Why Is My iPhone Camera Blinking? (Causes & Solutions)
If your iPhone camera is blinking, all is not lost - there's usually a simple solution that you can perform without having to take it to the Apple Genius Bar.
iPhone Photography | Learn | By Jeff Collier
This guide on “Why is my iPhone camera blinking?” should help you understand and fix this annoying issue.
I recently noticed that my iPhone camera was blinking when I took photos.
I was a little concerned, so I did some research to figure out why this was happening.
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I learned that there are a few possible causes of iPhone camera blinking, but fixing them is pretty straightforward.
This article will tell you everything you need to know, no matter what model iPhone you own.
Table of Contents
Causes of iPhone Camera Blinking
These are some of the causes why the iPhone camera is blinking and how to troubleshoot it.
Macro Mode
Macro Mode is a feature on iPhone cameras that allows you to take close-up photos of objects.
It does this by switching to the ultra-wide lens and using a special algorithm to focus on objects that are very close to the camera.
When you’re in Macro Mode, you’ll see a yellow border around the object that you’re trying to focus on.
This border indicates that the camera is in focus. If the border is not yellow, you can tap on the object to focus on it.
Macro Mode requires plenty of light to work well. If you’re taking photos in low-light conditions, you may need to use a flash to help the camera focus.
- How Macro Mode might cause blinking in your iPhone camera
When the camera is switching between the wide and ultra-wide lenses. Macro Mode uses the ultra-wide lens to take close-up photos.
However, if the object you’re trying to photograph is too close to the camera, the iPhone camera may need to switch to the wide lens in order to focus.
This can cause a momentary flicker in the camera.
When the lighting conditions are poor. Macro Mode would barely function if the light is insufficient.
If you’re trying to take a macro photo in low-light conditions, the iPhone camera may have to adjust the exposure, which can cause a momentary flicker.
If there is dirt or debris on the camera lens. Dirt or debris on the camera lens can prevent the camera from focusing properly, which can cause a momentary flicker.
Low-Light Conditions
In low-light conditions, the iPhone camera may blink as it tries to adjust the exposure. This is because the camera is having trouble getting enough light to take a clear photo.
If I’m in low-light conditions and I notice the camera blinking, I can try increasing the brightness of the scene or using a flash.
Damaged Camera Lens
If the camera lens is damaged, it can cause the camera to blink. This is because the lens is not able to focus properly, which can cause the camera to struggle to take a clear photo.
If I think my camera lens may be damaged, I can take my iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for inspection.
Software Glitch
Sometimes, a software glitch can cause the iPhone camera to blink. This can happen if I’ve recently updated my iPhone’s software or if there is a bug in the software.
If I notice the camera blinking after updating my iPhone’s software, I can try restarting my phone to see if that fixes the issue.
Hardware Issue
If I’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting tips and my iPhone camera is still blinking, it’s possible that there’s a hardware issue with the camera.
In this case, I’ll need to take my iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for further diagnosis.
How to Fix iPhone Camera Blinking
If your iPhone camera is blinking, there are a few things you can do to try to fix it. Here are the full details.
Disable Macro Mode
Macro Mode is a feature that allows you to take close-up photos of objects. However, it can sometimes cause the camera to blink if the lenses are not able to focus properly. If you think Macro Mode is causing the blinking, you can disable it by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Camera.
- Toggle off Macro Control.
Change the Exposure
If you think exposure issues are causing the blinking, you can try changing the exposure by following these steps:
- Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the AE/AF Lock button in the upper-left corner of the screen. This button will turn yellow when it’s activated. (Learn more about how to use the AF/AE lock button on your iPhone.)
- Drag the Exposure slider up or down to adjust the brightness of your photo.
- To lock the exposure, tap on the AE/AF Lock button again. The button will turn white when it’s locked.
- The Exposure slider controls the brightness of your photo. By dragging the slider up, you’ll make your photo brighter. By dragging the slider down, you’ll make your photo darker.
- The AE/AF Lock button locks the exposure and focus of your photo. This is useful if you want to keep the exposure consistent as you move the camera around.
- The exposure is automatically adjusted based on the lighting conditions. However, you can override the automatic exposure by adjusting the Exposure slider.
- You can also adjust the exposure in the Camera app’s settings. To do this, open the Camera app and tap on the Settings icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. Then, scroll down and tap on Exposure.
You can then adjust the Exposure Compensation slider to make your photos brighter or darker.
Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, a simple restart can fix a software glitch that’s causing the camera to blink.
To restart your iPhone, hold down the power button and the volume down button at the same time until you see the Apple logo.
Update Your iPhone’s Software
Apple often releases software updates that fix bugs that can cause camera problems. To update your iPhone’s software, go to the Settings menu, select “General”, then “Software Update”.
Clean the Camera Lens
If there is any dirt or debris on the lens, it can cause the camera to blink. To clean the lens, it’s important to use materials that wouldn’t scratch or spoil the lens. Lint-free cloth works best.
Check for Third-Party Camera App Updates
If you’re using a third-party camera app, make sure that the app is up-to-date and compatible with your iPhone’s software.
Restore Your iPhone
If you have tried all of the above and your iPhone camera is still blinking, you may need to restore your iPhone to factory settings.
This will erase all of your data, so be sure to back up your iPhone before you do this.
Contact an Authorized Repair Center
If you’ve tried all of the above steps and your iPhone camera is still blinking, it’s possible that there is a hardware issue with the camera.
In this case, you’ll need to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for further diagnosis.
Additional things to keep in mind:
- The iPhone camera may blink in low-light conditions as it tries to adjust the exposure.
- If you’ve recently dropped your iPhone, it’s possible that the camera lens has been damaged.
- If you’re using a case with a built-in camera lens cover, make sure that the cover is open when you’re using the camera.
- Related: how to take amazing long exposure photos with your iPhone
Restarting Your iPhone: When and How to Fix Camera Blinking
Restarting your iPhone when the iPhone camera is blinking could be the simplest remedy:
When to Restart Your iPhone
- If your iPhone camera is blinking, restarting your iPhone is a good first step to try to fix the problem.
- Restarting your iPhone can often fix software glitches that can cause camera problems.
- If you’ve recently updated your iPhone’s software and your camera started blinking, restarting your iPhone can sometimes fix the problem.
How to Restart Your iPhone
- Place your fingers on the volume and power buttons simultaneously.
- Continue pressing the two buttons until the Apple logo appears. At this point, you can release.
- Your iPhone will restart and the camera should be working properly again.
- If restarting your iPhone doesn’t fix the problem, you can try other troubleshooting steps, such as disabling Macro Mode or updating your iPhone’s software.
If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps and your iPhone camera is still blinking, it’s possible that there is a hardware issue with the camera.
In this case, you’ll need to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for further diagnosis.
The Symptoms of a Hardware Issue With the iPhone Camera
The symptoms of a hardware issue with the iPhone camera can vary, but some of the most common include:
- The camera is not working at all. This is the most obvious symptom of a hardware issue. If your camera is not working at all, it’s likely that there is a problem with the camera hardware.
- The camera is blurry or distorted. If your photos are blurry or distorted, it’s possible that there is a problem with the camera lens. The lens could be scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
- The camera is not focusing properly. If the camera is having trouble focusing, it’s possible that there is a problem with the autofocus mechanism. The autofocus mechanism could be dirty, damaged, or malfunctioning.
- The camera is taking photos with incorrect colors. If your photos are coming out with incorrect colors, it’s possible that there is a problem with the camera sensor. The camera sensor could be dirty, damaged, or malfunctioning.
- The camera lens is cracked or scratched. If you can see cracks or scratches on the camera lens, it’s likely that the lens is damaged. A damaged lens will not be able to focus properly and will likely produce blurry or distorted images.
- The camera is loose or wiggly. If the camera feels loose or wiggly, it’s possible that the camera is not properly attached to the iPhone. This could cause the camera to malfunction or even fall out of the iPhone.
- The camera makes strange noises when in use. If you hear strange noises coming from the camera when you’re taking photos, it’s possible that the camera is malfunctioning. Strange noises could be a sign of a problem with the autofocus mechanism, the camera sensor, or other internal components.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s best to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for further diagnosis.
A qualified technician will be able to determine if you have a hardware issue and, if so, what the best course of action is.
How to Stop an iPhone Camera From Flickering?
Preventive maintenance tips to stop your iPhone camera from flickering:
- Keep your iPhone’s software up to date. Apple often releases software updates that fix bugs that can cause camera problems.
You can check for updates by going to the Settings menu, then choosing General, followed by “Software Update”.
- Avoid using Macro Mode in low-light conditions. Macro Mode can sometimes cause the camera to flicker in low-light conditions.
This is because the camera has to switch between the wide and ultra-wide lenses, which can cause a momentary flicker.
If you need to use Macro Mode in low-light conditions, try using a flash to help the camera focus.
- Clean your iPhone’s camera lens regularly. Dirt or debris on the lens can cause the camera to flicker. You can clean the lens with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Be careful not to drop your iPhone. Dropping your iPhone can damage the camera lens, which could cause it to flicker. If you do drop your iPhone, be sure to check the camera lens for damage.
- Use a case that doesn’t cover the camera lens. If you’re using a case with a built-in camera lens cover, make sure that the cover is open when you’re using the camera. Otherwise, the cover could block the lens and cause the camera to flicker.
In addition to these tips, you can also try the following troubleshooting steps if your iPhone camera is already flickering:
- Disable Macro Mode. If you’re currently using Macro Mode, try disabling it to see if that fixes the problem.
- Restart your iPhone. Sometimes, a simple restart can fix a software glitch that’s causing the camera to flicker.
- Update your iPhone’s software. Apple often releases software updates that fix bugs that can cause camera problems.
- Clean the camera lens. If there is any dirt or debris on the lens, it can cause the camera to flicker.
Conclusion
Your iPhone camera might be blinking could be due to a software glitch, a hardware issue, or even something as simple as dirt or debris on the lens.
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article and your camera is still blinking, it’s best to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for further diagnosis.
To help you prevent your iPhone camera from blinking; keep your iPhone’s software up to date, avoid using Macro Mode in low-light conditions, clean your iPhone’s camera lens regularly, and be careful not to drop your iPhone.
Dropping your iPhone can damage the camera lens, which could cause it to flicker. If you do drop your iPhone, be sure to check the camera lens for damage. It’s also best to use a case that doesn’t cover the camera lens.
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