In recent months, numerous discussions have arisen on Reddit and Apple’s official support forum about a troubling issue affecting the iPhone 14 Plus. According to reports, users are encountering a black screen instead of a camera preview while using the app. Apple has acknowledged these concerns and is now offering a service program to assist affected users.
“Apple has identified that a small percentage of iPhone 14 Plus devices may not display a preview from the rear camera. These affected units were produced between April 10, 2023, and April 28, 2024,” the company explained.
Users of the iPhone 14 Plus experiencing these camera difficulties can now receive repairs at no cost. They can choose to visit an Apple Store or an authorized repair center, or opt for mail-in service.
The reported camera issues manifest in various ways. Some users noted that only the primary camera was nonfunctional, while others experienced a blank screen with both the main and ultra-wide sensors. In certain cases, even the front camera displayed no preview.
“It’s been like this for a few days now. The front camera is working fine, but the back camera just shows a black screen when activated,” one user shared on Reddit. Efforts such as performing a hard reset or updating the software provided no improvement.
“I reached out to the shop where I purchased my phone. They have an Apple partnership deal, so the phone was sent to Apple for repair at no charge to me,” reported another user in the same discussion.
“I just received my phone yesterday, set everything up, and discovered the front camera wasn’t operational — just a black screen,” noted another owner on Apple Discussions. Based on various user comments, it seems that Apple was exploring a software fix but was unable to deliver that solution in time.
“My front camera hasn’t functioned at all since I bought the phone. This issue affects both the camera app and other third-party applications,” one more user stated on the Apple Community forum.
Given Apple’s announcement, it appears that this is indeed a hardware issue that necessitates professional repair. If your device is experiencing similar problems, you can check if your iPhone 14 Plus is eligible for free repair by entering your serial number here.