Apple says mounting your phone to the bike can damage the camera.

Started by TN_twowheeladdict, September 14, 2021, 07:48:59 AM

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TN_twowheeladdict

Another reason to go with an Android phone.   ???

QuoteMariella Moon
Mariella Moon·Associate Editor
Sat, September 11, 2021, 3:38 AM
Hold off on purchasing that iPhone mount for your motorbike. In a new Apple Support post first seen by MacRumors, the tech giant has warned that high amplitude vibrations, "specifically those generated by high-power motorcycle engines" transmitted through handlebars, can damage its phones' cameras. As the publication notes, that damage can be permanent. A simple Google search will surface posts over the past few years by users whose cameras were ruined after they mounted their iPhone on their bike, mostly so they can use it for navigation.

While Apple didn't say why it's issuing a warning now, it did explain the reason why attaching the iPhone to a motorcycle can destroy its camera. The company said that the camera's optical image stabilization (OIS) and closed-loop autofocus (AF) features can be damaged by long-term exposure to high-amplitude vibrations. A camera's OIS makes it possible for a device's gyroscope to sense movement. In turn, the gyroscope changes its angle and the lens moves accordingly to prevent blur when you accidentally move while taking a photo.

Meanwhile with closed-loop AF, a phone's onboard magnetic sensors measure vibrations to compensate for the movement, so the lens can be positioned accurately. As MacRumor notes, all models since the iPhone 7 come with both features.

Thus, Apple says it's not recommended to attach iPhones to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines. For mopeds and scooters, you may want to buy a vibration-dampening mount to lessen the risk of damage — or simply just use another GPS device to make sure you don't ruin a device that costs hundreds to over a thousand dollars.
2019 ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN
2017 SUZUKI VAN VAN 200
2018 MOTO GUZZI V7III CARBON
2018 HARLEY ROAD GLIDE SPECIAL

N4HHE

Quote from: TN_twowheeladdict on September 14, 2021, 07:48:59 AM
Another reason to go with an Android phone.   ???
Android has the same problem but with 100 different models and manufacturers none feel the need to fess up.

Remember, Android only exists as a mechanism for Google to track you.

BamaPhill

I had two android phone cameras get damaged by mounting to the handlebars on my DR650.  One was a Samsung Note and the other a Google Pixel.  The Samsung was an older phone that I used purely for GPS, so I really didn't care if the camera stopped working.   The Pixel was new (at the time) and would crash when I opened the camera app.  Luckily it was under warranty and they replaced it for free.  That's when I realized what was happening.  I got a mount made by Hondo Garage that has a vibration isolator called "Buzz Kill" that prevents damage to the camera.  I've been running it for a couple years with no problems with my Pixel 2XL and now Samsung S21.  I've talked to folks running iPhones using the Buzz Kill without any issues also.  It's a little pricey, but much cheaper than a new phone.  Here's links to it:

Buzz Kill:  https://hondogarage.com/collections/motorcycle/products/buzz-kill-vibration-isolator

Phone Mount:  https://hondogarage.com/collections/motorcycle/products/perfect-squeeze-phone-mount


2013 DR650
2015 CRF250L