By Anna Sherry

Updated on 2025-09-19

100 % Helpful

Fix iPhone 17 Camera Glitch: Blurry Photos & Black Boxes

By Anna Sherry

2025-09-19 / iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 and iPhone Air come with some of Apple’s most advanced camera technology yet—but even the latest devices aren’t immune to problems. From rare glitches that create black boxes and white squiggles to everyday blurry photos, users have noticed a range of camera issues.

In this article, we break down the causes of these problems and provide step-by-step solutions to get your iPhone 17 camera performing at its best.

Latest Update (September 19, 2025):

Apple has released a new build of iOS 26 (23A345) exclusively for the iPhone 17 Pro series. This update fixes the black box camera glitch reported by early reviewers.

If you’ve just received your iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, make sure to update immediately to avoid the issue. Other iPhone models are unaffected. Apple is also expected to roll out iOS 26.1 beta next week for wider testing.

Part 1: iPhone 17 Camera Glitch Overview

Part 2: Common iPhone 17 Camera Blurry Issues and How to Fix Them

1. Clean the Camera Lens
2. Save Your iPhone 17 Camera with iOS System Repair ToolHOT
3. Check Your Case or Lens Protector
4. Focus Properly
5. Update iOS [Official Method]
6. Reset Camera or System Settings
7. Hardware Check

Bonus Tips: How to Backup & Tranfer iPhone Data on iPhone 17/Air/Pro/Pro Max

Part 1: iPhone 17 Camera Glitch Overview

Apple’s latest devices, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air, come with impressive camera upgrades—but some early users have noticed unexpected photo issues.

In a recent review, Henry Casey at CNN Underscored noticed an unusual imaging problem during a concert. He described it as:

"I also noticed an odd imaging problem at this concert, where one out of every 10 or so photos taken on the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max have small blacked-out portions, including boxes and parts of white squiggles from the big LED board behind the band."

Apple confirmed that this issue can occur “in very rare cases when an LED light display is extremely bright and shining directly into the camera.”

Apple says it has identified a fix and plans to release it in an upcoming software update, though there’s no official release date yet.

This glitch seems to affect a small fraction of photos and is tied to extremely bright light sources, such as large LED boards at events. While it’s noticeable in certain scenarios, most users are unlikely to encounter it in everyday photography.

Part 2: Common iPhone 17 Camera Blurry Issues and How to Fix Them

Unlike the rare black box and squiggle glitch, blurry photos can happen in routine situations—such as indoor shots, low-light environments, or when capturing moving subjects. These issues are often caused by a mix of software glitches, misconfigured settings, environmental factors, or hardware problems.

The good news is that most of these problems can be fixed with a few simple steps, starting with software solutions before moving on to manual adjustments or hardware checks.

1. Clean the Camera Lens

Even tiny amounts of dust, fingerprints, or smudges on the lens can make photos appear blurry or hazy. This is especially common when the iPhone is carried in pockets or bags.

Fix:

Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens.
Avoid using tissues or rough fabrics that could scratch the glass.
For stubborn smudges, slightly dampen the cloth with water or a lens cleaner designed for cameras.

2. Save Your iPhone 17 Camera with iOS System Repair Tool

Some blurry photo issues on the iPhone 17 are caused not by hardware, but by iOS glitches or corruption. These software problems can affect the camera’s ability to focus, process images correctly, or handle new features, including night mode or HDR.

Before checking hardware or adjusting settings manually, it’s often best to start with a system-level repair. Fixing iOS glitches first can resolve many camera problems quickly and safely. One of the most reliable tools for this is Tenorshare ReiBoot.

Why ReiBoot helps:

Fixes iOS glitches safely: ReiBoot can repair system-level bugs that cause blurry photos, freezing, or camera malfunction.
No data loss: Using the Standard Repair mode, you can fix iOS issues without erasing apps, photos, or personal data.
Quick and easy: Even beginners can use ReiBoot with a simple, guided interface—no technical experience required.
Addresses hidden bugs: Some camera issues are not fixed by standard iOS updates; ReiBoot targets deeper system corruption.

How to use ReiBoot to fix iPhone 17 camera issues:

Download and install ReiBoot on your computer (Windows or Mac). Connect your iPhone 17 using a USB cable.
Launch ReiBoot and choose Standard Repair.
Follow the on-screen instructions to download the latest iOS firmware.
Click Start Standard Repair and wait for the process to complete. Once done, test your camera to see if blurry photos or glitches are resolved.

Many users report that after repairing iOS with ReiBoot, their iPhone 17 camera focuses faster, captures sharper images, and no longer shows occasional glitches. It’s often the first recommended step before checking hardware or adjusting other settings.

3. Check Your Case or Lens Protector

Certain cases or camera lens protectors can interfere with the camera’s ability to focus correctly or may reflect light in unintended ways, leading to blur or glare.

Fix:

Temporarily remove the case or lens protector and test the camera in the same conditions.
If the images are sharper, consider switching to a thinner case or a high-quality lens protector that is fully compatible with iPhone 17’s camera.

4. Focus Properly

Auto-focus may struggle in low light, crowded environments, or when subjects are moving quickly. If your images are blurry, it may simply be a focus issue.

Fix:

Tap directly on the subject in the Camera app to set focus.
Use AE/AF Lock for stationary subjects by pressing and holding on the focus point.

For moving subjects, use Burst Mode to capture multiple frames and select the sharpest photo.

5. Update iOS [Official Method]

Apple has confirmed that the black boxes and white squiggles glitch will be fixed in an upcoming software update. Installing the latest iOS version can also help resolve other minor camera bugs and improve overall performance. So, this is the recommended way to fix iPhone 17 camera issues.

Fix:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Download and install the latest iOS version once it becomes available to get the official fix for this camera glitch.

6. Reset Camera or System Settings

Sometimes, incorrect camera or system settings can lead to blurry photos or malfunctioning features. Resetting settings can restore normal camera behavior without erasing your personal data.

Fix:

Go to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings and reset individual options if needed.
For a broader reset, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

This will reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords, preferences, and camera settings while keeping your apps and data intact.

7. Hardware Check

If your photos remain blurry after trying the software solutions above, it may indicate a hardware problem with the camera module. Physical damage or manufacturing defects can cause persistent blur.

Fix:

Inspect the camera lens for scratches or cracks.
Contact Apple Support or schedule a Genius Bar appointment for a professional inspection.

Bonus Tips: How to Backup & Tranfer iPhone Data on iPhone 17/Air/Pro/Pro Max

Changing to a new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, or iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max is exciting—but you don’t want to lose your photos, apps, or settings. If you’ve experienced issues like the iPhone 17 camera glitch or other unexpected iOS bugs, using Tenorshare iCareFone makes it easy to safely back up and transfer all your important data.

Why we choose iCareFone to backup & transfer:

Reliable and secure: Ensures all your photos, messages, apps, and settings are safely stored before moving to a new device.
Easy to use: Even beginners can complete the backup and restore process in a few clicks.
Flexible restore options: You can selectively restore specific data from your computer to your new iPhone, keeping things organized and efficient.
Peace of mind: Prevents accidental data loss during upgrades or after fixing software issues like the iPhone 17 camera glitch.

With iCareFone, migrating your data to a new iPhone 17 or iPhone Air is simple, safe, and efficient—so you can enjoy your device without worrying about losing any important content.

Watch the video guide to see how to use Tenorshare iCareFone to backup & transfer on iPhone 17 Air/Pro/Pro Max.

Conclusion

The iPhone 17 camera glitch is rare, but blurry photos can happen in everyday use. Most issues can be fixed by simple steps, updating iOS, or repairing the system with Tenorshare ReiBoot. When moving to a new device, Tenorshare iCareFone ensures your data is safely transferred, making the upgrade smooth and worry-free.

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Tenorshare ReiBoot - Fix iOS Issues

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