Daily Tech Tip 21: Soft or hazy photos often come from fingerprints on the external camera glass. Gentle cleaning is a useful first check before changing settings or booking a repair.
Why this matters
Camera glass has coatings that can be damaged by abrasive cloths and harsh chemicals. Internal dust, cracked lens covers and focus faults will not improve with exterior cleaning.
Safe steps to try
- Remove the case if it overlaps the camera area.
- Use a clean dry microfibre cloth in gentle circular movements.
- For stubborn marks, slightly dampen the cloth rather than the phone.
- Test each camera in bright light and compare focus at different distances.
- Check whether the problem affects photos, video and all lenses.
What to avoid
- Do not use paper towels, abrasive wipes or sharp tools.
- Do not pour cleaning liquid directly onto the camera area.
- Do not polish cracked glass because loose fragments can spread.
When to stop and get help
Condensation inside the lens, rattling focus, black spots that remain in the same place or cracked camera glass requires inspection.
Clean the outside first, then compare every camera. Persistent blur may be lens-cover, sensor, stabilisation or board related.
For model-specific advice, see our phone camera repair in Bristol.
This general maintenance guidance cannot diagnose an individual device. Stop using equipment that is swollen, smoking, burning, severely overheated or electrically unsafe.