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michaelmatta
User level: Level 1 (11 points)

iPhone 16 Pro Max: Developer app camera won't focus for ID

Hello everyone,

I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and I’m trying to enroll in the Apple Developer Program through the Developer app on my iPhone.

When I’m asked to photograph a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, the camera does not focus properly, so I’m unable to complete the identity verification.

I’ve already tried enabling and disabling Macro Control, restarting the iPhone, and checking for software updates. My iPhone is currently running the latest version of iOS.

The regular Camera app focuses normally. The issue only occurs inside the Apple Developer app.

Has anyone experienced this issue or found a solution?

Posted on Jul 29, 2026 10:12 AM

9 replies

akarce
User level: Level 1 (30 points)

Jul 30, 2026 3:25 AM in response to michaelmatta

me too, and this is quite frustrating and shockingly ridiculous for an app that is developed by apple, for developers. same thing on my 16 pro max, the capture view just won't focus at ID distance and it doesn't let you zoom either. tried macro control on and off, restarting, holding it further away, nothing. stock camera app focuses fine, it's only this app.


what finally worked for me: the developer app on mac. downloaded it, signed in, started enrollment there, and when it asks for the ID photo you can pick your iphone as the camera. it was still capturing from too far away and my ID had gaps on the sides, but unlike the phone app it actually accepted the submission and let me continue with the next steps, no support ticket needed. there's also an option to use the mac's own camera holding the ID up, but I didn't trust that to pass so I stuck with the iphone.


so if you're stuck, try enrolling through the mac app with your iphone as the camera. and apple, please fix the capture view in your own developer app, this close focus issue has been around since the 14 pro.

jpalomaki
User level: Level 1 (14 points)

Aug 30, 2026 8:46 AM in response to michaelmatta

Sama problem with iPhone 15 Pro Max. Managed to complete this on iPad. There's iPad version of the Apple Developer app available.

fbdjsfhjdksafhjdsahjk
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Aug 11, 2026 11:11 PM in response to michaelmatta

same here. the mac app solution doesn't work for me - that's what I started with. I tried using my phone as the remote camera and it was able to get a half decent picture, but on the next screen when it has you review the picture it either crashes the app or it's completely black. insane experience as a long time developer just trying to get started with the apple ecosystem.



DEinspanjer
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Aug 15, 2026 1:58 PM in response to fbdjsfhjdksafhjdsahjk

Exact same problem with a 16 Pro Max.

I’ll try using my iMac but it is ridiculous that this “fancy” phone with three camera lenses and three additional sensors on the back can’t take an in focus picture that Apple demands you use the phone and app for.

gapless
User level: Level 1 (9 points)

Oct 6, 2026 8:47 PM in response to michaelmatta

Same problem with iPhone 17 pro. It's obviously an app issue; a comically self-indicting one at that: the onboarding flow for people Apple wants to build software for its platforms is itself brittle, opaque, and gives basically no actionable diagnostics when it fails. Maybe it's a cheeky warning on how not to build an app.

Molleone
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Aug 11, 2026 11:29 PM in response to michaelmatta

I have the exact same problem on iPhone 17 Pro. Only camera in Developer app will not focus on my drivers license.

CFJ902
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Oct 28, 2026 2:59 PM in response to michaelmatta

Same on iPhone 15 Pro. Genuinely embarrassing on Apple that this can’t be resolved in an alternative manner.

To__z
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Oct 28, 2026 3:15 PM in response to michaelmatta

看無

metis_seeker
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Nov 7, 2026 8:23 AM in response to fbdjsfhjdksafhjdsahjk

How did you end up resolving it? Were you able to workaround the developer app crash?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256333486