iPhone 16 pro macro freezes and doesn't work on 4k at 24 fps and 4k at 30 fps

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45 points

iPhone 16 pro macro freezes and doesn't work on 4k at 24 fps and 4k at 30 fps

Hey everyone!

I just got my paws on the iPhone 16 Pro, and I'm noticing something strange with the macro feature when recording videos. While macro works perfectly in photo mode, in video mode it only functions when set to 4K 60, ProRes HDR, HD 30, and HD 60. However, when I switch to 4K 24 or 4K 30, the macro feature freezes and then switches back to the main lens. I film with 4k 24 so I need to figure out how to fix this. ProRes HDR is too high of files so I can't keep it on PorRes HDR 4k 24.

Has anyone else experienced this or have any insight on what might be causing it? I reached out to Apple, and they were stumped and suggested I could return it for a replacement, but it wouldn't be available until mid-October. So I'm wondering if this might just be a bug or a hardware issue with the macro lens. For reference, I'm running iOS 18 on both my iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro, but the 15 Pro handles macro just fine. I've already tried restarting the phone using the volume and side button combo, but no luck so far. So far, we have found 3 other people on Reddit with the same issue and one of them did a full restart on their iPhone 16 pro max and that did not fix the issue.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance! :)

Here's a screen recording video to show what's happening with the macro: https://imgur.com/a/zftC2RK

[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on Sep 22, 2024 7:00 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

-jahnnalee Author

Level 1

45 points

Oct 3, 2024 6:59 PM in response to -jahnnalee

Apple just released 18.0.1 software update:

This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone including:

• Touch screen may be temporarily unresponsive in certain circumstances on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models

• Camera may freeze when recording macro mode video on the Ultra Wide camera in 4K with HDR turned off on iPhone 16 Pro models

• Messages may unexpectedly quit when replying to a message with a shared Apple Watch face

• Performance may be impacted due to an issue with memory allocation on some iPhone models

Did this update work for any of you with the macro 4k 24fps and 30 fps with HDR turned off? I hope it did!

Unfortunately, I am running 18.1 Beta 2 so I can't update to 18.0.1 to try it out.

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Answer 2

mtishawt

Level 1

32 points

Sep 25, 2024 9:07 AM in response to mtishawt

So, I went to the Apple Store and that was a bust. However, I just got off a call with support (so much better). There are lots of people with this issue and they are working on an update to fix 4k @ 24 fps as well as 30 fps. No idea when that will roll out but Apple does know about it. I encourage you to call, not email or chat, this problem in because that's how they are able to see and prioritize issues like this. Hang onto case numbers as well. For the meantime, I have set my camera at 1080p HD @ 120 fps. I'm not thrilled about this because we all should be able to use any of the capabilities on our phones at any given time, but I'm willing to wait vs. setting my phone up like new, again. (In my original post I stated that the camera issue was non existent when I had the phone set up as new. Since then, I've restored an iCloud back up so my phone felt familiar.) I hope this helps somehow?

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Answer 3

Oct 3, 2024 8:08 PM in response to -jahnnalee

Hello! Just to let you know that IOS 18.0.1 came out a little while ago and with this update the problem is fixed!!!✨💖my iPhone 16 pro Max now works correctly on this issue and I am very happy! I recommend updating ✨

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Answer 4

-jahnnalee Author

Level 1

45 points

Sep 23, 2024 7:36 AM in response to ianngss

I just tried your recoomendation of Under Settings > Camera > Record Video > HDR Video (Enable). When I toggled on Enable a pop up appeared saying HDR video requires macOS Catalina (10.15) or later. It also says: Video, Slo-mo, and Cinematic mode will record video in 10-bit high dynamic range including Dolby Vision up to 120 fps.

By enabling this I am now able to shoot macro in 4k 24 and in 4k 30 without it freezing! My only concern is by having the HDR Video enabled is that going to make our video files larger? On my iPhone 15 Pro, that I still have, that shoots perfectly fine with video macro in 4k 24 and 4k 30 and it does not have the HDR Video Enabled so I am confused as to why the iphone 16 pro needs it enabled to work and not the iPhone 15 pro. What are your thoughts?

What iPhone 16 do you have and have you tried enabling the HDR Video yet with your phone?

Thank you so much for being part of this, so glad we all can try to figure this out together!

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Answer 5

-jahnnalee Author

Level 1

45 points

Sep 23, 2024 8:03 AM in response to -jahnnalee

I just tried your recommendation of Under Settings > Camera > Record Video > HDR Video (Enable). When I toggled on Enable a pop up appeared saying HDR video requires macOS Catalina (10.15) or later. It also says: Video, Slo-mo, and Cinematic mode will record video in 10-bit high dynamic range including Dolby Vision up to 120 fps.

By enabling this I am now able to shoot macro in 4k 24 and in 4k 30 without it freezing! My only concern is by having the HDR Video enabled is that going to make our video files larger? On my iPhone 15 Pro, which I still have, that shoots perfectly fine with video macro in 4k 24 and 4k 30 and it does not have the HDR Video Enabled so I am confused as to why the iPhone 16 pro needs it enabled to work and not the iPhone 15 pro. What are your thoughts?

What iPhone 16 do you have and have you tried enabling the HDR Video yet with your phone?

Thank you so much for being part of this, so glad we all can try to figure this out together!

EDIT: I played around with the HDR Video being enabled and not enabled. So when it's not enabled it shows: A minute of video of storage for what you are shooting in (pictures below). And when I have the HDR Video enabled the storage size is less which I find strange since it says (High Efficiency) which to me I would think it should be higher quality which should result in more storage space. The HDR Video also changes the video codecs to APAC, MPEG-4 AAC, Timed Metadata, HEVC. The codecs without HDR Video is: Timed Metadata, APAC, MPEG-4 AAC, H.264. The problem with HDR Video codec is the HEVC file because a lot of social media sites will not allow to upload HEVC video files. So yes, clicking enable on the HDR Video will allow for macro not freezing in 4k 24 and 4k 30 but you won't be able to upload the HEVC files to many social media sites. So I am still stumped on what to think or do. Thoughts?

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Answer 6

Oct 1, 2024 11:21 AM in response to -jahnnalee

Here's the issue/solve:

The Camera Capture format setting needs to be set to High Efficiency instead of Most Compatible. This should fix the glitch (at least it did for me).

The statement under this setting says, "Cinematic video, 4K at 60 fps or higher, and HDR video require High Efficiency". Oddly this also seems to apply to 4K at 30 fps.

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Answer 7

mtishawt

Level 1

32 points

Sep 23, 2024 6:19 PM in response to -jahnnalee

iPhone 16 Pro- Desert Titanium. I’m having the same issue. I spent time via chat with an Apple agent, did all the things that have been mentioned here. One thing I did notice was when I wiped my phone and didn’t use a back up, the camera was fine. When I restored from a backup, the issue persisted. I was able to get a genius bar appointment today, but the bartender there said she hasn’t heard of anyone having this issue and was no help. I’m super annoyed.

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Answer 8

Oct 3, 2024 5:05 AM in response to -jahnnalee

Hey guys - as promised, here’s another update: had my second follow-up with Apple Tech today. Engineering has confirmed that this is indeed a software issue and it will be addressed in an upcoming update (but no indication when or which one). They have a large number of instances reporting the same issue.

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Answer 9

Sep 25, 2024 1:09 PM in response to -jahnnalee

I just got my 16 pro 1TB, noticed this issue right of the bat. The Macro Lens freezes the camera recording while on 4k. I went to apple, they ran diagnostics turned up fine. They told me to reset or offered replacement. To reset as I had already put the screen protector on. After the reset it worked, and went on my merry way. Today I was shooting some content and decided to fix up my camera settings and disabled HDR and that’s when I noticed it was back to freezing again.

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Answer 10

Oct 3, 2024 8:50 AM in response to -jahnnalee

Hi guys!, I called Apple just because I was worried about this, but they already tested everything on my device (iPhone 16 Pro Max) and after a few days they contacted me to confirm that it is NOT a hardware problem, that in reality it’s a Software problem that will be fixed in the coming weeks with an update that they will release for all iPhone 16 pro and 16 pro max because they all have the same problem in this specific configuration.

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Answer 11

N8sanity

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2024 7:52 PM in response to -jahnnalee

I’m having the same issue. I was able to figure out that change by the camera format from most compatible to high efficiency fixed this. Weird bug

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Answer 12

Adamya1

Level 1

14 points

Sep 27, 2024 7:21 AM in response to -jahnnalee

I’ve just spoken to Apple care they have told me it’s a wide issue they are working on it and it’ll be fixed in the next update … for reference case number 10241348001

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Answer 13

mtishawt

Level 1

32 points

Oct 1, 2024 8:03 AM in response to -jahnnalee

Hello, I exchanged my iPhone 16 Pro (Desert) for another one. I had a bad experience during my genius bar appointment and the manager of the store called me to invite me back to have my phone exchanged. He really went out of his was even though I said its likely a software issue. He still encouraged me to do it to rule out possibilities of it being a hardware issue. Alas, the camera still did the "freezing dance."

Last night, I installed the update that I was notified about via push message on my phone. The same issue still persists at 4k. I'm going to call it in just so it's logged. I hope this is fixed soon.

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Answer 14

Oct 4, 2024 3:30 AM in response to phonzy

Today iOS 18.0.1 released, fixing all the problems regarding the camera freezing, touch issues on 16 Pro.

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Answer 15

-jahnnalee Author

Level 1

45 points

Sep 24, 2024 8:36 AM in response to anytapopy

Thank you for sharing this info! I’m in the same boat—I also avoid working with HDR due to being a content creator. It’s strange that enabling HDR Video makes the macro lens function properly in 4K 24 and 4K 30, but unfortunately, like you, I can’t work in HDR since most social media platforms aren’t compatible with HEVC codecs.

It’s good to hear they’re looking into it and should give you some feedback in the next few days. Here in the U.S., I was told they hadn’t heard of anyone else with this issue and suggested I return the device. Two people on a Reddit forum returned their iPhone 16 Pro Max and received new ones, but the macro issue still persisted on the replacements.

Looking forward to hearing what you learn. Fingers crossed this really is a software issue and gets fixed soon! I also noticed another video issue—not related to macro—where the camera freezes if you’re filming in direct sunlight while switching between lenses (1x, 5x, .5, or 2x), similar to the macro freezing issue.

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iPhone 16 pro macro freezes and doesn't work on 4k at 24 fps and 4k at 30 fps

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