Autofocus does not work after multiple camera replacements.

Question

iPhone SE 2020

Repair and disassembly information for the second-generation iPhone SE that was announced and released in April of 2020.

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Frank Ebert @scrubsss

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kho 22, 2022

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Autofocus does not work after multiple camera replacements.

So a bit of backstory.
I have a iPhone SE 2020.
One day the rear camera completely stopped working with only a black screen.
i then bought a used iPhone 8 camera, because an article from ifixit said the parts are interchangeable.
After i put the camera in, it worked but the autofocus didn't.

So i did a bit of trial an error and found out that if i close the camera app and tap very softly on the lens directly and then start the camera it works fine for a while.
But when the Phone sleeps for a bit or gets rebooted it most of the time doesn't work anymore.
Repeating the tapping fixes it again.

I then bought another iPhone 8 camera because i thought the other one has a defect. But the second camera has now the same issue.

I then took the camera form my dads iPhone 8 wich is known to work fine. But the same issue appeared.
When i test the cameras i bought on ebay in the iPhone from my dad, they work fine.

I am at a loss right now.
On ebay the cameras are mostly listed to be compatible with iphone 8 and se 2020.
Are they really or is it possible i have mainboard damage.

Any Idea?

I now bought a known SE2020 camera and it works.

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@scrubsss "On ebay the cameras are mostly listed to be compatible with iphone 8 and se 2020." not necessarily the greatest of all sources since they have a direct reason to say this. It may be compatible up to a point but maybe not 100%. Since you tested the cameras in the iPhone 8 and they worked properly there but not in your SE, I would try to find a proper camera. Then re-evaluate. If you still have those issues you know that this is on your phone and could be iOS or hardware related.

crwdns2934271:0Kho 22, 2022crwdnd2934271:0 oldturkey03 crwdne2934271:0

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@scrubsss "On ebay the cameras are mostly listed to be compatible with iphone 8 and se 2020." not necessarily the greatest of all sources since they have a direct reason to say this. It may be compatible up to a point but maybe not 100%. Since you tested the cameras in the iPhone 8 and they worked properly there but not in your SE, I would try to find a proper camera. Then re-evaluate. If you still have those issues you know that this is on your phone and could be iOS or hardware related. — oldturkey03

score 0 · Answer 1 · 2022-06-22T06:55:48-07:00

Mark D Schlossman @consistent

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kho 22, 2022

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Have you tried doing a factory reset sounds like an OS issue possibly

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Yes did this already.

crwdns2934271:0Kho 22, 2022crwdnd2934271:0 Frank Ebert crwdne2934271:0

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Chris @chris86517 crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 85 4 · Answer 2 · 2022-06-22T08:40:30-07:00

Chris @chris86517

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kho 22, 2022

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Its not an OS issue, its a camera firmware issue. Yes they are compatible for the most part however they are only truly compatible with the use of a programmer. what you need to do is program the new camera housing using the information from the old camera unit that originally came with the iPhone SE when you purchased it.

If you don't have the original part anymore then I would recommend contacting Apple and getting the part from them. They have started offering genuine replacements for certain parts like the front panel screen and cameras for multiple models.

It will be more expensive going that route however since you have already opened the device and replaced the camera before, apple will no longer honor your warranty, not even if you are currently paying a monthly fee every month for AppleCare+.

Hope's that helps

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I have the original camera but it its dead, doesn't even show serial number in 3u tools. The phone was out of warranty already. I did buy a true se 2020 camera now. Do i have to do the reprogramming also with the 2020 camera?

crwdns2934271:0Kho 22, 2022crwdnd2934271:0 Frank Ebert crwdne2934271:0

What about the camera for iPhone SE 2020? Did it work?

I'm going to replace my iPhone SE 2020 faulty camera and would like to know if buying a 2020 SE camera is ok.

Thanks

crwdns2934271:0Mha 4, 2022crwdnd2934271:0 Massimiliano Carra crwdne2934271:0

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Eli Shipley @techgeek2009 crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 95 3 1 · Answer 3 · 2022-06-22T18:32:46-07:00

Eli Shipley @techgeek2009

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kho 22, 2022

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It could also be a foggy lens, try taking the camera module out and wiping the inside camera windowpane down, also, make sure the camera is secure in the housing. On last thing, try cleaning and inspecting the board and flex cable connectors for defects

Hope this Helps :)

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Lens already cleaned. Checked connector also. All fine.

crwdns2934271:0Kho 23, 2022crwdnd2934271:0 Frank Ebert crwdne2934271:0

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score 0 · Answer 4 · 2022-06-22T23:31:57-07:00

Tom Chai @tomchai

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kho 22, 2022

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The issue must be inside of the camera, as the interface to the camera is all digital, there is no analog focus drive from the motherboard to the camera, digital image and focus sensor information gets sent to the motherboard, then the motherboard commands the camera lens to move digitally, the camera sensor then commands the lens drive motor using analog signals.

So if the image works, then it must be the software inside the motherboard or the camera sensor cannot communicate control messages properly, which suggests this is a firmware issue.

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