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?
Nope camera passed all hardware tests. The camera works in video mode and selfie mode the rear camera will not focus or take a picture but video work some time after trying to focus and selfies work and save to the photos. So your trying to say thousands of users have had their phones fail in the middle of the night after the update suddenly develop a hardware issue? At my old company our engineers have worked with Apples engineers to incorporate our security system into the apple product. I know for a fact the issues apple has with update from our team of engineers. Apple and it moderators should stop trying to deflect from the fact the ios update caused the issue on phone not all phones but thousands. Apple support admitted so in one of my calls with them and at the apple store after wasting my time on a factory reset only to have the same exact issue. At least you guys should be truthful. We have to wait till they get enough complaints to address the issue.
It's the Tahoe update. I haven't seen this error in 15 years after an OS update. Restarting the phone (13) helps but then it fails again in either 6 hours or a day. As of my writing this, I have all of the iOS 26.x updates installed.
Even after a restart, the camera failure will happen again within a day.
I'm checking the logs now in the console app.
Alex Zavatone wrote:
It's the Tahoe update. I haven't seen this error in 15 years after an OS update. Restarting the phone (13) helps but then it fails again in either 6 hours or a day. As of my writing this, I have all of the iOS 26.x updates installed.
Even after a restart, the camera failure will happen again within a day.
I'm checking the logs now in the console app.
Not sure what Mac OS 26 Tahoe has to do with your iPhone issue. Sorry.
Could be a hardware issue with a failed calibration. Yours doesn’t sound conclusive yet. Dig through the logs if you want and see if you turn up anything. Have you tried deleting the Camera app, restarting your iPhone and downloading a fresh Camera app copy from Apple App Store?
Alex i tried everything asked by apple. Nothing works to solve the issue caused by IOS26 update. It's not hardware related. It is sad that the apple community site can't be honest with the apple customers. To many people with the issue after the update to be hardware. Just let's be honest. I traded in my 14 phone for the pro max 17. I am sure apple is happy they got a customer to upgrade.
Same odd behavior here with camera. Also with Siri. Time to call support. I have an iPhone 16 ProMax. This shd NOT be happening.
Facing same annoying camera blurry issue and until restarting, can't take any picture. But again same problem after sometimes 🥲
I spent 8 hours yesterday with apple tech support and best buy and apple store. They just want you to upgrade or wait till they fix the software
It is a IOS issue.
they are trying to say its hardware, but it is not its software related to the ios 26 update
FYI, I've been an iOS lead for over 16 years.
It's not a hardware issue.
After the last update I have experienced the same camera problems immediately after the update. This seems update related, not hardware from my viewpoint.
Seriously regretting the iOS 26.1 update 🙂. Having multiple problems: camera shows a blank screen, contact posters disappear, battery is draining super fast, and the phone is heating up! The camera issues affect other apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp too. Anyone else facing this mess? #iOS261 #Apple #iPhoneProblems #TechSupport"
xxthankunext wrote:
cuz they talking about 150$ for a camera sensor nobody paying that you might as well get a new phone off backmarket
Nah, I would not recommend third party repairs or used phones from Backmarket.
janeabaker wrote:
I spoke too soon, it’s back to doing the same thing 😔
I didn't think changing a lock screen setting would affect the camera itself.
Intermittent problems often point to flakey hardware. Flakey hardware reacts to change, is all.
Was really hoping that would help me but nope it doesnt. i can open the app seems fine for a second but if i try and zoom or switch between modes the camera become blurry and pauses. I've reset my settings and tried turning off the lock screen swipe and nothing works.
iPhone camera not working after iOS 26 update
