Last month, Apple released iOS 18.2 with new Apple Intelligence features, but some users found that it messed up their iPhone’s camera and flashlight.
According to several messages on Reddit And X, iOS 18.2 negatively impacted the camera experience for many users. For example, CryptographerWeary64 claims that its camera sometimes doesn’t work since the update. When they try to launch the camera app, they are greeted with a black screen and it takes two to three attempts for it to work. The problem also manifests itself when using Snapchat.
Something similar happens with the flashlight after the update. Either it doesn’t work or it takes longer to launch than usual.
Since I updated to iOS 18.2 my camera sometimes refuses to work, for example I try to use the camera app, it’s just a black screen, I have to reopen it 2-3 times to finally get it working, same for Snapchat the camera will just be black and will have to restart the app once or twice to get it working. My flash light also refuses to work or takes a long time to activate via the action button or the control center sometimes, most often via the action button it does not work.
CryptographerWeary64, Reddit user, December 2024
Same with me too. At first I thought it was my phone, but looking at the forums it seemed to be happening with version 18.2. I just received my phone last weekend so I thought it was just my phone and was about to go back and trade it in but it seems to be a software issue. I get the same black screen whether I use the camera control button, the camera icon, or from the lock screen.
sfjerry415, Reddit user, December 2024
My iPhone 16 pro max is having the same problems. I had to keep closing/reopening the camera and torch app until it worked. This problem only started happening after updating to IOS 18.2.
Fuzzy_Ad_4401, Reddit user, December 2024
Some users, especially those who purchased their phone recently, mistook the bug for a hardware issue, but with so many discussions created about the issue, it’s obvious that iOS 18.2 is the culprit.
One user said Apple asked him to factory reset his phone and this advice led to his phone freezing. So if you are tempted to do the same, it is better to avoid this risk.
If you call Apple they will just turn you on and say it’s your car or your cable. I’ve been dealing with this for a week now and the last thing they told me to do was factory reset my phone. I did that, then an error occurred and now my phone is bricked.
Impossible-Profit245, December 2024, Reddit user
I haven’t experienced the issue on my phone, and based on the complaints I’ve seen online, the bug mainly affects iPhone 16 users, which might explain why my The iPhone 14 Pro was spared.
I’m currently having issues when using the flashlight, it takes about 10 seconds to activate, unlike before the update where it turned on instantly. Also, when I enter apps like Snapchat, the camera doesn’t work, it just shows a black screen. and takes some time to activate.
AzureDragon_-, Reddit user, December 2024
Face ID also has been impacted for some. What happens is that If you try to open the camera with Camera Control when the phone is unlocked, the Camera app opens to a black screen and Face ID also stops working.
Same problem here, Face ID doesn’t work or slows down on Apple Pay as well,
Theeunburnt, Reddit user, January 2025
