Iphone 16 Pro Max Camera Shows Black Screen When Accessed from Lock Screen

Which iOS version are you on?

This really sounds like a system bug. I had the exact same issue — camera goes black when opening it from the lock screen (before Face ID). Tried everything, nothing worked. Felt like I wasted a thousand bucks for nothing 😩.

In my case, I’m using an iPhone 16, and it only started working again after I downgraded from iOS 18.4 to 18.3.2. So I'd suggest trying to either upgrade or downgrade your iOS version — Apple may have fixed it (or introduced the bug again ).

[Edited by Moderator]

Well, well. I just did a full power off and restart and the camera works on those apps that it had failed to so before the restart. Odd behaviour and requirement but at least it's working.....for now ;)

restarting the phone fixed it for me

Seems to have been resolved in 18.4/18.4.1 I haven’t had any issues since this upgrade came in

Same problem almost everything after the screen is lock for a while. I take up my phone and press the camera control button. The camera app shows up but remain a black camera view (it's like the camera isn't waking up at all) or it's like having a camera lens cap on which it doesn't have anything covering it.

I had to unlock and swipe force close the camera app and press the camera control button again to works.

This is like repeatable.

same for me. But if I clear the background apps, only then it opens.

this is irritating but its a temporary solution for me

Did you try uninstalling all facebook related apps and then normal reboot

Here are some common solutions you can attempt:

1. Follow the Apple article to resolve the issue --> If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on or is frozen ...
2. If not resolved; please follow the steps in the following link for support with this issue: If your iOS device restarts or displays the Apple logo or a spinning gear unexpectedly
3. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
   1. Restart the device. That's it.
   2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
4. Make sure you have the latest updates installed. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)
5. You still see a black screen after charging, force restarting, following the steps in this article.
   1. You see a black screen, but you can hear alerts, sounds, and vibrations.
   2. The screen remains black, but the device chirps when you unmute it and connect it to power.
   3. Your screen is on, but it doesn't respond when you tap, slide, or try other gestures. 
   4. You can't force your device to restart because a button is broken or stuck.
   5. Your device is stuck on the Apple logo, displays a solid color, or isn't recognized in iTunes.
   6. Contact Apple Support to set up service if you have any of the above issues:
6. Please follow the steps in the following Apple Video for support with this issue:

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.

i have had the same issue on my Iphone 16 plus. Opening the camera from the lockscreen opens a black screen, but I also have the black screen issue when using apps that use the camera, such as Snapchat or Walmart or when using the QR scanner. I have to restart my phone anytime I want to use these apps in order for the camera to work. Otherwise, it is just a black screen no matter what I do. it is not an app issue as it doesn't fix when i delete and reinstall the apps, and it doesn't happen on my non 16 phone

This just happened for me today, it happened even when the phone was unlocked, I first did like I used to do, swiped from the lockscreen to enter camera, black screen only showing the control buttons. Then I tried by opening the camera app from the homescreen, same problem. I then tried taking a photo while the screen was black, and it worked fine and I could see the photo after. Then I turned off the screen again (no reboot) and waited a little bit while I checked the camera lenses. Then I tried again and now I could see screen like normal, no longer black. This is the first time I have seen this I think. I am using the latest ios 18.6.1

Did you try uninstalling all facebook related apps and then normal reboot

I am having this issue, but it doesn't matter if the phone is locked or not. It doesn't matter how I open the camera (camera app, side button, lock screen, control center, in any other app, front or back-facing camera). I've tried waiting it out, but it will stay black indefinitely. Force restarting my phone has worked once.

Like so many others, I too am experiencing this issue. It seems to be a growing concern that has not been resolved with two O/S updates, in my case. My Iphone 16 Pro is at update 18.5 but this still is not resolved. This should not be a huge problem to resolve so Apple - get with it please.

I am having exactly the same issue. It’s very frustrating.

None of the guidance in the above post is helpful. It is not a freeze. It seems to be the camera not initializing properly if the phone is not unlocked when the camera control button is pressed.

Hello Lisa & Max,

To assist in the calculation I attach a copy of the Loan Deed.

This states that at Settlement the amount to be paid is equal to the Loan plus the “Frankston Settlement Amount” which is defined in the Loan Deed.

Thanks & Regards