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Iphone 7 - Camera freeze on the launch

The native camera app of iphone 7 is taking 5-20 seconds to launch.


To reproduce the issue:

1) Open the native camera app.

2) Close the native camera app by pressing a home button (important: do not delete the camera app from the recently used apps in multitasking).

3) Make 5 calls or more, each call 10 sec duration or longer. E.g. call your voicemail to simulate a day calls.

4) After making the calls, open the native camera app from the lockscreen.


The video below demonstrates the issue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnhVNhjxfcI

In this video it is 5 seconds freeze on iphone 7 (seen on 1:42 of the video). The camera freeze is related to the amount and duration of the calls, more calls - the longer it takes for camera to launch. The freeze can go up to 20 seconds.


I experience this issue on iphone 7 (ios 10.0.1) and on iphone 6s (from ios 8 to ios 10).

I have very strong reasons to believe, that all iphones 7 and 6s are affected by this bug and it can not be fixed by rebooting, resetting, DFU, new apple id or phone replacement: I tried to do all these steps many times with my iphone 6s and it did not help. This issue can be addressed only by Apple developers.


Please submit this bug to Apple directly under the following link (as it seems that they do not react to our discussions forums): http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html


This thread is designated for iphone 7 and 7 plus.

The same camera problems with iphone 6s are discussed in the following big thread since October 2015: iphone 6s camera lag


The purpose of this thread is to share and spread out the issue, as well as make Apple notice and react to the concerns of its users by fixing this bug.

iOS 10, iphone 7

Posted on Sep 17, 2016 4:13 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 12:14 PM

I was part of the original iPhone 6s camera lag thread as well. My new iPhone 7 256gb does the same thing mentioned in your question/statement. I also reported the bug with the link you provided. This seems to be only happening to the 6s, 6s plus and 7. I've restored my backup on a regular iPhone 6 and this problem did not repeat after over a month of use.


Thanks for taking the time to write this problem up!

20 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 21, 2016 12:14 PM in response to dimascer

I was part of the original iPhone 6s camera lag thread as well. My new iPhone 7 256gb does the same thing mentioned in your question/statement. I also reported the bug with the link you provided. This seems to be only happening to the 6s, 6s plus and 7. I've restored my backup on a regular iPhone 6 and this problem did not repeat after over a month of use.


Thanks for taking the time to write this problem up!

Oct 9, 2016 5:02 AM in response to dimascer

I have been having this issue too but with all other apps close.


When the screen is locked, swipe to camera will hang and either open the camera app or just give me a black screen. When unlocking the device and opening the camera app, the phone freezes and resets.


I've also had issues where when the camera app is open the image is really dark like there is an ND filter. Even after closing the app and reopening it happens. Flicking to video and then coming back to Photos seems to works but if it doesn't crash.



This is the first time I've had an issue with an iPhone and I've had every iPhone since iPhone 4. Not what you expect for such an expensive device.


I have an iPhone 7 Plus with iOS 10.0.2.

Nov 6, 2016 4:09 AM in response to dimascer

Thanks for writing this up. As a new mom I upgraded to this 7 plus from my 6 so I would have the latest and greatest technology with my camera. Becuase of this issue I have literally missed the photo/video opportunity of catching my sons first steps. Yup that's right apple, had to forfeit one of my most precious memories for this issue. Black frozen screen, over and over and over again. I've missed to many other moments to even discuss. I'm sick to my stomach over this ridiculous issue. It was stupid glitches like this that originally got me to buy an iPhone 4 instead of another Samsung or android phone. I wish I still had my iPhone 6 so I could at least capture our most special moments. PLEASE PLEASE fix this issue apple. I can hardly bare any more disappointment from this device.

Nov 6, 2016 4:34 AM in response to dimascer

Hello. Finally with the iOS update version 10.1 and 10.1.1 the camera freeze has been resolved.


Below is the text from the apple website:

iOS 10.1

Camera and Photos

Fixes an issue where opening the Camera app would show a blurred or flashing screen for some users


Thank you everyone for your contributions on this bug fixing journey 😉

Nov 7, 2016 6:02 AM in response to indieboy

I contacted apple support yesterday. We were able to fix my phone and get it up to snuff. No more frozen/black screen when I launch the camera and the lag between apps and when loading webpages has also improved. The IOS update will not fix this issue for you.

We did an up-to-date backup of my data via iCloud.

I restored my phone back to factory settings while connected to iTunes. We attempted to "break the phone" or replicate the issues I was having by opening up a number of apps that tax your processor (YouTube, weather, etc). We were unable to replicate the issue so I reloaded all my data from the cloud back to my phone. The restore resolved my problems. Had it not, they would have required the phone for service to the hard drive for corruption. It's been over 24 hours and I haven't had my camera freeze once, the phone itself is also running much faster. Thanks to Rick at AppleCare for his help, hope this helps some of you as well.

Nov 7, 2016 10:18 AM in response to MrsJoosey

These two overtly positive posts seem a bit weird. They don't seem genuine and more like planted comments to give a more positive view on the issues with the iPhone 7 Plus.


I'm glad it worked for you but there are issues with the iPhone 7 Plus and it's camera.


Like said in my previous post this is the 2nd handset replaced by Apple. It still locks up, freezes and resets when taking pictures or even when charging.


I know some times things happen and you might get a bad batch but 2 different phones?


This isn't what you expect from a "flagship" phone.

Nov 7, 2016 11:57 AM in response to indieboy

If you look back at my previous post you will find there's nothing "overtly positive" about missing the video opportunity for your child's first steps. The camera issue and overall lack of functionality with my device was both frustrating and heartbreaking for me, personally. However, completing the steps I listed while connected with apple suppport resolved my phones problems. I'm not happy any of this has happened nor am I thrilled I had to spend a Sunday morning talking to someone on the phone and dealing with restoring a brand new device... but it did fix the issue and that's all I was looking for. Now if they could just create a time machine so I could go back to capture all the beautiful moments I have missed.....

Nov 20, 2016 6:40 AM in response to dimascer

I have an iPhone 7 256gb and my wife has an iPhone 7 plus 256gb. Both are running the latest 10.1.1 update. At first the update seemed to fix the camera lag. But after a week or so it has started again. It seems more random than it use to be before the 10.1 update. I use to be able to duplicate it by doing the steps on the first post. Making 5-10 calls and then open the app. Now it seems more random. There are days it won't freeze at all. Its always when I or my wife open the camera to catch a good picture! Then it freezes for 10-20 seconds, or sometimes it will not open at all.


Apple, thanks for addressing this issue in your 10.1 update...BUT it is not FIXED completely. For me it happens less on both my and my wife's phone, BUT it still happens often.

Nov 20, 2016 7:07 AM in response to Robber80

Hello. It is really disappointing that some of you guys are still experiencing this issue.


Maybe you could try the DFU restore ( http://www.macrumors.com/how-to/reset-dfu-mode-iphone-7/ )...


Important is to be able to replicate the issue: steps that cause the lag. Then it would be necessary to report the step by step desciption of the issue directly to apple via the bug report site: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html


Another possibility could be to get a replacement iphone, which still is not a guaranteed solution.


It is very unfortunate that at the moment there is no other way to address this issue.

Nov 21, 2016 7:35 PM in response to dimascer

Purchased iPhone 7 Plus in jet black less than 60 days ago. Everything worked perfectly until past 3 days. That's when camera stopped working. Native camera app won't work when launched. Sometimes camera veiwer stays black. Other times it freezes on image. Randomly and occasionally it starts working after several minutes but mostly not. This behavior began for no good reason. I was already on latest iOS version and had done no recent updates before it began.

This same behavior happens in 3rd party camera apps. It also misbehaves with FaceTime. If it works at all during FaceTime, the exposure constantly changes and varies widely throughout call. Both parties see it as it continuously happens.


This is entirely unacceptable and something I've never experienced with an iPhone and I've literally owned every version since original launched.


Help Apple. Don't lose a long standing customer.

Iphone 7 - Camera freeze on the launch

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