iOS 18.2 Update Causes Camera and Flashlight Issues for Some iPhone Users
Users report black screen camera glitches and delayed flashlight activation after updating to iOS 18.2, particularly on iPhone 16 models.
Apple’s recent iOS 18.2 update has introduced a frustrating issue for some iPhone users, particularly those using the iPhone 16 series. Reports across social media platforms like Reddit and X indicate that the update has caused significant problems with both the camera and flashlight functionalities.
Users have reported instances where their camera fails to open properly, displaying a black screen instead. This issue affects the default Camera app and third-party applications like Snapchat. Some users find that reopening the app multiple times eventually resolves the issue, but the inconsistency has been a major source of frustration. Affected users also mention that the flashlight either does not activate at all or takes an unusually long time to turn on, especially when accessed through the Action Button or Control Center.
Many initially suspected that the problem was hardware-related, especially those who had recently purchased their devices. However, with a growing number of reports pointing to iOS 18.2 as the cause, it has become evident that this is a software issue. Some users who contacted Apple Support were advised to perform a factory reset, but in at least one reported case, this led to the phone becoming bricked due to an error during the reset process.
The bug appears to persist regardless of how users attempt to access the camera, whether through the Camera app icon, Control Center, or the lock screen shortcut. Additionally, Face ID has been affected for some users, particularly when attempting to unlock the device or use Apple Pay.
While not all devices seem to be impacted—some iPhone 14 Pro users report no issues—the problem has been widely observed among iPhone 16 owners. Apple has reportedly been testing iOS 18.2.1, which is expected to be a minor update with bug fixes. Though it has not been confirmed whether this update will address the camera and flashlight problems, many users are hopeful that a fix will be included. The update is anticipated to be released soon.