Many iPhone 13 users complained their devices failed to focus properly. The camera won’t focus when it’s around 2-3.5 inches (5-8 cm) away from the in-focus object which makes it impossible to take close-up shots. The good news is that the iPhone 13 Pro models don’t seem to be affected by this problem.
Go to Photo mode and select 0.5x instead of the default 1x. Check if you can capture close-up shots with your iPhone 13. Sometimes, you need to manually adjust the settings to take clear close-up photos. Try zooming in on the subject, and then moving the phone away a bit.
Move Your iPhone Away From the In-Focus Object
If you want to take sharp close-ups with your iPhone 13, you need to move the device away from the in-focus object. Move your iPhone 13 at least 4 inches (10 cm) away to get the camera to focus properly.
The fact that an iPhone 13 or 13 Mini cannot focus as closely as 2 inches (5-6 cm) from a subject is not a defect. These models are not designed to focus that close. Rest assured, your camera isn’t faulty, it simply doesn’t support the Macro Photo capability of the Pro models.
This is not a software glitch that Apple can fix with the next update. The iPhone 13 camera simply is not capable of focusing as close as you think it should.
The handy Macro Mode of iOS is available only on the Pro models. This option lets you take extreme close-ups of things you can barely see with the naked eye. The iPhone 13 Pro models can take sharp close-ups even from 0.8-inches (2 cm) away. Thanks to the Macro Mode, the 13 Pro models can capture in-focus photos much closer than iPhone 13.
To take clear photos of an object that’s closer than the minimum focusing distance of the main lens, the iPhone 13 Pro models automatically switch to the ultra-wide lens. That’s one of the reasons iPhones have three cameras. By the way, with iOS 15.1, you can disable this feature by going to Settings → Camera → Auto Macro.
Upgrade to a Pro Model
Well, if you really want to be able to take super-sharp macro shots, upgrade to an iPhone 13 Pro. The bad news is that the Pro models are facing serious shortages. Sometimes, you may need to wait for up to 30 days to get your hands on one. It’s been 21 days since I placed an order for an iPhone 13 Pro Max and still waiting to get my new toy. I just hope its delivery is not delayed beyond Christmas.
Install Halide
If getting an iPhone 13 Pro model is not an option for you, you can download and install the amazing Halide app. Open the App Store, search for Halide, and hit the Install button.
Halide is one of the coolest apps on the App Store today. It lets you turn any iPhone into a professional photography device. Halide supports Macro Mode which will help you solve all your iPhone 13 up-close focus issues. The app also packs a plethora of features and controls that are usually available on really expensive DSLR cameras.
Conclusion
If Your iPhone 13 won’t focus up close, go to Photo mode and select 0.5x. Then move the device away from the in-focus object. To get the camera to focus properly, move the phone at least about 4 inches (10 cm) away from the in-focus object. If you want to take sharp macro pictures without any headaches, upgrade to an iPhone 13 Pro model or install the Halide app.
Have you ever experienced up-close focus issues on your iPhone 13? Did you find other ways to solve this problem? Let us know in the comments below.
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.
Held off updating my SE for a long time, with friends telling me about all the whizz-bang features I was missing. Now with a 13mini I am finding disappointment after disappointment, and close-up photography is another one. Haven’t been able to scan a QR code yet, as the camera won’t focus unless the code is a metre away so it could only work with billboards. Now keeping the SE as a camera to overcome the 13’s deficiencies.
And for Apple to say the issue isn’t software, that’s straight-out BS. If Halide’s app can fix the problem then it’s obviously Apple’s software (iOS) limiting the functionality.
In one hand the article says “This is not a software glitch that Apple can fix with the next update. The iPhone 13 camera simply is not capable of focusing as close as you think it should.” But on the other hand it says “Halide supports Macro Mode which will help you solve all your iPhone 13 up-close focus issues”.
So it IS a software issue, since iPhone 13 mini is virtually capable of doing macros, but Apple is not eager to implement the software update in order to push their customers into upgrading their devices to their Pro products.
Thanks Apple.
“The fact that an iPhone 13 or 13 Mini cannot focus as closely as 2 inches (5-6 cm) from a subject is not a defect. These models are not designed to focus that close. Rest assured, your camera isn’t faulty, it simply doesn’t support the Macro Photo capability of the Pro models.
This is not a software glitch that Apple can fix with the next update. The iPhone 13 camera simply is not capable of focusing as close as you think it should.”
BUT ALSO:
“Halide is one of the coolest apps on the App Store today. It lets you turn any iPhone into a professional photography device. Halide supports Macro Mode which will help you solve all your iPhone 13 up-close focus issues.”
So, Apple ‘can’t’ (read: won’t) fix this issue because the camera isn’t capable of doing what we want, but buying a third party app will solve the problem of a camera that isn’t capable of close up photography? How does that make sense?
Serious problem for scanning barcodes, as in the Walmart Scan n Go app. I either switch back and forth to the camera to change to 0.5x every scan, or hold the phone over my head and try to scan and item on the floor.
Not the Apple I used to know.
I have an iPhone 13 iOS 15.5 & like other commenters I cannot get iPhone 13 camera to take clear shots within the range suggested in the article. My older iPhones (4 and 7) meanwhile took amazing macro shots. Really disappointed. Will look into Halide app, but it irritates me that I’d need to get an app to do what older model phones did sans apps.
Serious failure with the macro capability of the iPhone 13. Not even compared to iPhone 13 Pro, but to old models like XR or 11. The 13 camera can’t even focus on printed docs like checks for bank deposits. Super frustrated. I feel that Apple screwed 13 users into having to upgrade to the 13 Pro.
Held off updating my SE for a long time, with friends telling me about all the whizz-bang features I was missing. Now with a 13mini I am finding disappointment after disappointment, and close-up photography is another one. Haven’t been able to scan a QR code yet, as the camera won’t focus unless the code is a metre away so it could only work with billboards. Now keeping the SE as a camera to overcome the 13’s deficiencies.
And for Apple to say the issue isn’t software, that’s straight-out BS. If Halide’s app can fix the problem then it’s obviously Apple’s software (iOS) limiting the functionality.
In one hand the article says “This is not a software glitch that Apple can fix with the next update. The iPhone 13 camera simply is not capable of focusing as close as you think it should.” But on the other hand it says “Halide supports Macro Mode which will help you solve all your iPhone 13 up-close focus issues”.
So it IS a software issue, since iPhone 13 mini is virtually capable of doing macros, but Apple is not eager to implement the software update in order to push their customers into upgrading their devices to their Pro products.
Thanks Apple.
So, to recap:
“The fact that an iPhone 13 or 13 Mini cannot focus as closely as 2 inches (5-6 cm) from a subject is not a defect. These models are not designed to focus that close. Rest assured, your camera isn’t faulty, it simply doesn’t support the Macro Photo capability of the Pro models.
This is not a software glitch that Apple can fix with the next update. The iPhone 13 camera simply is not capable of focusing as close as you think it should.”
BUT ALSO:
“Halide is one of the coolest apps on the App Store today. It lets you turn any iPhone into a professional photography device. Halide supports Macro Mode which will help you solve all your iPhone 13 up-close focus issues.”
So, Apple ‘can’t’ (read: won’t) fix this issue because the camera isn’t capable of doing what we want, but buying a third party app will solve the problem of a camera that isn’t capable of close up photography? How does that make sense?
I had an iPhone 10 that took excellent pics and focused up close! Apple touted that the 13 had an even better camera. Not so! The 13 camera SUCKS!
Serious problem for scanning barcodes, as in the Walmart Scan n Go app. I either switch back and forth to the camera to change to 0.5x every scan, or hold the phone over my head and try to scan and item on the floor.
Not the Apple I used to know.
I have an iPhone 13 iOS 15.5 & like other commenters I cannot get iPhone 13 camera to take clear shots within the range suggested in the article. My older iPhones (4 and 7) meanwhile took amazing macro shots. Really disappointed. Will look into Halide app, but it irritates me that I’d need to get an app to do what older model phones did sans apps.
Serious failure with the macro capability of the iPhone 13. Not even compared to iPhone 13 Pro, but to old models like XR or 11. The 13 camera can’t even focus on printed docs like checks for bank deposits. Super frustrated. I feel that Apple screwed 13 users into having to upgrade to the 13 Pro.
My problem isn’t about macro thing i just can’t take a clear photo from 50 cm to any closer plz help
Yes my 13 sucks at focusing. My fix get my 8+ which can focus at 2” and takes much better photos in all. Ugh