My camera doesn’t seem to work anymore after updating to IOS 26.1. It turns dark immediately I open the camera App. It’s impossible to take pictures with both front and back camera.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: camera glitch after updating IOS 26.1
iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 26
If the camera does not work even after a restart, it may indicate a hardware issue.
In my case, however, restarting the device or changing the system language temporarily restored the camera, but the issue reappeared after a few hours or a few days. When launching the Camera app, the preview appears briefly, becomes blurred (similar to the transition during lens switching), and then freezes after a few seconds.
Even after erasing the device and restoring from a backup, the problem reoccurred a few days later. Over time, the frequency of the issue gradually increased, which made it seem like something abnormal was progressing.
After that, I reset all settings and used the device with default settings only, and the problem has not recurred for over a week.
I have not yet identified which specific setting was responsible, but the non-default camera-related settings I previously used were:
• Video resolution set to 4K
• ProRAW controls enabled
• All “Preserve Settings” options enabled
• Liquid Glass disabled via Accessibility settings
Do any of you experiencing similar issues have these settings in common?
I solved my problem by disabling the Macro
with the macro setting it seems to default to zoom and you can’t get out of it
I turned it off and it’s a week and no more problems
Darmok-N-Jalad wrote:
It is from Apple's own Certified Refurbished store. I've never had a problem going that route before, but this is definitely troublesome. The native camera app is seemingly refusing to take photos.
Then take advantage of your one year warranty and schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar --> https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
It has now been one month since I reset all settings, and the issue has not recurred.
I have been gradually restoring my previous settings, but so far I have not been able to reproduce the problem, and the root cause remains unclear.
At this point, it seems possible that the issue was not caused by a camera-specific setting, but by some other system setting.
Camera-related settings that have been restored without triggering the issue:
• "Record Video" set back to 4K
• "ProRAW & Resolution Control" enabled
• "Lock Screen swipe to open Camera" is now enabled (previously disabled when the issue occurred)
“Preserve Settings” was previously enabled, but it is now left at its default state (mostly OFF).
The following non-camera settings are still different from my previous configuration:
• "Always On Display" — previously OFF, now ON
• "Bold Text" — previously ON, now OFF
It is possible that I may still be overlooking a setting that contributed to the issue.
I will continue monitoring and update if the problem reappears.
Tried all the suggestions from the web and nothing worked. Downloaded the “Pro Camera” app and it works smoothly.
Mamasarah14 wrote:
Your phone doesn’t need a repair.. mine is doing the SAME exact thing since updating it to 26.1! It’s so annoying! My camera will open and if it loads from a black screen at all-it freezes after 2 seconds of it being opened. Hopefully they fix this fast!
LD250 never suggested their phone needs a repair. Unless you have the ability to test a phone, like Apple can test a phone, you don't know if a phone needs a repair or not. If you're having an issue, waiting for a fix to magically fly through the air, doesn't seem a prudent decision. Most people aren't having issues like you're seeing. Schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius bar to have your phone tested.
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
It’s not working because somehow the macro zoom keeps turning up automatically
If you go into settings, scroll down to camera and look for “ Macro control” and toggle it off it works
It’s just that still the most ridiculous upgrade and everything else about Camera is so much more slowed and awkward
Have you updated to iOS 26.2? It was released last week.
No nothing helps till apple fixes the software. I have another camera app that make the camera work so it not a hardware issue.
iphonewontring wrote:
they are trying to say its hardware, but it is not its software related to the ios 26 update
Nope. If iOS 26 caused the camera to stop working, it would have done it to the millions upon millions upon millions of iPhones which were updated to iOS 26. The tech press would be having a field day. This forum would be blown up with thousands and thousands of people complaining. Neither is the case. If by they you mean Apple, they they are likely correct and you have a hardware issue on your iPhone.
I've got the same problem on my iPhone 13 and it happened right after (1 day) I installed the iOS 26 update.
Launch the camera from any app, see the image that is in front of the camera on the screen, wait 2 seconds, screen either goes black or changes to a shade of the predominant color in the image and you are unable to take a photo.
Swipe up or kill the camera app/process, relaunch, same thing.
Happens within the Camera app, Messages, FaceTime, WhatsApp.
Once it happens, you can restart your phone for a temp fix that lasts 2 hours to 1 day.
I'm going through the phone logs now to see if I can detect the software failure.
OS installed: iOS 26.3
Model: iPhone 13
This has only started after installing iOS 26.
You need to have Apple perform diagnostics on your iPhone. It can be done in person at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also contact Apple Support and request remote diagnostics.
If you’re in the US, please call 1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
Alex, I disabled the macro function - go into settings, scroll down to camera, and then look for “macro control” - turn it off
But I agree this update is ridiculous- having the option of all the settings could be helpful but…
Just trying to take a quick picture of my grandson and I used to just click on portrait mode and now it’s delayed scrolling and having to go through so many options
Blackmagic camera app made the camera work.
Sounds like the phone needs repair.
The process of erasing and setting up again can very often fix a glitch.
Resources…
Backing Up: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Restoring: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support
If that fails, prepare it for repair and https://support.apple.com
Same issue here. When the phone is restarted, camera works for a while, but then crashes. Face ID works fine, even when the camera isn't. When the problem starts, the Camera app opens for a few seconds, but then it blurs and doesn't take any photos or videos. Other apps also display a black screen for the camera. This problem definitely started with iOS 26 or 26.1 and is definitely related to that iOS version. I'm using an iPhone 14 Pro.
iPhone camera not working after iOS 26 update
