Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Removing iPhone 5 cameras

pooleman

pooleman

Suspended
Original poster
Jan 11, 2012
1,769
425
Eastern CT
Hello all,

I just accepted a new position at a defense plant that doesn't allow any camera phones into the facility. Has anyone had to remove the cameras from an iPhone before? Is there a software solution that effectively removes camera capability?
 
Yes, go into Settings, General, Restrictions. Flip off Camera and the Camera will be disabled.
 
It's almost had to find a smart phone without a camera now a days. I get the security but this will be harder and harder unless they just ban cell phones.
 
On occasion I work in areas like that. For me there is no solution. It has to be a phone built without a camera or no phone at all.
 
If this is as serious as it sounds, THEY ARE NOT going to slowly inspect your phone to go by your assertion that the camera is been removed.

Everybody think whatever makes sense, they will accommodate you. NO. Security doesn't have time to deal with every little exception you may think of. The guard will go by the book, no cellphones and that's that. :rolleyes:
 
You gave to get a different phone, or no phone at all, unless exceptions are made.
 
pooleman said:
I understand that but it's not secure. I could just turn it back on once I'm in the facility.
Click to expand...

There are software ways to do it via exchange profiles and that sort of thing but they are all or nothing. No way to set it to only trigger when you are at work. At least that I know of
 
You said NO camera phones are allowed in the facility, I don't think just turning it off is enough.
 
I've read that companies are able to disable certain features of a phone via software. I assume this is through enterprise settings , or some such? I would ask your IT supervisor. If they allow you to bring your own devices in at all, I am certain they would have an answer for you. Smartphones are very common and they all come with cameras. Hell, it's tough to find even a dumb
Phone without one.
 
Last edited:
Do you need your cellphone at work in a defense plant? Probably not. Leave it at home or in your locked car.
 
darster said:
Do you need your cellphone at work in a defense plant? Probably not. Leave it at home or in your locked car.
Click to expand...

I can see wanting it for security reasons. Also, immediate family may need to contact the individual. In short, this response did nothing to answer the question. Do you really think the OP couldn't come up with this answer on his own?
 
lordofthereef said:
I can see wanting it for security reasons. Also, immediate family may need to contact the individual. In short, this response did nothing to answer the question. Do you really think the OP couldn't come up with this answer on his own?
Click to expand...

How did people function 5 years ago without smartphones? They were able to work. People were able to contact them. You do know they do have landlines at these plants. If someone needs to get a hold of you, they can. I have worked at places where cameras on phones were not allowed. After a few days without having it on you, you don't even miss it.
 
At this point I pretty much live on my iPhone. My wife has no cell at all but she sends me iMessages from her iPad. Yes i can live without my phone at work, I just like having it on me. I found a company that will remove your phones camera for $19. When i start on June 3rd I will ask security specifically what i have to do to be allowed to bring in my iPhone.
 
I've experience of two major auto manufacturers that do not allow cameras on-site. The first requires employees wishing to carry cellphones or laptops with webcams to have a non-removable sticker placed over the camera. The second uses a chemical dripped onto the lens. Neither solution is reversible.
 
darster said:
How did people function 5 years ago without smartphones? They were able to work. People were able to contact them. You do know they do have landlines at these plants. If someone needs to get a hold of you, they can. I have worked at places where cameras on phones were not allowed. After a few days without having it on you, you don't even miss it.
Click to expand...

Certainly, people were able to function before smartphones. We were able to function a few decades ago without airbags in cars (and people still do), but when you have the CHOICE, most generally choose not to. The OP here has a choice, I am almost sure of it (again, assuming his company uses the appropriate software). Telling him to leave the phone at home is unnecessary and unhelpful; I am sure he doesn't need you to tell him that's an option.

Also, depending on where exactly he works, a mobile phone could be a lifeline as well. Sometimes you can't rely on a landline if, for example, there is a risk of attack. Plenty of cases where a well hidden phone has saved a persons's life. Can't exactly do that with a phone tethered to one's desk.

----------

The guide below may provide some useful information...

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Enterprise_Deployment_Guide.pdf
 
lordofthereef said:
a persons's life. Can't exactly do that with a phone tethered to one's desk
Click to expand...

Good gracious man, ur pulling up the dictionary to quote all kind of reasons. U law student or something? ^)

OP is the employee and will abide to what empleyer asks of him regardless what we say here, unless the guy is disabled in some fashion and the law mandates "reasonable" accommodation.
 
Mrbobb said:
Good gracious man, ur pulling up the dictionary to quote all kind of reasons. U law student or something? ^)

OP is the employee and will abide to what empleyer asks of him regardless what we say here, unless the guy is disabled in some fashion and the law mandates "reasonable" accommodation.
Click to expand...

Nope. Not a law student. I'm just pointing out that its redundant and unhelpful to say "just go without your phone". He obviously hasn't been told point blank he cannot bring his phone in otherwise he wouldn't have started the thread. I know for a fact that there are companies that are willing to disable the camera for you. I know about this from another thread and, if I'm not mistaken, the person who mentioned it works for the department of defense. At the end of the day, I was trying to actually five the OP some useful information, which seems to be scarce in this thread.
 
Last edited:
They should have a place to store ones phone during business hours. Or just leave it in a locked car. Hopefully, they would have security camera's in the parking lot if they are that security minded.
 
Blackberry makes non camera versions of their phones for this reason. You can probably pick up a cheap and used one on the Internet. They are hard to come by, but were indeed offered for situations like this.
 
pooleman said:
At this point I pretty much live on my iPhone. My wife has no cell at all but she sends me iMessages from her iPad. Yes i can live without my phone at work, I just like having it on me. I found a company that will remove your phones camera for $19. When i start on June 3rd I will ask security specifically what i have to do to be allowed to bring in my iPhone.
Click to expand...

Or, just buy one of those old and cheap phones that don't have cameras, and enjoy your full iPhone when you're not working. At least you can reduce the risk of potentially ruining your iPhone!
 
Chances are, the company won't accept a software solution to this issue. There's likely no way they will trust that. Don't destroy your phone though of this. Your only option, short of asking them if they will accept software modification, will be you will need a separate cameraless work phone.
 
pooleman said:
At this point I pretty much live on my iPhone. My wife has no cell at all but she sends me iMessages from her iPad. Yes i can live without my phone at work, I just like having it on me. I found a company that will remove your phones camera for $19. When i start on June 3rd I will ask security specifically what i have to do to be allowed to bring in my iPhone.
Click to expand...

If you're on AT&T, the store on Broad Street can disable the camera using parental controls, and write a letter for security. Bring it to the gate, they will inspect it and give it a sticker. You're good to go. I'm not saying the policy makes any sense whatsoever, but that's what the policy is. My 4S is disabled this way, and is allowed in all of the facilities (I'm in three of the four on a regular or semi-regular basis).

----------

Also, if you remove the case, you have to go back to security and get a new sticker put on the new case, so get whatever case you want to keep (if you're in the trades or deck plate engineering, an Otterbox, Lifeproof or the like might be a good idea).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back