How to Stop iPhone Camera from Turning on in Pocket
Owning an iPhone is considered a privilege in our technology-driven society.
As they say, nothing is ever one-dimensional and there is always a downside to everything.
It is ridiculous to spend more than $1000 to buy an iPhone only for it to keep misbehaving.
The most common problem users face is when their iPhone’s camera keeps turning on in their pockets.
Your iPhone will misbehave every once in a while for multiple reasons.
This article will guide you in solving these issues in no time.
How to Stop iPhone Camera from Turning on in Pocket
It can be quite maddening when your iPhone camera keeps taking photos inside your pocket.
The most common cause is when you have enabled Tap to Wake, and the solution is to just disable the option in settings.
You will notice that when the camera turns itself on and takes photos and videos, your iPhone will heat after 20 minutes or so.
The battery is bound to drain faster and it will have a short shelf life.
How to Prevent the iPhone Camera from Accidentally Turning On
The camera on most iPhones is accessible on the lock screen without necessarily unlocking the phone when you swipe to the left.
There are hardware and software glitches that may cause the camera to open without your permission.
Below are some of the common solutions.
1. Restart the iPhone
The simplest way to fix any software issue is to do a restart. For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13 & 14;
- Tap the button located on the right side plus the volume up or down button and wait for a power-off prompt to appear.
- Tug on the slider to confirm power shut down.
- Wait for 30 seconds then power on the iPhone by pressing the side button until the Apple logo appears.
For 2nd generation iPhones (6, 7, and 8):
- Tap the button on your right side only and wait for a power-off prompt to appear.
- Trail the bar to the left and wait for the phone to shut down.
- Turn on your iPhone by pressing the side button and wait for the Apple logo to appear.
For 1st generation (iPhone 5 and earlier):
- Tap the top button and wait for a power-off prompt to appear.
- Pull the bar as directed and wait for the iPhone to shut down.
- Power on the device by pressing the top button until the apple logo appears.
There are some instances whereby your iPhone is frozen and may not respond to a restart attempt.
2. Upgrade to The Latest iOS Version
Your device’s operating system may simply be out of date and a software update would just do the trick.
It is therefore advisable to ensure your iPhone always has the latest iOS update.
Follow these steps to check;
- Tap on settings> general > software update> search for new updates.
- If there is an available update, download and install it.
3. Reset All Settings
This option is used as a last resort when the camera problem persists even after trying the methods mentioned above.
Go to settings and select the General tab.
From the dropdown menu select reset all settings.
Before trying this method, back up your data on iTunes and iCloud beforehand since it may all get lost.
4. Contact Apple Customer Care
If the issue keeps recurring, the problem could be on the hardware side.
Apple customer care is available 24/7 for any troubleshooting.
You may decide to ask for a replacement if your iPhone is still under warranty.
Restricting the Camera from Accessing iPhone Lock Screen
If you are photogenic and really love taking photos, then you love having the camera conveniently on the lock screen.
But what if it is more troubling than it is worth?
It might be time to consider removing the camera from the lock screen.
The downside to this method is the restriction placed on the stock camera app where iOS doesn’t recognize the app.
You will be forced to remove the restriction each and every time you want to take a shot.
This is very troublesome to people who like taking photos and videos every five minutes.
The steps outlined below work on iPhones using iOS 12 and 13;
- Open the settings app on your device and go to screen time.
- Turn on screen time then access content & privacy restrictions.
- Turn the content & privacy restriction toggle on. If there is a screen time password make sure to enter it.
- Then select the allowed apps and flick off the camera switch.
Since Apple has no straightforward way of turning off the camera at the lock screen, this is the next best thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are My Photos Located on The iPhone?
When you take new photos, they are stockpiled in folders generated in the DCIM directory.
Every folder is identifiable by a unique number that follows the word APPLE, and this is where the images are located.
Why are My iPhone Photos Upturned When Viewing in Windows?
After taking a couple of photos on your iPhone camera and seeing that they are okay, don’t be too surprised if they appear at weird angles when viewed on your laptop.
The issue could be the photo’s orientation on your iPhone.
In order to take a picture on iOS 5, you can use the volume buttons to release the shutter by placing them upwards.
To fix this issue, ensure the volume buttons face down when taking pictures.
How Can I Delete My Photos on My iPhone?
If you are aiming to free up some space on your iPhone, then mass deleting your camera roll photos and videos is the way to go.
It can be a headache when you need to delete hundreds of photos in one go.
To perform this operation, you have to use a computer with either Windows or Mac OS.
Connect your iPhone to the laptop and use image capture or iExplorer freeware.
Final Thoughts
After following the steps outlined in this guide, your iPhone camera will not bother you again.
Your iPhone’s battery will have a longer shelf life and you get to enjoy taking videos and pictures to your heart’s content.
