New iPhone 17 Pro Max users report loud camera clicking noise

Fresh off launch day, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are facing an unexpected hiccup that’s catching owners off guard. Users across multiple platforms are reporting audible clicking and hissing sounds coming from their camera systems, particularly when launching the Camera app or using Face ID.

The issue first surfaced on MacRumors forums on September 19. User Jamesp96 kicked things off by noting their new iPhone 17 Pro made distinct clicking sounds not just when opening the camera, but also during Face ID authentication. Within hours, dozens of others chimed in with similar experiences.

What’s interesting is how the reports vary. Some users describe a single click when initially launching the camera, while others hear persistent hissing that actually gets picked up in video recordings. One user on the MacRumors thread, Mlrollin91, mentioned both their iPhone 17 Pro Max and their wife’s 17 Pro exhibited the problem, with the microphone catching the hissing during video capture.

Reddit user Environmental-Yam823 documented their experience and noted that the clicking occurs in third-party apps like Instagram and Snapchat too. They even shared multiple videos for reference:

Several commenters suggested the optical image stabilization system could be the culprit, as OIS relies on tiny motors and floating lens elements that physically move.

Here’s where things get murky. When Environmental-Yam823 spoke with Apple Support, they received mixed messages. Three separate calls yielded different answers: twice they were told it’s normal behavior, once they were told it’s not. An Apple representative eventually explained that the clicking could be related to the OIS system locking the sensor in place when the camera activates.

Not everyone is experiencing the problem, which complicates things further. Several users in the MacRumors thread reported their devices were completely silent. This inconsistency is making users wonder if it’s a manufacturing variance or a software bug.

The Face ID clicking is perhaps more concerning because it happens constantly throughout normal phone use. Reddit user parseval43 pointed out this is distinct from the rear camera sounds: “Now what it is also new and not normal is the click from the FRONT camera. It is clearly audible when using Face ID in any app in a silent environment.” Apple Discussions forums show similar reports, with users noting the Face ID click is especially noticeable in quiet settings like reading in bed at night.

This isn’t the first time iPhone cameras have generated controversy. Back with the iPhone 14 Pro, users reported clicking sounds in third-party apps like Instagram. The iPhone SE 2020 had reports of activation clicks not from speakers, hinting at hardware. Even older models like the iPhone 7 dealt with static or clicking in video recordings. And in regions like Japan, regulations mandate shutter sounds to prevent covert photography, though that’s a deliberate audio cue rather than a mechanical byproduct.

At the moment, the audible clicking sound from the rear camera could be pinned down to OIS, at least in most cases. But the clicking sound when using Face ID is indeed a puzzler. We’ll just have to wait for an official clarification from Apple before blaming hardware faults.

More reports for reference: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

We stand out from the tech-media crowd because we break news stories; we mainly bring you stuff that you won’t find anywhere in the mainstream tech media. Our stories have been picked up by some of the world’s most popular websites and media outlets—more info is available here.