Apple Warns Magnetic Accessories Can Interfere With iPhone Camera Sensors

Apple has cautioned that magnetic accessories designed for MagSafe, the attachment system introduced with the iPhone 12, may degrade the performance of the iPhone's rear-facing camera system. According to Engadget, magnets positioned too close to the camera can disrupt the gyroscope that feeds data to optical image stabilization (OIS), which reduces shake by moving lens elements or the image sensor. Closed-loop autofocus (AF) is also vulnerable: on-board accelerometers measure and compensate for gravity and vibration, while magnetic sensors determine lens position, and a nearby magnet can interfere with or temporarily disable those sensors. Apple advises users to avoid accessories that place magnetic fields near the rear cameras, noting that some third-party manufacturers produce strong magnets for folio covers and car mounts. The warning arrives as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max push smartphone photography further with a variable aperture and a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera. Apple's guidance states that for the best camera performance, accessories using magnets or magnetic metal near the iPhone rear cameras should be avoided. The report was published by PetaPixel on October 13, 2026, with a header photo licensed via Depositphotos; PetaPixel notes its articles may contain affiliate links.