How to Enable Lens Cleaning Hints on iPhone Camera

One of the most common reasons for a blurry or hazy photo has a simple cause: a smudged camera lens. With the large camera systems on modern iPhones, it’s easy for fingerprints and dust to collect. iOS 26 introduces Lens Cleaning Hints, a smart feature that alerts you directly in the Camera app when your rear lens needs a wipe.

Think of it as a helpful, proactive reminder that prevents you from taking a dozen photos only to realize later that they’re all slightly out of focus due to a dirty lens. Learning how to enable Lens Cleaning Hints is a quick step that can significantly improve the quality of your pictures.

How to Turn On Lens Cleaning Hints

This feature is available on iPhone 15 models and newer running iOS 26. It uses on‑device AI to analyze the image from the camera, so it requires the advanced hardware in recent devices.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down the main settings list and tap Camera.
3. Near the bottom of the Camera settings menu, find the toggle labeled Lens Cleaning Hints.
4. Tap the toggle to turn the feature on. The switch will turn green.

While you’re in Settings, you might also explore the new Camera Mode Wheel to get more shooting options.

Once enabled, your iPhone will monitor the lens clarity whenever you open the Camera app. If it detects smudges or dirt significant enough to affect photo quality, a small, discreet notification will appear on the screen, suggesting you clean the lens. The detection relies on the same on‑device AI that powers the Visual Intelligence feature.

What to Expect After Enabling Hints

The Lens Cleaning Hints feature is designed to be helpful, not intrusive. It works quietly in the background and will only alert you when necessary.

• The Notification: If a smudge is detected, you will see a small banner in the Camera app that might say “Clean Back Camera.” You can tap the notification to dismiss it after wiping your lens.
• Rear Camera Only: This feature is focused on the main rear camera system, which is most prone to smudging.
• Intelligent Detection: The system is smart enough to differentiate between a dirty lens and a foggy or low‑light environment, so you won’t get false alarms.

Because the hint runs continuously, you may want to enable the adaptive power feature to keep battery impact low.

If the hints never appear, you might need to fix Apple Intelligence, which powers the AI analysis behind the feature.

Tips for Cleaning Your iPhone Lens

When the notification appears, it’s important to clean the lens correctly to avoid scratches.

• Use a microfiber cloth: The best tool for cleaning your camera lens is a soft, lint‑free microfiber cloth, like the one you’d use for eyeglasses.
• Avoid abrasive materials: Never use paper towels, tissues, or rough fabrics, as they can leave tiny scratches on the lens coating over time.
• No harsh chemicals: Do not spray cleaning solutions directly onto the camera. If needed, you can lightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with a small amount of water or an approved electronics cleaning solution.