10 Easy Fixes When iPhone Camera Keeps Refocusing

The camera is one of the essential features of a smartphone, and the iPhone has one of the best cameras on the market. However, it can be challenging to capture a perfect shot if your iPhone camera keeps refocusing. 

Keep on reading to try our easy solutions!

What to Do if Your iPhone Camera Won’t Focus?

Camera refocusing is a common problem experienced by iPhone users. The causes of this problem can range from minor software bugs to more serious hardware issues, such as a damaged camera lens. Luckily, we have some tips to try out.

1. Clean the Camera Lens 

The lens on your iPhone’s camera can become dirty or smudged, causing the camera to refocus constantly. Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens and see if the issue is resolved.

2. Gently Tap Your iPhone

Surprisingly, lightly tapping the top of your iPhone with your finger helps the rear camera focus most of the time. 

3. Take Off Your Case

Some iPhone cases with metal or magnetic details can hinder the performance of the gyroscope feature, causing the camera to shake. Try taking photos with your iPhone case off to see the difference.

4. Restart the Camera App

Most iPhone software issues can be resolved by simply restarting the app causing the problem. To force quit and restart the Camera app, follow these steps:

1. Unlock your iPhone.
   • Swipe up from the bottom if you have an iPhone X or newer.
   • If you have an iPhone 8 or older, click the Home Button twice.
2. Swipe the Camera app card up.
3. Re-launch the Camera app.

5. Turn off Auto-Focus 

If the camera keeps refocusing, try turning off the Auto-Focus feature even after cleaning the lens. To do this, open the Camera app and tap the screen where you want the focus to be, then tap and hold the screen until the yellow AE/AF Lock banner appears. This will lock the focus and exposure, preventing the camera from refocusing.

6. Switch to the Selfie Camera and Back 

Some iPhone users have found that switching between the main and the selfie camera helps their device focus more easily. 

7. Restart Your iPhone 

Restarting your iPhone can often solve minor software issues that may cause the camera to refocus constantly. To restart your iPhone:

1. Unlock your iPhone.
   • Press the side button and one of the volume buttons on iPhone X or newer.
   • Press the side button on iPhone 8 or older.
2. Wait until the power-off slider appears and slide right.
3. Press and hold the Power button to turn your iPhone back on.

9. Update your iPhone’s software 

Apple often releases software updates that include bug fixes and improvements for the camera. Here’s how to ensure your iPhone is up to date:

1. Go to Settings. 
2. In General, tap Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions.

9. Reset Your iPhone’s Settings 

If your iPhone camera won’t focus after an update, try resetting your iPhone’s settings. This will erase all your customized settings but won’t delete any of your data or media. 

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select General and then Reset.
3. On the next screen, tap Reset All Settings and follow the on-screen instructions.

10. Erase All Content and Settings

As a last resort, entirely erasing your iPhone and setting it up again might fix any software issues that prevent the camera from focusing. Nevertheless, remember that this step will erase your entire iPhone data. Make sure to back up your device before proceeding with the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. From General, select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. On the next screen, tap on Erase All Content and Settings and follow the on-screen instructions.

If the auto-refocusing issue on your iPhone persists despite trying all the quick fixes, seek assistance from an Apple technician or service center nearby. They may even opt to replace either the camera or the entire iPhone.

Final Thoughts

If your iPhone camera keeps refocusing, there are several simple and effective solutions you can try. From cleaning the lens to resetting your iPhone’s settings or updating its software, these solutions are easy to implement and can save you time and frustration. 

However, if none of these solutions work, it is advisable to seek help from an authorized technician or an Apple service center to diagnose and fix the problem.