How can I get my iPhone 4 camera lens replaced?

mtnDewFTW · Feb 2, 2012, 09:13 PM

Hi everyone! I'm sorry in advance if this question has been beat to death already.

My iPhone 4 camera lens is VERY scratched. Even though the rest of the back is pretty much scratch free. Keep in mind that I don't use a case. At first, it didn't' really bother me, but the scratches just kept on happening, so now I can't even take a picture. It looks very blurry. I tried to see if replacing the backplate would also replace the lens, but it turns out that it doesn't.

Does anyone know of any way of getting this fixed? Or how much it costs? I want to take it to Apple and have them do it, rather than to it myself at home.

Thanks so much!

Mortalias · Feb 2, 2012, 10:10 PM

Same exact thing for me. I'm only posting in this thread in hope for an answer for both of us

TM WAZZA · Feb 2, 2012, 10:17 PM

It isn't the actual lens scratched, it's a part of the black plate. You'll need a new backplate. Apparently apple stores charge $29 to get it replaced.

mtnDewFTW · Feb 2, 2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TM WAZZA

It isn't the actual lens scratched, it's a part of the black plate. You'll need a new backplate. Apparently apple stores charge $29 to get it replaced.

Thanks for the reply! But are you sure? I called my local Apple store to ask if it was a part of the backplate or not, and the guy on the phone said that it wasn't. And when I asked how I could get the lens replaced, he said that I would just need to come down and talk to a genius myself.

TM WAZZA · Feb 2, 2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnDewFTW

Thanks for the reply! But are you sure? I called my local Apple store to ask if it was a part of the backplate or not, and the guy on the phone said that it wasn't. And when I asked how I could get the lens replaced, he said that I would just need to come down and talk to a genius myself.

Just did a quick search

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1271880

Nothlit · Feb 2, 2012, 10:52 PM

I had the back plate of my iPhone 4 replaced for exactly this reason a couple of months ago. I can confirm that the lens you are talking about is a part of the back plate and the whole plate is easily replaced in about 2 minutes. My photos are so much clearer now -- it's like night and day! I now make sure I don't slide my phone around too much on the desk. I just put it down and pick it straight up. So far, no new scratches have appeared.

I was expecting to pay $29, but the Genius did it for free after he couldn't find the billing entry for it on his store iPod touch. This was right after the 4S came out, and I suspect they might have quietly eliminated or changed the $29 replacement program with the advent of AppleCare+. Then again, maybe he just couldn't find the entry for some other reason. The only way you can find out for sure is to make an appointment and see what they say.

mtnDewFTW · Feb 2, 2012, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nothlit

I had the back plate of my iPhone 4 replaced for exactly this reason a couple of months ago. I can confirm that the lens you are talking about is a part of the back plate and the whole plate is easily replaced in about 2 minutes. My photos are so much clearer now -- it's like night and day! I now make sure I don't slide my phone around too much on the desk. I just put it down and pick it straight up. So far, no new scratches have appeared.

I was expecting to pay $29, but the Genius did it for free after he couldn't find the billing entry for it on his store iPod touch. This was right after the 4S came out, and I suspect they might have quietly eliminated or changed the $29 replacement program with the advent of AppleCare+. Then again, maybe he just couldn't find the entry for some other reason. The only way you can find out for sure is to make an appointment and see what they say.

Thank you so much! this was hugely helpful. I made an appointment at my local Apple store. I can't wait to get this problem fixed!

Black Dawg Down · Feb 2, 2012, 11:38 PM

I had this happened before so now I just stick a tiny piece of scotch tape on the camera.

Beats the inconvenience of replacing the back plate.

I don't take a lot of pictures though.

Feb 2, 2012, 09:13 PM	#1
mtnDewFTW macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California	How can I get my iPhone 4 camera lens replaced? Hi everyone! I'm sorry in advance if this question has been beat to death already. My iPhone 4 camera lens is VERY scratched. Even though the rest of the back is pretty much scratch free. Keep in mind that I don't use a case. At first, it didn't' really bother me, but the scratches just kept on happening, so now I can't even take a picture. It looks very blurry. I tried to see if replacing the backplate would also replace the lens, but it turns out that it doesn't. Does anyone know of any way of getting this fixed? Or how much it costs? I want to take it to Apple and have them do it, rather than to it myself at home. Thanks so much! __________________ "Everything is amazing and nobody's happy." iPhone 5/iMac 27"/iPad 3 AT&T
	-3

Feb 2, 2012, 10:10 PM	#2
Mortalias macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston, Mass	Same exact thing for me. I'm only posting in this thread in hope for an answer for both of us __________________ Proud iPhone 5, 13" Retina MacBook Pro, iPod Nano (6g), iPad 3, and AAPL stock owner. Apple Youtube channel
	-1

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Feb 2, 2012, 10:17 PM	#3
TM WAZZA macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand	It isn't the actual lens scratched, it's a part of the black plate. You'll need a new backplate. Apparently apple stores charge $29 to get it replaced.
	1

Feb 2, 2012, 10:52 PM	#6
Nothlit macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2009	I had the back plate of my iPhone 4 replaced for exactly this reason a couple of months ago. I can confirm that the lens you are talking about is a part of the back plate and the whole plate is easily replaced in about 2 minutes. My photos are so much clearer now -- it's like night and day! I now make sure I don't slide my phone around too much on the desk. I just put it down and pick it straight up. So far, no new scratches have appeared. I was expecting to pay $29, but the Genius did it for free after he couldn't find the billing entry for it on his store iPod touch. This was right after the 4S came out, and I suspect they might have quietly eliminated or changed the $29 replacement program with the advent of AppleCare+. Then again, maybe he just couldn't find the entry for some other reason. The only way you can find out for sure is to make an appointment and see what they say.
	1

Feb 2, 2012, 11:38 PM	#8
Black Dawg Down macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2011	I had this happened before so now I just stick a tiny piece of scotch tape on the camera. Beats the inconvenience of replacing the back plate. I don't take a lot of pictures though.
	0