TikTok Camera Not Working on iPhone 16: Why Is My Screen Black?

Recently, a number of users have reported issues where the TikTok camera is not working on their iPhone. One of the most common symptoms is the TikTok screen going black when trying to record, especially when using the rear (back) camera.

The front camera usually works fine, and the iPhone’s native Camera app does not show any issues — making this bug all the more confusing. This is annoying for the iPhone users as the Tiktok camera keeps giving issues.

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Problem: TikTok Camera Screen Is Black or Glitchy

A widespread complaint from iPhone users is that TikTok shows a black screen when trying to use the rear camera. In some cases, pressing the record button does nothing. Others have reported a message saying, “Can’t record right now, try again later,” followed by no response at all.

Some additional issues include:

• Missing “Device Camera” option on TikTok Live
• Camera permissions enabled but still no access
• Works fine in other apps like Snapchat and Instagram (or vice versa)
• Restart helps temporarily but problem returns

Interestingly, this issue doesn’t appear to affect the iPhone camera hardware itself. The built-in iOS Camera app functions normally, as do other third-party apps for many users.

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Possible Causes

• Privacy settings conflict: iOS camera permissions may not be syncing properly with TikTok.
• Bug in recent TikTok update: Many users noticed this behavior starting after a recent app update.
• Corrupted app cache or settings
• Live or Draft overload: In some cases, users with many drafts have faced issues with recording and Live functionality.

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How to Fix TikTok Camera Not Working on iPhone 16/15 / iOS

Here are some possible solutions that have helped other users:

1. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart has helped several users temporarily fix the black screen issue. Though not permanent, it allows recording for a short time.

2. Check Camera Permissions

On your iPhone Go to:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera > TikTok
Ensure the toggle is ON.

3. Reset App Permissions

Turn OFF TikTok camera access in settings, then turn it ON again. This can reinitialize permission handling.

4. Avoid Uninstalling (if you have drafts)

Users with a large number of TikTok drafts are warned not to uninstall the app, as it deletes all saved drafts. If you must uninstall, back up videos first.

5. Try Updating or Downgrading

Some app versions seem more stable. Make sure your TikTok app is up to date, or if the issue started recently, consider waiting for the next update.

6. Use iPhone Camera to Record (Temporary Workaround)

Record videos directly using your phone’s native Camera app and upload them to TikTok manually. This is a workaround until the issue is resolved.

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Final Thoughts

If your TikTok camera is not working on your iPhone 16 or iPhone 15, especially showing a black screen or camera glitches, you’re not alone. Many users are facing this issue, and it appears to be app-specific rather than a device fault. Restarting your phone, checking permissions, and avoiding uninstalling the app (if you have important drafts) are the best immediate actions.