2 Ways to Turn Off AutoFocus on Any Smartphone

If your iPhone or Android camera keeps focusing on the wrong object, ruining your shots, you’re not alone. Autofocus is meant to make photography effortless, but sometimes it misfires, shifts unexpectedly, or simply refuses to lock onto your subject.

Whether you’re using an iPhone 14, iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy, or any other smartphone, I’ll show you how to disable autofocus, use focus lock, and stop your camera from auto-focusing when you don’t need it.

📷 How to Disable AutoFocus on iPhone

iPhones don’t offer a direct “Disable AutoFocus” toggle, but you can use AF Lock (AutoFocus Lock) to stop the camera from refocusing.

• Open the Camera App on your iPhone.
• Point the camera at the subject you want to focus on.
• Press and hold on the screen until AE/AF Lock appears.
• This locks both AutoFocus and Auto Exposure, keeping the focus on your selected subject.
• Tap anywhere else on the screen to unlock it.

📌 Works on all iPhones, including iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 13, and older models.

How to Turn Off AutoFocus on Samsung & Android

Some Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other Android phones allow you to disable autofocus manually, but not all. Here’s how to stop your camera from constantly adjusting focus.

1. Open the Camera App.
2. Tap on the object you want to focus on.
3. Press and hold until a focus lock icon appears (usually a circle or square).
4. In some Android models, you’ll see an AF/AE Lock option – tap it to prevent refocusing.

📌 If your default camera app doesn’t support manual focus locking, try the method below using a third-party camera app.

Using a Third-Party Camera App to Turn Off AutoFocus

If your phone doesn’t allow AF Lock, you can use third-party apps like Open Camera, which provides full manual control over focus.

📌 Best app for disabling AutoFocus: Open Camera

1. Download and install Open Camera.
2. Open the app and tap on the Popup Menu (☰ icon).
3. Select Focus Mode → Locked Focus (🔒).
4. Your camera will now stop auto-adjusting focus.

✔️ This method works on all Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7, and OnePlus models.

Video Tutorial

FAQ: Turning Off AutoFocus on iPhone & Android

• Q: Can I permanently disable autofocus on my phone?
  A: No, but you can use Focus Lock or third-party apps.
• Q: Why does my camera keep changing focus?
  A: Autofocus detects contrast, but sometimes misinterprets the scene, especially in low light.
• Q: How do I stop autofocus in video mode?
  A: Use Pro Mode (if available) or Open Camera’s manual focus settings.
• Q: Can I disable autofocus on iPhone 14 & iPhone 15?
  A: No, but you can use AE/AF Lock in the camera app.

🔹 Why AutoFocus is Never Truly “Off” (Even When You Lock It)

Most people assume disabling AutoFocus means the camera won’t adjust focus anymore. But here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes:

📌 Even in Manual Mode, the AI still processes focus!

• Depth Mapping Algorithms Keep Running: Even when AE/AF Lock is on, AI continuously recalculates depth & sharpness.
• Face & Object Tracking Stays Active: Google Pixel & Samsung Galaxy prioritize eyes & faces, even when locked.
• Background AI Interference: Camera software (like GCam & Samsung Scene Optimizer) still modifies focus after capture.

📌 Hidden Focus Adjustments That Interfere with Manual Focus:

📌 If you don’t disable these, AutoFocus will still be partially active—EVEN in Pro Mode!

🔹 The Pro Mode Myth: Why Not All Phones Allow Full Manual Focus

People assume that Pro Mode = Full Manual Focus Control—but that’s NOT true for all brands.

📌 Why Google Pixel Doesn’t Have Manual Focus (And How to Work Around It)

• ✅ No Pro Mode
• ✅ No Manual Focus Override
• ✅ No way to fully turn off AutoFocus

📌 Workaround: To get true manual focus control, you need to install GCam Mods or use Open Camera.

📌 Which Phones Actually Allow Full Manual Focus?

Final Thoughts

If your iPhone or Android camera keeps refocusing when you don’t want it to, using AE/AF Lock or a third-party app like Open Camera can give you full control. While there’s no official “Disable AutoFocus” button, these methods will help you take sharper, more controlled photos without interruptions.