How to Fix iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera Focus Issue

I have the same problem. Is that a hardware problem? Or maybe it's just how the lenses works?

If it is a hardware problem I can use the AppleCare+ to get a new phone, but if the problem happens on all iPhone 16PM...

Apple made changes to how the camera operates in closeup and macro mode. Most of the users posting here are using their iPhone to shoot spec sheets, menus, and other objects in the closeup range. Macro works, but requires different techniques that are inconvenient for their primary usage.

If you’re using your camera for more normal imagery you’re fine. In my opinion, it’s the best iPhone camera to date. I find it does excellent work for the flowers I photograph up close.

I always start with calling: 800-692-7753 (apple)

and requesting your CASE REFERENCE NUMBER at the end of the call

if that doesn't move your complaint forward -- call back in a couple days have them setup an appointment at the Apple Store -- watch the person doing any test if they have a clue what they are doing -- it's a pretty easy point to argue if your test is setup correctly...

Apple has changed the camera module and the camera does not focus as close in 1X as previous models. The Fusion Camera is using the .5X for macro mode. The 13mm lens is not as sharp in the corners as the 1X.

You can stand further back from your subject and choose 1X lens and 48 MP resolution or use a different camera.

The iPhone 13 Pro’s standard camera can focus much closer than the 16 Pro‘s. 

When photographing a full A4 sized paper or similar it seems that the 16 Pro is close to the threshold of switching to macro mode. This leads to blurry pictures. Apple should address this by changing the lens or the distance at which the switch from standard to wide angle lens/macro mode occurs. 

You’re running into 2 issues. One is the barrel distortion associated with ultra wide angle lenses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distortion_(optics)

The second issue is Ultra wide angle lenses often appear less sharp at the corners because of the inherent design challenges in capturing a very wide field of view, which can lead to issues like light falloff (Vignetting), barrel distortion, and field curvature*, causing the image quality to degrade significantly towards the edges of the frame, especially when compared to the center sharpness; this is particularly noticeable on lower-end lenses or when shooting at wide apertures. 

“Curvature of field" in an ultra-wide angle lens refers to an optical aberration where the plane of focus is not flat, meaning the image edges appear blurry while the center remains sharp, which is a common issue with wide angle lenses, especially when the focal length is very short (ultra wide angle), causing the image to appear slightly curved at the edges; this is a significant concern in photography as it can affect image quality, particularly in the corners of the frame. 

https://petapixel.com/2016/12/21/field-curvature-tricky-problem-photography/

I am facing same camera focusing issue’ if I compared with iPhone 14 Pro Max then picture quality and focusing more accurate than 16 pro max. So many picture noise and blur issues observed after taking pictures. Even though when capturing group photo then focus level not accurate for all faces. This problems should be solved urgent basis.

I too am unable to take simple close-ups (non-macro) with 16 Pro, and am on the verge of what I might call FEAR, as this ability is a necessity in today’s digital world!

I have thought I simply got a bad phone, though am somewhat relieved to see this forum.

I hope Apple can fix with software updates!

Hi, I think many people don’t understand some fundamentals of camera lenses and optics. All lenses focus to infinity, but they also have a minimum focus distance as well.

My 50mm (1X) for full frame digital focuses down to about 18” and my 24mm (.5X) focuses to about 12” and 14mm focus down to about 8”

My iPhone 16 PM 1X lens is similar to my 50mm Canon lenses, focusing at about 18”. The .5X lens exceeds the near focus capability focusing down to about 6”. 

Some feel there’s a sharpness issue. The 13mm lens at 6” is not that sharp and the corners are soft. However, this is typical of all ultra wide angle lenses. 

Apple seems to have changed the near focus distance for the 24mm 1X lens. If it’s actually a design change in the lens, no software update will matter. Apple could possibly change the focus algorithm and force the lens to focus closer, but the results may not be acceptably sharp. 

I can confirm my wife’s 15 PM at 24mm (1X) focuses sharply at about 14”, maybe closer. 

The last two posters are claiming closeup photos. I’ve posted numerous extremely sharp handheld shots too. Your point?

New posters obviously aren’t reading the thread. One I responded to claims had the camera replaced. I find it hard to believe a replacement camera isn’t sharp.

Major YouTube reviewers aren’t noting it either. Shayne Mostyn that noticed the blue streaks and acknowledged Apple fixed it with an iOS release has said nothing about any sharpness issues.

Closeup focus has changed, but at the distance the 1X focuses, images are sharp. People just aren’t understanding that close focus has changed on the 1X. It does not focus as close as prior versions. My wife’s iPhone 15 Pro Max focuses 2 to 3 inches closer than my 16 PM. Both are on 18.3.1. The 1X on the 16 PM just does focus as close. It never will. Future models probably won’t either. Apple is relying on the .5X for macro now that it’s 48 MP.

Absolutely true. Apple Support sent me to the nearest Apple Store, guy at the store acknowledged the issue, could not help, saw that the 16 Pros at the store have the same issue and that my son’s 13 Pro takes clearer pictures, told me to contact phone support again and tell them that I posted on this forum and did not receive help, support now wants me to do a screen recording … blabla.

This makes no sense. I know how to take a picture, even with an analog medium format camera. Very disappointing! They should find a solution or offer a trade in for the 17 Pros (assuming a better camera).

This isn’t Apple Support. No one here is an advisor and can put images into anyone’s hands. This is a user to user community and always has been. 😀

It’s mostly me too’s and no proof. This thread has gone from macro doesn’t work, to it can’t take a sharp photo at any zoom to now you’re claiming it is not sharp when it’s approximately 1:1 on a screen.

Again, I’ll disagree. I’ll take some images into Lightroom Classic, magnify the pixels 1:1 and do some screenshots. They’ll be sharp, too.

Hello guys, I hace the sane issue… I only had iphone 6 s plus, 7 plus and now I got my all new 16 pro max.. and I can tell you this without any doubt: my old 7 plus camera wipes the floor with the 16 pro max.. I’m not a professional photographer but I’ve always taken pictures all the time with my previous phone.. I’m SO dissapointed, you can’t imagine… Im from Argentina and I don’t know about you guys but I had to work my As$ off to get the money to buy this piece of junk with a 2004 camera on it… so I dont know what will happen in the future…

No, I’m going to make it simple. Apple changed the specification. The 24mm 1X lens does not focus as close as the older lenses. I’ve said that many times, but no one accepts it. Here is another analogy, really simplified. My 2025 Lexus looks different than the 2022 model. It’s obviously defective because they are different and I demand Lexus fix my 2022 model.

Do you understand now. It’s not defective. The lens designed changed. There is nothing to fix. The engineers changed the specifications for the lens. If you want to know why, ask the engineers and product managers at Apple. No software will fix the lens’ ability to focus close, no software will make the 2025 Lexus look like the 2022. Lexus. If you want an iPhone 13 you should have bought one. But iPhone 16 brought changes that you don’t want.

Stop wasting peoples time and go take some pictures.

The size of the chip has no effect on minimum focus distance. None. MoF is a characteristic of the optical design of the lens. Several of the major criteria of lens design are cost, size and weight.

Would you spend $500 more for a better lens? Would you buy the iPhone if it stuck out another 3cm? Would 2cm more be acceptable? If the iPhone weighed 175 grams more would you buy it? How about 80 grams more?

The camera module is always a compromise. You don’t like this models compromises. I get. But no one, not even Apple, can fix to your satisfaction the design modifications made in the camera. Better luck next year. But next year, please do your due diligence and make sure you try the features you feel are most important.