Apple urges users not to ride iPhones on a motorcycle because high-amplitude vibrations can degrade the smartphone’s camera system over time.
The tech giant shared the warning on Saturday in its support forum, claiming that iPhone camera lenses with optical image stabilization (OIS) or closed-loop autofocus (AF) are likely to be damaged. .
This is because gyroscopes and / or magnetic sensors help compensate for movement and vibration when taking pictures or videos.
James Chadbourne, an iOS user, discovered first hand how bad vibrations are for the iPhone.
Sharing a post on Twitter earlier this month, he wrote: “First trip on the bike and I think I toasted the camera on my iPhone. 8 miles. Shit design.
Apple urges users not to ride iPhones on a motorcycle because high-amplitude vibrations can degrade the smartphone’s camera system over time. Camera lenses with optical image stabilization (OIS) or closed-loop autofocus (AF) are susceptible to damage
Apple also owns lower-powered vehicles, such as mopeds and electric scooters, to use a vibration damping bracket that can minimize the chances of damage.
The issue affects several models, starting with the iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone 7 and later, along with the iPhone XS and later, including the iPhone SE 2.
“It is not recommended to connect the iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume motors due to the amplitude of the vibration at certain frequency ranges they generate,” Apple shared at the support forum.
“If you connect your iPhone to vehicles with electric or low-volume motors, such as mopeds and scooters, vibrations of comparatively lower amplitude may occur, but if you do, a vibration damping bracket is recommended to reduce the risk of damage to your iPhone and its OIS and AF systems.
James Chadbourne, an iOS user, discovered first hand how bad vibrations are for the iPhone. Sharing a post on Twitter earlier this month, he wrote: “First trip on the bike and I think I toasted the camera on my iPhone. 8 miles. Shabby design “
“It is also recommended to avoid regular use for extended periods to further reduce the risk of damage.”
The problem affects some iPhone models equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which automatically adjusts the focus on the camera in case of accidental motion to prevent blurry or unstable images.
‘If you accidentally move a camera when taking a photo, the resulting image may be blurred. To avoid this, some iPhone models have optical image stabilization (OIS), ”says the post shared by Apple.
‘OIS allows you to take sharp photos even if you move the camera accidentally. With OIS, a gyroscope senses that the camera is moving.
“To reduce image movement and the resulting blur, the lens moves according to the angle of the gyroscope.”
The issue affects several models, starting with the iPhone 6 Plus (pictured), the iPhone 6s Plus, and the iPhone 7 and later, along with the iPhone XS and later, including the iPhone SE 2.
It can also damage closed-loop autofocus technology, magnetic sensors that measure the effects of gravity and vibration and determine the position of the lens to preserve sharp focus on photos, videos and panoramas, Apple said.
As MacRumors noted, who first saw Apple’s new support message, there have been several posts about how motorcycle vibrations can damage camera systems.
The problem is that many users connect their iPhone to the handlebars or chassis of the motorcycle, which are directly affected by vibration as the two-wheeled vehicle is moving.