Camera won't focus on tap in Photo mode with 1x lens after the iOS 26 update on iPhone 13 Pro Max

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Level 1

9 points

Camera won't focus on tap in Photo mode with 1x lens after the iOS 26 update on iPhone 13 Pro Max

Hi,

my iPhone 13PM won’t do anything anymore when I tap on the screen to focus. Autofocus is working tho. But when I want to change the focus and tap anywhere else it wont do anything.

It works in video mode or potrait mode also with 0,5x and 3x lenses. Third party apps are also doing his job.

the problem only appers in stock camera app in photo mode woth the 1x lense.

I restarted the phone and also deleted the stock camera app and reinstalled it from the app store.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: camera focus issue after iOS26

iPhone 13 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 12:43 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,676 points

Nov 5, 2025 7:27 AM in response to arconteforever

Sounds like a hardware issue. You need to have Apple perform diagnostics on your iPhone. It can be done in person at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also contact Apple Support and request remote diagnostics.

If you’re in the US, please call 1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Explore Service Locations

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Answer 2

Strogg89 Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 4, 2025 9:50 AM in response to Strogg89

I updated to 26.1 yesterday but sadly I still have this issue. Someone said its probably hardware related but no. Its not. I can tap to focus in video, cinema or portrait mode. Also third party apps has no such issues. Its only the stock camera app on 1x camera which does not focus on tapping.

Its getting annoying but it looks like there other ppl with the same issue, so its most likely a bug

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Answer 3

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,676 points

Nov 3, 2025 2:15 PM in response to arconteforever

I’d start suspecting that the issue is hardware related and not software. You need to have Apple perform diagnostics on your iPhone. It can be done in person at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also contact Apple Support and request remote diagnostics.

If you’re in the US, please call 1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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Answer 4

Nov 5, 2025 1:18 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Please Jeff, it seems like you haven’t read the whole forum thread, honestly. This is not a hardware issue, and there’s evidence of that. It worked perfectly on iOS 18, but not on iOS 26. We need Apple to fix this bug, which in my opinion is quite critical, since it severely affects one of the iPhone’s main features, the camera. Thanks.

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Answer 5

Nov 3, 2025 2:25 PM in response to Jeff Donald

It’s not a hardware problem, since for example, in Cinematic mode at 1x it works. Also, I have a friend with the same iPhone as mine and he has the same issue, and from what I can see, the thread creator has it too, so it’s definitely not a hardware problem. And of course, it was working fine before installing iOS 26.

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Answer 6

Dec 12, 2025 4:13 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Yes, I’ve done that and everything is 100% perfect. I repeat, it’s not a hardware issue. I have friends who also have the iPhone 13 Pro and the same thing has been happening to them since iOS 26.

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Answer 7

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,676 points

Oct 15, 2025 10:30 AM in response to Strogg89

How long are you taping and holding? It does seem a little long before I get AE/AF Lock and the yellow box.

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Answer 8

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,676 points

Nov 3, 2025 2:28 PM in response to arconteforever

Can’t hurt to have Apple diagnosis the issue. It helps alert the support team to the extent of the issue.

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Answer 9

Nov 4, 2025 10:18 AM in response to Strogg89

Have you tried doing a factory reset on the iPhone to see if that fixes the problem? I’m actually thinking about doing that myself to see if it solves the problem...

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Answer 10

Strogg89 Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 20, 2025 3:41 PM in response to arnob193

like I said, it works with third party apps and also in in video or potrait mode, so its definetely not a hardware issue.

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Answer 11

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,676 points

Oct 20, 2025 3:56 PM in response to Strogg89

There is speculation that some cameras may have a software issue in regard to focus with iOS 26. I’ve personally not experienced the focus issue.

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Answer 12

konek_

Level 1

12 points

Nov 3, 2025 1:58 PM in response to Strogg89

Most likely just an OS issue. Should be fixed with the next update.

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Answer 13

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,676 points

Dec 12, 2025 3:25 PM in response to arconteforever

Again, sounds like a hardware issue. Have you had Apple perform diagnostics?

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Answer 14

Nov 3, 2025 1:46 PM in response to Strogg89

I’m having the same issue as you, and it still isn’t resolved. I’m on iOS 26.1, iPhone 13 Pro. Do you think Apple will do anything about it? I’m so frustrated. I love photography, and this is really annoying.

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Answer 15

Nov 7, 2025 5:44 AM in response to Strogg89

Mine doesn’t focus after the 26.1 update When I use the max zoom all lights at night turn into round pixel balls with a black flashing ring around it. Photo below is after the update from 26 to 26.1 the photo below was before update

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