Whether you’re about to join a video call, checking a used iPhone, or diagnosing a Mac webcam, this camera test shows you a live preview the instant you grant access. If you see yourself, the camera works. You can switch between front and back cameras, read the active resolution, and take a snapshot to inspect image quality.
It’s completely private: the video stream stays in your browser, nothing is recorded, and no image is uploaded. Any snapshot you take is saved only if you choose to download it. It’s the quickest way to confirm a working camera and check for smudges, focus problems or a cracked lens.
How to use it
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1Start the test
Tap “Start camera test” and allow camera access when prompted. The live preview appears straight away.
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2Check the image
Look for a clear, focused, correctly-coloured picture. Blurriness, spots or dark patches point to a dirty or damaged lens.
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3Switch cameras
On phones and tablets, tap “Switch camera” to check both the front and rear cameras. Each should give a clean preview.
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4Take a snapshot
Capture a still to inspect detail closely, and download it if you want to keep it. Nothing is saved automatically.
Why This Test Exists
Isolating hardware from software is the whole point. On a device running pre-release software, every fault gets blamed on the beta, and most of the time that is wrong. A test that exercises the hardware directly turns "something is broken" into something specific enough to act on.
Getting a Reliable Result
Run the test twice — once as the device is now, once after a restart. A fault that survives both is worth investigating; one that clears is almost always software.
Reading the Outcome
If the result points at software rather than hardware, our beta troubleshooting guides cover what to do next.
Nothing Leaves Your Device
This tool runs entirely in your browser. There is no upload step, no account, no cookie set for it and no record kept of anything you test — which is a consequence of how it is built rather than a policy you have to trust. It also means it works on any device, on any operating system version, whether or not you are running a beta.
If a test here points at software rather than hardware, that is useful in itself: it means the next step is a beta build or a setting rather than a repair. Our troubleshooting guides cover the common ones, and your device's page sets out what to expect from your specific model on the current release.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my iPhone or Mac camera?
Open this page, tap “Start camera test”, and allow camera access. A live preview confirms the camera works. On iPhone and iPad, use “Switch camera” to check both front and rear. On Mac, this verifies the built-in FaceTime camera or any connected webcam.
Is the video recorded or uploaded?
No. The preview is shown live and never recorded or uploaded. A snapshot is only saved if you deliberately download it — everything else stays in your browser and disappears when you close the tab.
The camera preview is black — what should I do?
Make sure you granted camera permission and that no other app is using the camera. Check for a lens cover or case blocking it, and on Mac confirm camera access is allowed in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera.
Can I use this to test a used iPhone before buying?
Yes. Switch between the front and rear cameras, take a snapshot with each, and zoom in to check for cracks, dust behind the lens, focus issues or discoloured images — common faults on used and repaired phones.