In 2024, a rare total solar eclipse will pass over the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Millions will have the chance to see the moon completely block out the sun, revealing our star's ghostly atmosphere. It's a thrilling event. Here's everything you need to know.
I learned that my iPhone 15 Pro Max and the upcoming 2026 total solar eclipse do not mix. I stumbled upon BGR's article, which warned skygazers against using their phones to take pictures of the imminent cosmic event.
If you're like me, you may be wondering "Why?" After all, who wouldn't want to snap a photo of such an awe-inspiring celestial occurrence?
As it turns out, taking a photo of the 2026 solar eclipse could damage your iPhone's camera hardware.
Why you shouldn't take a photo of the 2026 solar eclipse with your phone
In the same way that you shouldn't use a telescope or binoculars to gaze at the sun (you could melt your eyeballs off), you shouldn't use your phone's shooter — or any other poorly equipped camera — to take a photo of the solar eclipse.
BGR says that no smartphone is designed to handle the intense solar rays the sun emanates. "Using your camera or phone could cause the heat from the rays to become so concentrated that it could melt the lens inside," the tech outlet warned.
Days before the April 8, 2024 eclipse that swept across parts of North America, NASA provided similar advice.
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There is a workaround in that you can purchase filters for your phone and camera.
But the best way to see the eclipse might very well be with your eyes rather than a camera lens. That is, if they are fully protected.
It must be emphasized that it's imperative that your eyes are protected. NASA recommends getting "ISO 12312-2" grade solar eclipse glasses that filter harmful light.
The historic 2026 total solar eclipse is set to happen Aug. 12. Mashable's Elisha Sauers, our space reporter, shares exactly when and where to get the bet view of the 2026 solar eclipse.
UPDATE: Aug. 9, 2026, 11:00 a.m. EDT This story was updated to include information related to the 2026 solar eclipse happening on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Kimberly Gedeon, at Mashable since 2023, is a tech explorer who enjoys doing deep dives into the most popular gadgets, from the latest iPhones to the most immersive VR headsets. She's drawn to strange, avant-garde, bizarre tech, whether it's a 3D laptop, a gaming rig that can transform into a briefcase, or smart glasses that can capture video. Her journalism career kicked off about a decade ago at MadameNoire where she covered tech and business before landing as a tech editor at Laptop Mag in 2020.