How to Fix: iPhone 15/14/13/12 Camera not Focusing

The camera on your iPhone is a powerful tool that captures cherished memories, stunning landscapes, and everyday moments. However, encountering an issue where your iPhone camera refuses to focus can be frustrating and disappointing, especially when you're trying to capture the perfect shot.

In this article, we'll explore the reasons behind your iPhone camera not focusing and provide you with a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting and fixing this issue.

Part 1. Why won’t my iPhone camera focus?

Several factors can contribute to your iPhone camera not focusing properly:
⛔ Dirty Lens: Dust, fingerprints, or smudges on the camera lens can disrupt the focus.
⛔ Software Glitches: Temporary software glitches or bugs might affect the camera's autofocus mechanism.
⛔ Hardware Issue: A malfunctioning autofocus mechanism or physical damage to the camera module can lead to focus problems.
⛔ Lighting Conditions: Low-light situations or extreme contrasts in lighting can impact the camera's ability to focus.
⛔ App Issues: Third-party camera apps might have compatibility issues that affect the camera's focusing capabilities.

Part 2. 7 fixes to iPhone camera not focusing

Here are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the issue of your iPhone camera not focusing. Try the following solutions one after another until your issue gets fixed.

1# Quick tips to fix iPhone camera not focusing

The issue - iPhone camera not focusing may be not a serious issue. The followings are some quick tips you can try to test whether your iPhone camera can focus on.

💡 Clean the lens
Employ a microfiber cloth or opt for a lens-cleaning solution to delicately clean the camera lens. This practice effectively eliminates dust, fingerprints, or smudges, which in turn can notably enhance the camera's ability to focus accurately.

💡 Tap your iPhone
Utilize a napkin scrap or even your palm to gently tap the upper section of the iPhone, specifically the ends of its rear camera lens, a few times. In the majority of instances, this technique proves quite effective.

💡 Get off the iPhone case
An alternative approach involves eliminating the bumper or metallic case from your iPhone, as such accessories can contribute to the camera's inability to focus properly while capturing photos.

2# Tap to focus

An additional remedy involves pressing and holding down the camera button, allowing the camera to achieve focus. Once the image sharpens and becomes clear, release the button.

Manually selecting the focus point can help improve focusing accuracy: Open the Camera app. Tap and hold on the screen where you want to focus. A yellow box will appear to indicate the selected focus point.

3# Lock the Auto Focus

The camera app boasts an array of remarkable features, including Auto Focus and Auto Exposure lock (AE/AF Lock). This attribute can prove invaluable when your iPhone camera struggles to focus.

By tapping and holding on the desired subject for a few seconds, you'll notice a small yellow "AE/AF Lock" box appear. This feature effectively maintains focus on the chosen object, even if the iPhone is in motion.

4# Quit the Camera app

An additional technique to address the issue of the iPhone camera not functioning is to close the Camera app and then relaunch it. Press the home button twice to reveal the background applications, and then swipe up on the Camera app to terminate it.

5# Reset all settings

Chances are that there are some configuration-related issues on your iPhone. And reset all settings can reset your camera settings to default, which might help resolve iPhone camera not focusing issue.

Step 1. Go to iPhone Settings > General > Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 2. Click Reset > Choose Reset All Settings. Enter your passcode and click Reset All Settings again to confirm your operation.

6# Test in different lighting/camera apps

Experiment with different lighting conditions to see if the camera's focus improves. Sometimes, changing the environment can help the camera adjust more effectively.

An additional technique to address the issue of the iPhone camera not functioning is to close the Camera app and then relaunch it. Press the home button twice to reveal the background applications, and then swipe up on the Camera app to terminate it.

7# Update to the latest iOS version

Updating your iPhone's software can often fix software-related issues affecting the camera's focusing mechanism.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > General > Software Update. If there is a new iOS version, download and install it.

Summary

It can be disappointing to experience an issue where your iPhone camera not focusing, but with the fixes provided in this article, you have the tools to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Whether the issue is related to software glitches, dirty lenses, or other factors, the step-by-step instructions outlined here will guide you through the troubleshooting process.