How do I fix a used iPhone camera that does not respond when I double-tap?
Answer
A used iPhone that ignores Camera taps often needs a restart and Camera permission check first. If the device still asks for another person’s Apple ID, Activation Lock or account ownership must be cleared before apps will work normally.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Do not factory-reset a used iPhone that still shows Activation Lock for another Apple ID, or you may be unable to set it up again.
Follow these steps
Force-restart the iPhone
Force-restart using the button sequence for your model, wait about 30 seconds for the Apple logo, then unlock and open Camera again.
You should see: The phone finishes restarting and Camera responds to the shutter or double-tap again.
Check Camera access in Settings
Open Settings, then Privacy & Security (or Privacy), then Camera, and make sure Camera access is allowed for the Camera app and any photo app you are using.
You should see: Camera permission is on and the shutter responds when you tap it.
Confirm Apple ID ownership
Open Settings and tap the name at the top. If it asks for an Apple ID you do not own, stop and contact the seller to remove the device from their account at iCloud.com before continuing setup.
You should see: You can use Settings with an Apple ID you control, or you know the phone still needs to be released by the previous owner.
Update or reinstall Camera if taps still fail
If Camera still ignores taps but the phone is fully yours, check for an iOS update under Settings > General > Software Update, then try taking a photo again after the update finishes.
You should see: The Camera shutter works, or you have a clear next error message to take to Apple Support.
Not sure this is the right page? Check here
0 of 5 checked
Extra tips
What to look for: Whether double-tap or shutter taps are ignored in Camera, and whether Settings or the lock screen asks for an Apple ID or password you do not own.
Before you change anything: Confirm whether this used phone was erased and removed from the previous owner’s Apple ID. Do not enter someone else’s password if you are not the account owner. Avoid factory reset until you know Activation Lock is off, or you may be locked out permanently. Never share your Apple ID password or one-time codes with unexpected callers.