isn’t fixed. It comes up black again after you close and reopen but do the same thing each time and it’ll work and take photos. Work around for apple’s sorry lack of support on this.

Following recommendations of first restarting and if that doesn’t work factory reset. After multiple restart and resets I gave it another try. Reset followed by restart and front camera was restored. That’s my experience keep trying it might work for you.

Hello Dorden122,

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

We would want to recommend basic troubleshooting of the camera on your iPhone first to rule out issues with the camera. Take a look at this article: If the camera or flash on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn't working - Apple Support

1. Remove any case, accessory, or film that might block the camera or flash or that places a magnet near the camera.
2. Test the camera by trying to take a photo
3. Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. 
4. Test the camera again by taking a photo. If your device has a front and rear camera, check if one or both isn’t working. To switch cameras, tap the rotate button .

If there is no change and you are still seeing a black screen in the camera, contact Apple Support directly for more specific assistance.

Take care!