Camera issues in mobile devices can be attributed to software issues or hardware damage. There are also some cases where the problem is tied to the use of third-party or non-OEM accessories like casing and screen protectors. Before rushing to a service center, it is recommended to try performing all applicable workarounds to rule out software-related factors that might have caused the same symptom. Tackled in this post is a similar issue on the iPhone camera that’s blurry. Read on to learn what options to try on when troubleshooting the problem on your end.
Before we proceed, if you’re looking for a solution to a problem with your phone, try to browse through our troubleshooting pages to see if we support your device. If your phone is in the list of our supported devices, then go to the troubleshooting page and look for similar problems. Feel free to use our solutions and workarounds. Don’t worry it’s free. But if you still need our help, then fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.
Troubleshooting iPhone camera that is blurry
Before you begin to troubleshooting, remove any non-Apple casing or screen protectors from your iPhone. Some of these accessories don’t actually fit with your device and so there’s a chance that they could block the camera lens. As an output, the photos or videos taken by the camera appear blurry or not as vibrant as they should. Although you have to consider that the quality of photos and videos vary depending on the camera specs of the phone. Also ensure that the camera lenses are free from dust and dirt. Otherwise, clean the lens using some fiber cloth.
Ruling out software-related factors that caused iPhone camera problems
If removing third-party accessories or cleaning the camera lens don’t give positive outcomes, then you can proceed with these subsequent procedures to eliminate software-related factors that might have caused your iPhone camera photos/videos to be blurry.
The following procedures only work if the problem is attributed to software errors. To save time and effort from carrying out unnecessary troubleshooting, try to recall if there were some previous instances when you dropped your iPhone or got it wet by accident. If there was, then what your iPhone needs is service.
First solution: Quit then restart the Camera app.
What you’re seeing could be just a random glitch with the camera app. If everything was working as intended or the quality of the pictures and videos taken by the your iPhone camera was just as expected until now, then it may be just among other minor app flaws that can be corrected by closing and re-opening the affected application. Thus, you can consider this among the first possible solutions to try on.
If you’re using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus or later model, force closing an app is done with these steps:
- Double-press the Home button to view your most recently opened or used apps.
- Swipe left or right to navigate through the apps previews.
- Then swipe up on the Camera app’s preview to close individual app.
If you’re using an iphone x or later model, follow these steps to force close apps that are left suspended or running in the background:
- Go to the Home screen to get started.
- Then swipe up from the bottom of the screen and then pause slightly in the middle.
- To close the app, swipe up on the Camera app’s preview.
A few moments later, launch or open the Camera app again then take a sample photo or video to see if the problem is gone. If the camera output is still blurry, then you have to move on to the next possible solution.
Second solution: Soft reset your iPhone.
The first solution was supposed to correct minor in-app issues including those that affect the camera outputs. But if that doesn’t solve the problem, then your next option would be to soft reset or reboot your device. Doing so will help eliminate minor software errors including those that caused camera problems to occur. This does not affect any saved information on your iPhone storage thus, creating backups won’t be necessary.
The following steps will soft reset/reboot an iPhone X or later models:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the Power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to power off your iPhone completely.
- Then after 30 seconds, press the Side button again to turn your iPhone back on.
If you’re using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or earlier versions, use these steps to reboot or soft reset:
- Press and hold the Top or Side button until the Power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to power off the phone completely.
- After about 30 seconds, press and hold the Top or Side button again to turn the phone back on.
Allow your phone to finish rebooting and then open the Camera app again to take sample photos and/or videos and see if the output is already as expected. If it still blurry, then you’ve got to troubleshoot further and rule out other causing factors.
Third solution: Install pending iOS update, if available.
Installing an iOS update can also be the key to eliminating the symptom if malwares and system bugs are to blame. Software updates that are rolled out by Apple usually contain bug fixes that are programmed to address existing problems on different iOS devices. Bug fixes for preinstalled apps like the Camera are also contained in these updates. If your phone doesn’t have trouble connecting to the Internet and has sufficient memory space and battery life, then you may go ahead and download any available iOS update. Simply follow these steps to get started:
- From the Home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- If an update is available and you’re ready to implement it, then tap the option to Download and Install.
Follow the rest of the onscreen prompts to complete the update installation process. Then reboot your iPhone when the update is finished to ensure that the recent system changes are properly implemented. After it reboots, launch the Camera app and see if it’s still blurry or not anymore.
Fourth solution: Reset all settings.
Settings that are not properly configured can also cause conflicts and may be the main reason why the camera isn’t working as intended. It could be that some customized settings on your device aren’t set in a way that adversely affects the camera app. To rule this out, follow these steps to reset all settings on your iPhone.
- From the Home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
- Choose the option to Reset all settings.
- Enter your device passcode when asked to continue.
- Confirm that you want to reset all settings on your iPhone.
Performing this reset erases all your customized settings along with the recent configuration of your iPhone. After the reset, all the original options and values are restored. That means you’ve got to enable only the features and functions that must be enabled so you can use them again on your phone.
Last resort: Restore factory default settings on your iPhone.
If all else failed to fix the problem, then it’s possible that the root cause is way too complex and so it requires more advanced solution. At this point, your remaining option would be a factory reset. This will wipe everything from your phone system including complex errors and corrupted system data that might have ruined the Camera app’s normal operation. If you wish to continue, then you better back up all your important files first so that you can still restore or recover them later when you need them back. Once you’re done backing up files, follow these steps to factory reset your iPhone through settings:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Choose the option to Erase all content and settings.
- Enter your device passcode if prompted.
- Then tap the option to confirm that you want to erase and restore your iPhone to its factory defaults.
Alternatively, you can use iTunes to manually erase and restore factory default settings on your iPhone on a computer. You can use either a Mac or Windows PC for as long as it runs on a compatible OS with that of your iPhone and has the latest version of iTunes apps in it.
Is your iPhone camera still blurry?
If your iPhone camera remains blurry after performing all the above solutions, then you are most likely dealing with a hardware issue. It’s possible that the physical components of your iPhone’s camera have obtained some sort of damage and therefore needs some hardware repair. At this point, the best option is to take your device to an Apple-authorized service center in your place and have it examined by an iPhone technician. Should you wish to avail for warranties, contact your carrier or service provider to report the issue and determine if your iPhone is eligible for new unit replacement or service warranty.
Connect with us
We are committed to helping our readers fix the problems with their phones as well as learn how to properly use their devices. So, if you have other issues, you may visit our troubleshooting page so you can check by yourself the articles we’ve already published that contain solutions to common problems. Also, we do create videos to demonstrate how things are done on your phone. Visit our Youtube Channel and please subscribe to it. Thanks.