Apple iPhones are unique devices, and often suffer from unique issues as well. One such unique issue was recently raised by a Reddit user who complained of the iPhone camera moving automatically.
iPhone camera moving – it’s not normal
The Reddit user also posted a video showing the iPhone camera moving on its own. The iPhone in question is an iPhone 7. Other users also chipped in and talked of a similar issue with their iPhone.
“My iPhone 8 would do this all the time, I couldn’t take pictures or videos without it making it seem like the person holding the camera had terrible tremors. It would make a shuttering noise like crazy too,” one user said. Some also reported the same issue with their iPhone 6 as well.
A point to note is that the iPhone camera moving automatically is not a new issue, and users have reported the same issue in the past as well.
“I have an issue with my iPhone 7. The rear camera on my phone always moves and readjusts itself when taking photos and videos. It is not my shaky hands, it even does this when I set the phone down. It’s also not a focusing issue because everything is still in focus, it’s just moving,” a Reddit user said last year.
If your iPhone camera is also moving automatically then be assured that it is not someone spying on you, rather the issue is likely a broken optical image stabilization unit (OIS). OIS is a common feature in most phones nowadays. The feature uses several components and sensors to erase the effect of hand movement while taking an image.
Blame OIS
The OIS moving with the hand movement is expected, but if the camera lens is moving randomly, then there is a problem with your phone’s OIS. In the video posted by the Reddit user, the lens is seen moving unusually.
“Your 7’s OIS mechanism seems broken somehow. The camera unit in your XR does actually move, but your camera has to be on and you have to move the device for it to move. When functioning correctly, OIS only moves to offset the movement of your hand. It won’t move on its own if your phone is sitting still,” one Reddit user said in reply to the user who posted the video.
Also, a report from iDropNews notes that the issue of the iPhone camera moving automatically or an issue with the OIS also leads to inferior image quality. Users with devices having an OIS problem might witness blurry images even when there is little or no hand movement.
Though the iPhone camera moving is a rare issue, it may become more common going forward. Prior to the iPhone 7, only the Plus version iPhones featured OIS, but now all iPhones come with OIS.
If you are also facing the issue of a randomly moving lens, or the image quality is not up to par, then there are chances that your phone’s OIS system is at fault. It is recommended that you take your device to Apple for repair.
iMessage waiting for activation – how to fix?
Separately, talking of another common issue that has long been troubling iPhone users is related to iMessage. The iMessage “Waiting for Activation” is an issue that many iPhone users might also have experienced.
There could be several reasons why iMessage may not activate. For instance, it could be due to an issue with the cellular company or a bug. Many times, the issue resolves itself after some time. But, the question is – how long should a user wait?
According to Apple, it can take about 24 hours for iMessage to activate. So, if the issue doesn’t get resolved within 24 hours, then there are a few things that you must ensure. First, make sure that the iOS you are using is updated. Second, ensure that you are connected to Wi-Fi or have a strong cellular connection.
Third, ensure that the date and time are correct (you can set the date and time to automatic). You must also ensure that your carrier supports iMessage. All major U.S. carriers (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T) support iMessage. You must also confirm with the carrier if they have placed any limits on your SMS text message plan.
If the issue still persists after waiting for 24 hours and ensuring the above things, then you must contact Apple support.
