Camera

Phone camera shows a green or purple tint in photos or video

A distinct green or purple color cast across the whole image, rather than just dull colors, points to a sensor processing issue or, after a repair, an incompatible replacement part.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
10–20 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
$70–$250

Symptoms

  • Whole image has an obvious green or purple/magenta tint
  • Tint appears consistently across lighting conditions
  • May have started after a drop or a screen/camera repair
  • Other colors look otherwise normal aside from the cast

Likely causes

  • CommonCamera sensor processing glitchA software bug in image processing can occasionally introduce a color cast.
  • PossibleNon-original or incompatible replacement camera module from a repairAftermarket parts can sometimes have different color calibration than the original sensor.
  • PossiblePhysical sensor damage from impactA hard drop can damage the sensor's internal color filtering, producing a persistent tint.

What to do

  1. Restart the phone to rule out a temporary processing glitch.
  2. Update the operating system and camera app.
  3. Test both front and rear cameras to see if the tint is isolated to one.
  4. If this started right after a repair, contact that repair shop about the part used.
  5. Take photos in very different lighting to confirm the tint is consistent and not scene-specific.
  6. If the tint persists after software steps and wasn't from a recent repair, treat it as a likely sensor hardware issue.

Tools and parts

Camera moduleSearch: “camera module replacement for [your phone model]”

When to call a pro

See a repair shop if the tint persists after a restart and update, especially if it appeared suddenly or after a drop or previous repair.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.