Camera test: check front and rear cameras live
Blurry photos, spots, or a black image? The live view shows you directly whether your cameras deliver a clean picture – front and back.
The test
Start the test, allow camera access and inspect the live image: pan across bright surfaces (spots?), focus near and far, then switch to the second camera.
Your result for this test:
What to look for
- Spots that move with your panning: they're on the lens or inside the module. Cleaning helps with fingerprints; dust behind the protective glass stays and flares in backlight.
- Milky, low-contrast image: scratched or fogged lens glass; after water contact, moisture inside the module often shows as droplets or streaks from within.
- Image stays blurry: rhythmic "focus hunting" or audible clicking means the autofocus drive is struggling – a typical drop injury.
- Black image on one camera: if the other camera works, the affected module or its cable is the suspect.
- Green/purple stripes or heavy noise: points to a sensor or connector fault.
Browser test vs. camera app
This test shows one camera's raw live image and answers the basic question: does the module deliver a clean picture? Your camera app additionally uses image enhancement and all lenses (ultra-wide, telephoto). So complement this test in the camera app: cycle through every zoom level to see whether just one of several lenses is affected. If the camera app crashes while this browser test works, the problem is more likely software than hardware.
Repair perspective
Camera modules are individually replaceable on many models; cost depends heavily on the device – multi-camera systems of current flagships cost far more than simple modules. Don't wait with moisture inside the module: corrosion spreads. And check the trivial cause first: a new screen protector or case edging slightly over the front camera is a surprisingly common reason for "suddenly" blurry selfies.
Frequently asked questions
The browser only shows the front camera – why?
Some browsers expose only a default camera to websites. Use the switch button in the test; if that fails, check the rear camera directly in your phone's camera app.
Why does the test image look worse than my photos?
The live view here is a raw feed without your camera app's enhancement, often at lower resolution. Judge spots, focus and artifacts – not general image quality.
After a drop my image shakes constantly – what's that?
Probably damaged optical image stabilization (OIS): the lens is suspended on a movable mount that's sensitive to drops. Visible constant jitter in the live view is the classic sign.