Camera

If your iPhone camera is not working after iOS 18 update, there are a few easy fixes you can try.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• To fix iPhone camera not working after iOS 18 issue, you should close and reopen the Camera app, as well as restart your phone and make sure it’s updated to the latest iOS 18 version.
• If this doesn’t work, you could try resetting your iPhone to its factory settings — back it up first so you don’t lose all your data — or contact Apple for further support.

Newer iPhones like iPhone 16 Pro feature amazing cameras capable of taking professional grade portraits and recording truly cinematic video. For example, on iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, you can capture 48-megapixel images, high definition video, slow motion clips, and amazing panoramic images.

But the high-quality hardware built into these phones is worthless if the software that utilizes them isn’t working.

If your iPhone camera is not taking photos after iOS 18 update, it’s almost always a software issue, not a problem with the lenses or sensors.

Here’s what you can do to fix it.

How to fix iPhone Camera not working on iOS 18 issue

1. Close and reopen the Camera app

If your iPhone camera is not working after iOS update, start by closing the app completely and reopening it again. This is extremely easy to do.

1. If your iPhone has a Home button, double-tap it to bring up the App Switcher. If it doesn’t, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, hold your finger when it reaches the middle, and release it when the App Switcher shows up.
2. Swipe up on the camera app window. This will close down the camera.
3. Wait a few seconds.
4. To open the camera app again, tap the camera icon on your home screen. This will usually get it to work properly.

2. Switch between the front and rear camera

If your iPhone camera is not working, it’s possible that the app has not loaded properly. One of the ways to unblock any bottlenecks is to flip between the front camera and back camera and back again. This will hopefully help to get things moving.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap the two circular arrows next to the shutter button to flip between cameras.

3. Restart your iPhone

A simple reboot can work wonders. I find that this fixes most camera-related issues and bugs about 90% of the time. It’s also a simple solution, so you should also give it a chance.

• If you’re iPhone has a Face ID, restart the device by simultaneously holding down the volume down button and the power button. When the slide to power off option appears on-screen, swipe right. Wait 15 to 20 seconds before powering your iPhone back on.
• If you’re iPhone has a Home button, restart the device by holding down the power button. When the slide to power off option appears on-screen, swipe right. Wait 15 to 20 seconds before powering your iPhone back on.

4. Update your iPhone

If your iPhone camera falls victim to a random bug or any other software issue, it’s a good idea to check for any available iOS updates. iOS updates usually come with performance improvements and bug fixes. One of these may fix any issues your camera is running into.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go into General.
3. Hit Software Update and install any updates.

5. Remove any lens obstruction

Lens obstruction is one of the more common reasons why your iPhone camera isn’t taking pictures. First, make sure your hand or fingers aren’t blocking the lens. It’s easy to do, especially when you’re excited to capture that perfect shot. Second, check if your phone case is wholly or partially blocking the lens. Some cases can be installed upside down on the iPhone.

6. Clean the camera lens

If the photos you take with your iPhone camera are blurry or out of focus, take a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the lens. If you see dirt or debris behind the glass, take your iPhone to an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider for a repair.

7. Avoid overheating

When an iPhone gets too hot, it can malfunction. Be careful when using the flash for long videos or in hot environments. If your iPhone gets too hot, it might disable the flash entirely until it has cooled down again. If your phone is overheating, you should see an on-screen message stating the iPhone needs to cool down before you use it. If you see this message, turn off your iPhone for a few minutes to give it a chance to cool. If you haven’t seen this message, but your iPhone feels hot to the touch, power it off.

Even as few as 10 minutes can make a difference in the temperature of your phone. However, if it begins to overheat again for no apparent reason, go to your local Apple Store or the Apple Support website for repair or replacement details.

8. Reset All Settings

Sometimes you or another app may change settings on your iPhone that cause your camera or Camera app to stop working or malfunction. One way to eliminate this possibility is to reset all the settings on your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into General.
3. Hit Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Tap Reset All Settings and confirm.

9. Factory reset your iPhone

A factory reset will wipe your phone clean and bring it back to factory settings. Just make sure to backup any important files before you do this, as everything in your phone will be gone after a factory reset.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into General.
3. Hit Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Select Erase all Content & Settings.
5. Tap Continue.
6. Tap Erase iPhone.

10. Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone camera is still not working, you may be having a hardware issue that can only be fixed by Apple. Contact Apple support for assistance. . If you still have a valid warranty on your phone, you may even be able to get the phone replaced if the camera problem is not fixable.

FAQs

Can I use other camera apps on my iPhone?

You can download many camera apps from the App Store. This is a good temporary solution if you’re having issues with your camera app, specifically.