iPhone 15 pro can't focus close up documents when using the scan utility.

[Nousmedis]

Since purchased the new iPhone 15 pro, it seems that the iOS Dropbox app can't automatically switch to the macro lens (the ultra wide lens), so it can't focus small documents (like tickets or barcodes).

This same error occurs in other third party apps.

Apple says is the "developer fault" because they are making the wrong call to the camera function, and so it only uses the main camera, that in the 14 and 15 pro models can't close focus.

[Megan]

Hi @Nousmedis, let's jump right into this! 

As a first step, can you clarify the OS that you're using on your iPhone 15, along with the Dropbox version installed on the device? 

If you have a screenshot of how the content looks when you try to scan it using Dropbox, feel free to attach it here.

Keep me posted!

[Nousmedis]

Dropbox version 346.4.2 
iOS version 17.0.2 

Sample photo with Dropbox scan feature: [removed]

Same photo Using the iPhone default camera app: [removed]

[Hannah]

Hey @Nousmedis, I removed your shared links, to prevent unnecessary traffic in your account.

Can you attach your screenshots to your next reply here instead?

[Nousmedis]

This image was scanned using the "scan" feature of Dropbox:

This image was photographed using the default iPhone camera app:

As you can see, the default camera app (and other, properly developed apps) can automatically switch between lenses.

This topic has been addressed in a session at WWDC 2021: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2021/10047/?time=133

Essentially the solution is to use the minimumFocusDistance property of the capture device to derive a videoZoomFactor to make sure the users hold the phone at a larger distance than the minimumFocusDistance. This is also illustrated in this sample code: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/avfoundation/capture_setup/avcambarcode_detecting_barcodes...

[Walter]

Hey @Nousmedis, sorry to jump in here, but I just wanted to let you know that our team is working on improving this.

Thanks for your feedback and flagging this with us.