If you’ve recently upgraded to an iPhone 14 or 14 Pro and noticed blurry photos from the front-facing camera when using Snapchat, you’re not alone. Many users have reported this issue since the iPhone 14 lineup launched in September 2022.
What’s Causing the Blurry Snapchat Camera on iPhone 14?
The blurry front camera in Snapchat on iPhone 14 models appears to be an issue with app optimization. Snapchat hasn’t yet updated their app to fully support the new front-facing camera hardware on the latest iPhones.
The iPhone 14 and 14 Pro feature an upgraded 12MP TrueDepth front camera with an f/1.9 aperture and autofocus. However, Snapchat’s camera is still calibrated for the fixed-focus front camera on older iPhones. This results in blurry, out-of-focus selfies and videos.
You may also notice the viewfinder preview is blurry before you take a Snap. This suggests the lack of camera optimization is to blame, not just poor image processing after capturing footage.
When Will Snapchat Fix the iPhone 14 Camera Issue?
Snapchat has acknowledged they are aware of the problem and are working on an update to properly support the iPhone 14 front cameras. However, the company has not provided specifics on when the fix will be rolled out.
Considering how widely reported this issue is, we expect Snapchat will prioritize updating their app soon. There is significant pressure from users requesting a fix.
Some reports indicate Snapchat engineers are targetting late October 2022 for the update. However, nothing official has been announced yet.
Does This Affect All Apps on iPhone 14?
No, the blurry camera problem only seems to affect Snapchat as of now. The iPhone 14 front camera works normally in other apps that access the camera, like Instagram, TikTok, and Apple’s own Camera app.
This suggests the blur is not a hardware defect with the iPhone 14 cameras themselves. It’s an issue with how Snapchat’s app interfaces with the camera on the new models.
Workarounds Until Snapchat Releases an Update
While we wait for Snapchat to fix the issue in a future update, there are some temporary workarounds you can try to improve image quality:
- Use the rear camera instead and flip the image. This results in much clearer photos and videos.
- Open Snapchat’s lens carousel and select a lens. The dedicated lenses seem to use different camera processing that avoids the blur.
- Use the Snapchat web app in Safari or another browser. Some testing indicates the web version does not have the same extreme blur.
- Take the shot in the standard Camera app, then save and upload it to Snapchat Memories. You won’t be able to preview the blur before capturing, but the photo will turn out clear.
- Install the iOS 16.1 beta. A few users running the beta report it resolves the iPhone 14 blur on Snapchat.
Will Resetting the Camera Improve Snapchat Image Quality?
Some iPhone 14 owners have tried resetting the Camera app in hopes it will fix Snapchat’s camera. Unfortunately, this does not resolve the issue.
Resetting the Camera app only restores its own settings and data. It does not have any effect on third-party apps like Snapchat that access the camera.
Since the blur is caused by incompatible app software rather than the Camera itself, resetting it makes no difference to Snapchat’s image quality right now.
Does Updating iOS Fix the Blurry Snapchat Camera?
Apple has released iOS 16.0.2 and iOS 16.0.3 since the iPhone 14 launch, but neither update addresses the Snapchat camera problem.
The blurry front camera issue is not related to iOS 16 itself. It’s caused by lack of optimization in the Snapchat app.
Updating your iPhone 14 to the latest iOS version is still recommended for security fixes and enhancements. But don’t expect it to resolve the Snapchat camera blur.
iOS 16.1 beta testers report the blur is fixed in that prerelease version. So updating to iOS 16.1 once publicly released could potentially address it.
Should I Take My iPhone 14 to Apple for Repair?
Because this issue is isolated to Snapchat, there is no need to take your iPhone 14 unit in for repair. The blurry camera is not indicative of a hardware defect or flaw with the iPhone 14 itself.
Apple will likely run diagnostics and confirm the front camera is functioning normally. There’s nothing they can do to fix the root cause, since it’s on Snapchat’s end to release an app update.
You’re better off waiting for the official fix from Snapchat rather than wasting time on a trip to the Genius Bar.
Am I Better Off Downgrading to an Older iPhone?
Some brand new iPhone 14 owners are so frustrated with the blurry Snapchat camera they are considering downgrading to an older model like the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max.
However, this is not recommended, for a few reasons:
- The blurry camera issue is temporary, and Snapchat is working on a fix.
- The iPhone 14 has a variety of upgrades over past models in display, battery life, performance, durability, and other areas.
- Trading a new phone for an older one means losing money reselling and repurchasing.
- Older iPhones will have shorter software support lifespans in terms of future iOS updates.
While the blurry Snapchat camera on iPhone 14 is annoying, downgrading to an older iPhone is not the best response. Have patience and wait for Snapchat to release the optimization update.
Will Deleting and Reinstalling Snapchat Fix It?
Deleting and reinstalling the Snapchat app does not resolve the blurry camera feed on iPhone 14 models. Users who have tried this workaround still experience blurry photos after reinstalling Snapchat.
The blur is not caused by corrupt app files, but rather a lack of proper camera calibration. Resetting Snapchat does not change this issue.
You will need to wait until Snapchat releases an update with specific iPhone 14 camera optimizations. Reinstalling the current version of Snapchat will have no benefit.
Does Using a Third-Party Snapchat App Help?
Some unofficial third-party “hacked” versions of Snapchat for iOS exist that promise better functionality. However, we strongly advise against installing one of these unauthorized apps.
Third-party Snapchat apps are not approved by Snapchat and often violate the platform’s terms of service. There are serious security and privacy risks associated with sideloading unauthorized apps from unknown developers.
Additionally, the camera issue is unlikely to be resolved by using a third-party build of Snapchat. The problem exists at an API level, not just within Snapchat’s official app.
For your privacy and safety, stick with the official version of Snapchat from the App Store.
Summary
To summarize the main takeaways:
- Blurry front camera photos in Snapchat on iPhone 14 models is caused by lack of app optimization for the new camera hardware.
- Snapchat is working on an update to fix the issue, targeted for release soon.
- Workarounds include using the rear camera, selecting certain lenses, or taking photos in the native Camera app.
- The problem is isolated to Snapchat and does not require taking your iPhone 14 in for service.
- Downgrading to an older iPhone or reinstalling Snapchat will not resolve the issue.
Hopefully Snapchat will release the optimization update soon. In the meantime, using the suggested workarounds can help improve your Snapchat photo and video quality when using the front iPhone 14 camera.
| iPhone 14 Model | Snapchat Camera Issue? |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Plus | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Pro | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | Yes |
This table shows the Snapchat front camera blur affects all models in the iPhone 14 lineup.
Conclusion
The blurred front-facing Snapchat camera is frustrating iPhone 14 owners relying on the app for messaging friends and family. With Snapchat being one of the most popular social media apps, there is significant demand for a fix.
Check the Snapchat app update page regularly to see if they’ve released an optimized version that resolves the issue. Some patience may be required as the company works through updating the camera integration.
Using the suggested workarounds can deliver clearer photos and videos in the meantime. But for the best Snapchat experience on iPhone 14, we’ll have to wait on official software updates from Snapchat and potentially iOS 16.1.