Opening camera on iPhone 12 starts making clicking sound

Is there a clicking sound or just a feel like the haptics?

Are you referring to the iOS camera app?

If a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile is installed on an iPhone by a corporation or organization, it can impose various restrictions and controls over the device, including camera behavior. The clicking sound when opening the camera or switching modes could be due to several reasons related to MDM policies:

1. Privacy and Security Settings – Some corporate MDM policies enforce security measures that may impact the way the camera operates. This can include making certain system sounds mandatory for compliance or security reasons.
2. Preventing Silent Recording – Some regions and organizations enforce a camera shutter sound to prevent unauthorized or secret recordings. MDM can override system settings to make the camera produce sounds even if the phone is in silent mode.
3. Logging or Monitoring Features – Certain MDM solutions may monitor or log the use of the camera. If the MDM profile includes enhanced security features, the clicking sound could be a result of system-level logging or alert mechanisms being triggered when the camera is accessed.
4. Software or Configuration Glitches – If the MDM profile is misconfigured or interacts with iOS updates in unexpected ways, it could cause anomalies such as additional sounds when using the camera.

If you suspect that an MDM profile is responsible for this behavior, you can check by going to:

Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and reviewing the installed profiles. However, removing an MDM profile usually requires administrative access or permission from the corporate IT department.

Does it click multiple times? Does it stop clicking? Clicking may be associated with image stabilization. Image stabilization can be disabled by placing a strong magnet near the camera module.