Why does my camera turn on when receiving a text?

[thunderbunder16]

Camera turns on when receiving text

Over the past few weeks, each time I receive a text the camera app automatically opens. Is this a way for the government to spy on me?
Anyone having similar problems?

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Camera turns on when receiving text

Does this persist after a reboot? How about a cache partition wipe? http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-5744

 

[hubermania]

Re: Camera turns on when receiving text

Does it happen with every text you get from everybody? Some security apps allow you to remotely activate the camera in the event the phone os stolen. Still others take a picture if the wrong password is entered X times. Then there's the possibility a buddy got their hands on your unlocked phone and "enhanced" it.

 

[thunderbunder16]

Re: Camera turns on when receiving text

Cache partition wipe worked. Never heard of that. Thanks B. Diddy.

Hubermania - I'll keep an eye on my buddies to make sure they don't do that. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Camera turns on when receiving text

Glad it worked! The system cache partition is where the system stores various temporary data. Sometimes that data can start to mess things up, so wiping the cache can help fix all kinds of odd issues. It's harmless--you won't erase any personal data--so it's always worth trying, if the device allows you to do it. Certain devices (like many LG ones) don't let the user do this.

 

[thunderbunder16]

Re: Camera turns on when receiving text

It's happening again. I don't need to wipe the system cache partition every day, do I?
Hopefully lollipop will fix this problem.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Camera turns on when receiving text

You could also boot into Safe Mode, which disables all 3rd party apps. If the problem goes away in Safe Mode, then something you installed is probably causing it--the challenge is then to pinpoint it by uninstalling apps one by one. Safe Mode steps are at the bottom of that previous link.

 

[thunderbunder16]

Re: Camera turns on when receiving text

Thanks. I'll try that and report back.

I see that another thread was started about random camera startups. This may be becoming a more common problem.