[DigitalToday reporter Choi Jae-won (최재원)] A warning has emerged that iPhone accessories with strong magnetic force can interfere with camera stabilisation and autofocus functions, lowering photo quality.

On Oct. 11 local time, IT outlet Engadget reported that Apple said in an official support document that some magnetic accessories can cause magnetic interference with an iPhone’s rear camera. Apple said placing strong magnets or a magnetised metal plate near the camera can make photos blurry. The guidance has been available since 2024 and does not mean a new defect occurring only in the iPhone 18 series.

Apple in September introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera that supports a variable aperture. It strengthened low-light shooting and manual controls, but even high-performance cameras cannot completely avoid the effects of external magnetic fields.

Accessories that could pose problems include detachable magnetic cases, cover-style cases and car mounts. Detachable grips, power banks and lighting products also require caution if a magnet is positioned close to the camera.

The iPhone’s optical image stabilisation (OIS) detects motion with a gyroscope and moves the lens to reduce shake. Closed-loop autofocus (AF) detects gravity and vibration with an accelerometer to correct for them, and uses a magnetic sensor to determine lens position.

Strong magnetic fields can reduce the accuracy of this lens position sensor or temporarily interfere with its operation. As a result, the lens’ range of movement can be limited and OIS and AF can become less effective. Shooting can still continue in other ways, and magnets do not necessarily cause permanent camera damage. It also does not mean all magnetic accessories are a problem. The key is the strength of the magnetic field and how close it is to the camera sensor.

Strong vibrations generated by high-output motorcycle engines are another risk factor. Long exposure to vibrations at certain frequencies can degrade the performance of the camera correction system. Apple recommended keeping magnetic accessories away from the area around the camera and following official inspection procedures if problems persist after removing them.