iPhones can be tricky if you aren’t used to Apple devices, and this can leave you wondering, ‘how do I access my rear camera on my iPhone?’. We get it – and we’re here to help. Whether you need a repair or you just need some information, we can give you what you need.
At imFixed, we offer local tech repairs in and around Manchester, including Rochdale and Oldham. You can also get quality accessories to keep your tech running and protected, like cases and holders, as well as Apple chargers, cases, and screen protectors. That way, you can prevent damage and save yourself money long-term.
In this article, we will focus on accessing the rear camera on your iPhone – whether you’re new to Apple products, or if something has gone wrong, and you need to troubleshoot.
Switching Between the Front and Rear Cameras
If you only recently got an iPhone and still aren’t sure how to use it, then you might be wondering how to access the rear camera. Luckily, this is straightforward, and as soon as you do it once, you will get the hang of it.
You will need to go into the camera app on your device – this app will have a camera logo on it, so it’s easy to identify. This app can be access once your phone is unlocked or from the lock screen by swiping left.
To switch between the front and back cameras, there will be a symbol at the bottom of the camera screen, to the right of the circle you tap to take the photo. This will look like the outline of a camera with rotating arrows where the lens would be. Simply tap that, and the camera will switch.
If you are using the front camera, it will switch to the back, and vice versa.
How Do I Access My Rear Camera on My iPhone
Tried the above, but the rear camera doesn’t seem to be working? There could be a problem with the rear camera that you aren’t aware of, or something could be blocking it. Before you get frustrated, try two simple things below, and see if this solves the issue – you would be surprised by how often we forget about the obvious things!
Make Sure the Camera Lens is Clean
Dirt and grime can accumulate over time, and this can block the camera if it gets dirty enough. So, to do this, make sure you use a lint-free cloth like a microfibre cloth to get the job done. We recommend avoiding using moisture on it if you can, only going in with a slightly damp cloth if you need to.
Be careful not to get any fingerprints on the glass as you clean it, as even this can affect the quality of your photos!
Make Sure Nothing is Blocking the Camera
This might sound obvious, but check if there is anything blocking the camera and therefore making the screen black when you switch to it. Maybe you bought a phone case that was for the wrong model, and it’s covering the camera, or maybe there is something else blocking the way.
Either way, try removing your phone case and see if the camera works without it. If it does, then you will need to get a new case to protect your phone. Take the time to check the model and find a suitable case, either online or in a trusted store.
Force Close the Camera App
Sometimes apps glitch, and they just need to be force closed and started up again to work properly. This could be the case with the camera app, so give it a try and see if it resolves the issue.
To force close an app on an iPhone, simply double-tap or click the home button and your recently used apps will show up. Swipe right or left to locate the app you want to close – in this case, the camera app – then swipe up on the app. After a few seconds, reboot the app and see if it is working how it should.
If the Rear Camera on Your iPhone Still isn’t Working…
If you have tried the above, and you know how to access the rear camera on your iPhone, then there could be another issue at play. You might need to try a few more things to try and resolve the issues.
Restart Your iPhone
Try restarting your phone to see if this solves the problem. This will often solve a tech issue, and will jumpstart all the correct processes. Depending on the iPhone model you have, you will need to take different steps in order to do this, which we have outlined in some of our other articles.
Check for iOS Updates
Check your device to see if it needs an iOS update. If it does, then update it and try the camera again. If your device doesn’t want to update, then you can do it manually – but you will need the latest version of iTunes on a Windows or Mac laptop/PC.
Follow these steps:
- Connect your Windows/Mac device to the phone
- Do a force restart (steps outlined in an above section) to get your phone in Recovery Mode
- Don’t let go of the buttons until the phone screen has the Recovery mode screen (a charging cable with an arrow pointed at a laptop)
- Select ‘update’ when the option to restore or update on your computer shows up
- Confirm, then follow the instructions given to you (it can take up to 15 minutes, so have some patience)
- Your phone will restart on its own once you’re done
If this doesn’t work, you can use DFU Mode, but beware that this will restore iOS to a clean slate, so back your phone up first!
Reset All Settings
You can try resetting all your iPhone’s settings. This will make every single setting on your iPhone the default, so you will need to do all your customising again.
Only do this if you have some time to spare, and follow these steps: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
NOTE: Be careful which option you select in this area, as “Erase All Content and Settings” will delete the data on your phone and turn it into a clean slate.
Factory Reset
If nothing else is working, you might need to erase your iPhone to its default state. This will get rid of everything on the device, so make sure you back up all your important data before proceeding if you want to keep it.
To reset your iPhone, follow these steps: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings → Erase iPhone.
Let imFixed Help You
We would love to hear from you and help you at imFixed – from solving technical issues like broken power buttons and speaker problems to full repairs on screens, cameras, and battery replacements.
If you want to try solving tech problems yourself, we also have a range of articles that can help you on the journey. This includes blogs on iPhones that won’t detect your SIM card, won’t vibrate, charge, update, or connect to Wi-Fi. Our articles and guides can help you troubleshoot issues like poor sound quality of calls, why people can’t hear you on your phone, and why your front camera isn’t working – there’s plenty to learn.
So, how do I access my rear camera on my iPhone? This depends on what the issue is. If you are new to the world of iPhones, then we’ve walked you through accessing the back camera. If this is because of a tech issue where you can’t seem to access the rear camera, we’ve given you some troubleshooting options to try out.
Can’t solve the problem? Why not bring your device in, and we can look at it for you?
