Fixed: iOS 26 3D Photos or Spatial Scene Not Working

I've been testing on my iPhone 13, but generating space images in the gallery has failed across all iOS 26 beta versions, each showing slightly different error behaviors. How can I fix this issue? --From Reddit

Apple's new Spatial Scene (or 3D Photos) feature in iOS 26 is designed to bring your pictures to life with incredible depth, but many users are finding it isn't working as expected. If you're experiencing frustrating issues like flat images, greyed-out options, or app crashes instead of immersive 3D effects, you're not alone. Fortunately, these problems are often due to minor software glitches or incorrect settings. This guide provides the simple fixes you need to resolve the iOS 26 3D photos or Spatial Scene not working issue and start enjoying this exciting new feature.

Part 1. iOS 26: What are 3D Photos and Spatial Scene?

In iOS 26, 3D Photos (also called Spatial Scene) is a feature that transforms your standard pictures into immersive, three-dimensional memories. By simply tilting your device, you can look around the subject of the photo, creating a window-like effect that adds a stunning sense of depth and realism.

This is achieved by using your iPhone's multiple cameras and sensors to capture not just an image, but also its spatial data. The software then uses this information to make your photos feel more lifelike and engaging, allowing you to experience your memories in a whole new way.

Part 2. How to Fix 3D Photos or Spatial Scene Not Working?

When the exciting 3D Photos or Spatial Scene feature in iOS 26 doesn't work, it can be a significant disappointment. The cause is often a simple setting or a minor software glitch. Before diving into more complex solutions, let's walk through the most common fixes to get this immersive feature running properly on your device.

Method 1: Check Device Compatibility

First, ensure that your iPhone or iPad model actually supports the Spatial Scene feature. This advanced computational photography requires specific hardware, including multiple camera lenses and powerful processing capabilities.

According to the tech forum, this 3D feature only works on iPhone 12 and later models.

Method 2: Enable the Feature in Settings

It's possible the setting for 3D Photos was disabled or turned off during the iOS 26 update. You can easily verify and re-enable it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your device.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Camera.
Step 3: Select Formats.
Step 4: Make sure the toggle for Spatial Scene or 3D Photos is turned on (green). If it's already on, try toggling it off and on again to reset the function.

Method 3: Restart Your Device

A simple restart is a highly effective way to fix glitches with the new Spatial Scene feature. It works by clearing your iPhone's temporary memory (RAM) and forcing the background processes for the Photos and Camera apps to start fresh. This simple action can immediately resolve software conflicts that prevent the 3D effect from rendering.

Step 1: Press and hold the Side Button on the right and either the Volume Up or Volume Down button on the left simultaneously.
Step 2: Continue holding until the "slide to power off" slider appears on the screen.
Step 3: Drag the slider to the right. Wait for at least 60 seconds to ensure your device has completely shut down and all residual power is cleared.
Step 4: Press and hold the Side Button again until you see the Apple logo appear.

Method 4. Check for iOS Updates

Since Spatial Scene is a brand-new feature introduced in iOS 26, it's common for initial bugs to surface that affect its performance on certain devices or under specific conditions. An available update may contain a specific patch designed to fix the very problem you are experiencing with 3D Photos.

Step 1: Before checking for an update, ensure your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and has at least 50% battery life, or is connected to a power source.
Step 2: Open the Settings app, then tap on General.
Step 3: Tap on Software Update. Your device will automatically check for any new updates.
Step 4: If an update is available, you will see its details and release notes, which might even mention fixes for the camera or Photos app. Tap Update Now button and follow the on-screen prompts. After the update is complete, your iPhone will restart. Test the Spatial Scene feature again to confirm if the bug fix was successful.

Method 5: Use TunesKit iOS System Recovery to Fix iOS Glitch

When basic troubleshooting like restarting your device or checking its settings fails to resolve the "iOS 26 3D photos or Spatial Scene not working" issue, the problem may lie deeper within the iOS system itself. A minor corruption or glitch during an update can sometimes disable specific features. In these cases, a dedicated repair tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery can fix the underlying system files without affecting your personal data.

This tool is designed to repair over 150 different iOS problems, including the kind of system errors that might cause Spatial Scene to malfunction. Also, it can fix other iOS issues like iPhone camera blurry, iPhone stuck on boot loop, and iPhone black screen issues, etc.

Follow these steps carefully to use TunesKit's Standard Repair to fix iOS 26 spatial photos not working issue, which is designed to fix most common issues without data loss.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone

Download the iOS System Recovery software, and install it on your computer. Launch it once the installation is complete. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a reliable USB cable. On the main interface of TunesKit, select "iOS System Repair" and click the "Start" button.

Step 2 Select Standard Repair

You will then be presented with two options: Standard Repair and Deep Repair. Standard Repair can fix common iOS issues without erasing any of your data, while deep Repair addresses more complex system problems but will erase all data on your device. Always select Standard Repair first.

Step 3Download the Correct Firmware

The software will automatically detect your iPhone model and the currently installed iOS version. You must confirm that this information is correct. Once confirmed, click the "Download" button to get the latest secure firmware package for your device.

Step 4 Initiate the System Repair

After the firmware download is complete, you will see a new screen. Click the "Repair" button to begin the process. TunesKit will start fixing the potential glitches in your iOS system that are causing the 3D Photos feature to fail.

Method 6: Reset All Settings

If the problem persists, you can try resetting your device's settings to their factory defaults. This will not erase your personal data, but it will reset Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and other system preferences. To do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Part 3. FAQs about iOS 26 Spatial Scene and 3D photos

Part 4. Conclusion

This article provides fixes for the "3D Photos or Spatial Scene not working" issue in iOS 26, covering basic fixes like checking settings and restarting your device. For persistent system glitches, TunesKit iOS System Recovery, a tool that repairs the core operating system. Its key function is a "Standard Repair" mode that fixes the issue without deleting any of your personal data, providing a safe and effective solution when simple troubleshooting fails.