Iphone 15 camera isnt working after IOS update

I've ran diagnostic mode myself and I had Camera Sensor Test for Rear Ultra Wide Lense with error following this message: The camera couldn't be detected. Verify that the camera is properly connected. then run the test again.

Also, regarding OldToad suggestion, yes, I've tried that also.

Edit: Battery percentage is at 83% - Normal.

Generally what I do is run a test, after the test, restart the iPhone and run it again. This helps reduce the possibility of a false positive.

If you get the same error twice, Apple Support says the next step is disabling and checking the flex cable for a loose or dirty connection. This cannot be done without disabling. My advice is, take it to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Mail in service would also be available.

I seriously doubt this is a software issue. The diagnostic test bypasses much of the app software is my understanding.

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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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.

Personally I prefer to have Apple diagnostics run in person rather than remotely. They hardwire into your iPhone and additional tests are performed that can’t be done remotely.

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

Hello~ More than likely you have a hardware issue that needs a look from Apple. Click on the links below to set up an appointment and get your iPhone checked out…

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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~Katana-San~

Hi, dirt/contamination enters through the charging port, speaker grills and around buttons. Yes, they are sealed to a degree but smartphones are not dust proof or waterproof. But the more likely occurrence is the relatively small bumps and knocks that happen during everyday use. While not hard enough to damage the frame or break glass, they can cause connectors to loosen. Then going through repeated heating and cooling cycles causes expansion and contractions until a connector loses contact. It could just be one or two pins not making contact.

Until a technician can examine the device it’s impossible to say exactly what has failed. Everything above is just one example of how a smartphone can experience a component failure.

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

You might try force restarting your iPhone according to: 

Force restart iPhone 

You’re welcome! I was a Store Manager a few years back. I’ve been in a few iStyle Stores in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. They’re nice stores but surprised to learn they charge for diagnostics.

You can run a less comprehensive diagnostics on the iPhone. I’ve linked to a support article that explains step by step the procedure.

When and how to use diagnostics mode with iPhone and iPad - Apple Support

Did you try a forced restart as OldToad suggested? Also, what is the battery health percentage? iPhone 15’s are getting old enough that some batteries are falling and need to be replaced.

inshal26 wrote:

Using a desktop iTunes i downgraded from iOS 18.5 to iOS 17 on my previous iPhone SE2, I experienced total data loss.

My 15’s Battery percentage is 78%.

Hi, your issue could be entirely related to the battery. Apple recommends replacing the battery once it drops below 80%. I’ve seen weak batteries cause a number of issues including the camera module indicating failure. Replacing the battery will be the first step.

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

Hello,

My girlfriend has the same issue with her iPhone 15. After the upgrade to 26.x the Rear Ultra Wide camera does not work anymore and once I try to take a photo it will freeze instantly. I'm getting the message that camera couldn't be detected. We've waited for incremental updates and eventually the major version of 27 but unfortunately nothing happened.

We've tried also a full reset - from factory and full reset of all settings and nothing worked.

I'm curios what Apple will do in this case because as I'm seeing a lot of people complaining about similar issue since version >26. I went to an Apple Store and they couldn't help me. They only told me to provide them the phone for an Apple Diagnostic for 30$~ and it will take between 5 - 14 days to have an answer.

And honestly, even if Apple tech team will find an issue with the camera, I really don't think this will fix the issue and neither if I buy a phone since I strongly believe that this is more of an iOS issue rather than a hardware issue. I read along that even those that have version above iPhone15 have similar issue.

So... to team Apple, please do something about it.

Thanks,

There is no team Apple and the only active participants in these communities are fellow Apple users. Apple and Apple Support do not participate in these communities. Sorry.

I’m curious what country you’re in and what store you took the iPhone to. Apple Stores do not charge for diagnostics, it’s free and takes only 5 to 10 minutes in most cases.

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for your response. Honestly for a moment I thought you're Apple Employee.

Regarding the Apple Store, I went to an iStyle Store which seems to be an Apple approved authorized partner or reseller. Maybe that's why. We don't have an official Apple Store.

Ever since upgrading to iOS 27, my rear main camera and flashlight have stopped working. Even after a force restart, the issue persists. I am thinking about downgrading back to iOS 18 using the iTunes app on my laptop to see if that helps. What are your thoughts on this? Will doing so revert the software back to iOS 18, exactly how it came out of the box?

I've got the same error twice. Unfortunately I think I'll need to take it to the Apple Authorized Service provider.

I'm just curious even if, let's say is a hardware issue as in a flex cable loose or dirty connection. How is this possible since it's completed sealed? I know it wasn't dropped and I know I didn't throw it in the pool.

Hi Jeff,

I can agree on the fact that everyday use can influence the connection looseness, but regarding the sealing part for the dust and waterproof, Apple confirms that, at least, my model iPhone 15 is water & dust proof according to: About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later - Apple Support (AE)

Anyway, nevertheless I will take try to make an appointment to my Apple Authorized store and see what happened.

It's a bit frustrating that I know it happened exactly after the update of the iOS. Hardware failure just feels at that time feels like a big coincidence.

Thank you for your time!

Daniel

You’re welcome!

Please read the headline of the article you linked to. Apple states they are water and dust resistant, not proof. That’s a big distinction. They are rated resistant up to IP68 testing. The testing is done under very tightly controlled laboratory conditions and not the real world. I’ve seen the insides of probably 1,000s of iPhones and the contaminants would probably surprise you if you thought they were dust/dirt proof.

Good luck!

Hi Daniel,

I am going through the same issue. Unlikely that several people on the same model would face the exact same issue as a consequence of water and dust, so I wouldn't trust that theory.

Did you happen to get it checked out at an authorized store? Please let me know what they said if you did, as you would be saving a few of us the same trip :-)

No force restarting doesnt work!

Honestly I don't know and I don't know how to go back to older version without having a backup with iOS18.

No, Apple doesn’t support downgrading of iOS. What is your battery’s health percentage?

Using a desktop iTunes i downgraded from iOS 18.5 to iOS 17 on my previous iPhone SE2, I experienced total data loss.

My 15’s Battery percentage is 78%.