Clean camera: iPhone will recognize touch fingers in future
In everyday life, it happens that one of the two to three rear camera sensors on Apple phones gets dirty. You will be warned about this in the future.
Here (relatively) clean: Cameras of an iPhone 15 Pro.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch)
iOS 26 has a useful new function up its sleeve for iPhone camera users: on certain models of the smartphone, you will be warned in the future if the system detects that the lens is (too) dirty. A corresponding switch, which appears to be active by default, can be found in the camera settings.
Where is the microfiber cloth?
Such a feature is not actually new: Android devices have been coming with such procedures for several years. The camera application “knows” what a clean lens looks like and compares this with the current image quality. If the difference is too great, there is a warning dialog, and you can reach for a camera-compatible microfiber cloth and/or cleaning alcohol.
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However, dirt detection is not available on all iPhones. It initially remained unclear whether standard devices are also supported or whether it always has to be a Pro and Pro Max model. It also depends on the generation: iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 reportedly support the function. However, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, which was available to the Mac & i editorial team, was not aware of it; the feature simply cannot be found in the settings dialog. If the “Lens Cleaning Hints” are annoying, for example, because you are out and about in a dusty environment, you can deactivate them at any time.
Completely new camera app
Apple has made significant changes to the camera app in iOS 26. At first glance, the interface appears clearer and more minimalist, as various menus are only visible when you swipe, tap certain elements, or press and hold an area. This is likely to confuse long-time iPhone users at first as the operating scheme changes—not necessarily in the direction of more logic. Apple is also using its new Liquid Glass UI, which works with transparent surfaces.
iOS 26 is expected in September. The iPhone 17 generation is due to be unveiled around September 9, and the new operating system will be available for users to download a week or two after the keynote. A public beta test is currently underway. However, Apple's work is apparently not yet finished, as there are still major changes to the interface from beta to beta.
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