How to Fix Ghost Touch on iPhone

Don’t you just hate it when you are using your iPhone, and suddenly it starts behaving strangely? This may occur occasionally but can progress to a level where these glitches get out of hand and become a nuisance. If left unchecked, ghost touch is a common iPhone problem that can make your screen entirely unresponsive to touch.

What You Should Know About Ghost Touch on iPhone

Ghost touch is when your iPhone screen seems to react to nonexistent touches. In most cases, the screen moves or starts tapping buttons, such as open apps or dial numbers. Sometimes the screen doesn’t respond at all. Ghost touch was a problem previously seen on some iPhone 6 variants following a successful iOS update implementation. But it later emerged in iPhone 7,8 and the older iPhone 11, 12, and 13 models. Ghost touch problems are also common in iPhones X, XS and XR. Apple openly acknowledged in November 2018 that the iPhone X screen had touch issues related to ghost touch and started offering customers repairs. In most cases, the iPhone ghost touch issue is caused by a build-up of static electricity. This can happen if you’re using a particular iPhone model in a dry environment or wearing clothes that generate static electricity. The solution, then, is to increase the humidity levels around your iPhone or reduce the amount of static electricity your body generates. You can do this using a humidifier or placing your iPhone in a bowl of rice overnight (to absorb the static electricity). If you live in a particularly dry climate, you may also want to invest in a moisture-resistant iPhone case for your iPhone. Related Reading

Common Issues That May Cause Ghost Touching on iPhone

The ghost touch screen is a typical iPhone problem that may be caused by several factors such as:

The Screen Is Replaced or Repaired

Your iPhone is more likely to start experiencing ghost touch issues if the screen is replaced. The touch and screen sensitivity may be damaged during this process, leading to ghost touch issues. Fortunately, fixing the iPhone ghost touch is usually relatively easy as it’s a hardware issue. Most repair shops will re-calibrate the digitizer during the repair process and restore iPhone to its original settings, so it should be properly aligned when you get your phone back.

Manufacturing Defects

A defect in digitized manufacturing involving a factory automation error or data analytics fault may lead to ghost touch problems. This may happen due to a potential disruption in part of a program or an incorrect program installation. If you’re experiencing this iPhone ghost touch problem, simply take your iPhone to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider, and they’ll take care of it for you. In the meantime, there’s no need to panic – just enjoy your new iPhone and rest assured knowing that Apple has you covered.

Hardware Issues

A hardware problem may sometimes cause your iPhone to develop ghost touch problems. It may be a problem with the screen itself that causes electrical interferences to trigger false touches. Although it can be frustrating, there are a few things you can try that might fix the phantom touch problem. First, ensure your screen is clean and free of dirt or debris. Sometimes ghost touch can be caused by something as simple as a smudge on the screen. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your phone. This will often fix minor software issues that could be causing the ghost touch problem. If neither of those solutions works, then it’s probably time to take your phone to a repair shop or Apple store and have them take a look at it.

Software Errors

Software issues like an iOS update may also trigger ghost touches, especially if the update is infiltrated with bugs. It’s not such an uncommon occurrence with iOS updates. One of the most infamous examples is the ghost touch problem that plagued iOS 9. The touchscreen would register phantom inputs, leading to frustrating iPhone user errors. Apple eventually fixed the issue with a software patch, but it shows that even the most well-intentioned update can sometimes cause problems.

Here Are Some Quick Fixes For Ghost Touch On iPhone

How to Fix Ghost Touch on iPhone

While ghost touch will sometimes require you to take your iPhone to Apple for repair, there are quick fixes you can employ to reduce further damage. You can opt to clean the iPhone’s touchscreen, restore factory settings, or even replace the screen. Here is an in-depth look into the top fixes for ghost touch issues on iPhone.

1. Restart Your iPhone

Booting your iPhone can solve minor bugs leading to ghost touching. That’s why it’s always advisable to reboot or force restart your iPhone whenever this problem happens. Restart your iPhone to help clear the temporary memory and fix any glitches causing the screen to play up. The process involves pressing and holding your iPhone’s sleep/wake button until it turns off. Then press and hold the same button again until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Some iPhones don’t have a home button but can still be rebooted by holding the Side button or Volume button until the slide to power off slider appears.

How To Force Restart An iPhone

If your iPhone isn’t responding, you can try to force restart it. This process will reset your iPhone and clear any glitches that may be causing the ghost touch problem. To force restart your iPhone X, 8, or 8 Plus:

Press and release the Volume Up button.
Press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

To force restart your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: 1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Volume Down button at the same time until you see the Apple logo. How To force restart your iPhone 6s or earlier: 1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and Home button at the same time until you see the Apple logo.

2. Clean the Touch screen

Cleaning your iPhone’s touchscreen is a simple but effective defense against ghost touch issues. It removes any debris on the touchscreen that causes your iPhone to think you’re touching the screen. However, it’s a more delicate process that will first require you to turn the phone off and unplug any cables. Find a soft cloth and slightly dampen it with water. This will make it wet enough to wipe any dust particles off the screen from one end to the other.

3. Remove/Replace Screen Protectors

A screen protector incompatible with your iPhone device can touch some part of the device automatically, causing erratic behavior on the touch screen. Removing the protector can solve the problem if it is the reason for ghost touching. If possible, clean the screen before putting the phone back into the case. This is a precautionary measure, just in case there may be any debris stuck inside the case that is causing the issue. Consider placing a new screen protector on your iPhone after removing the old one and cleaning the phone.

4. Apply Phone Resetting

Phone resetting is another possible way to troubleshoot ghost touch on your iPhone and restore it to normal functioning. During the reset process, there is a complete deletion of any customized settings and possible bugs that might be triggering the ghost touch problem. You don’t need to have your phone data backed up during the process. All the saved data on your iPhone will remain intact. However, you can make a backup of your saved data before the reset for security purposes. The steps to reset your iPhone are as follows:

Go to the Settings
Click General
Click Reset
Click Reset All Settings
Enter your passcode when asked for and complete the reset process

5. Restore Factory Settings on Your iPhone

Sometimes resetting won’t deliver the magic you want to restore your touch screen to normal functioning. If this happens, the next logical fix is to attempt a factory reset. Restoring factory settings puts all other settings and configurations to default. It also uninstalls bugs that may be causing the ghost touch problem. The only problem with factor reset is that it effectively wipes all your data. So, the most logical thing to do when restoring your iPhone’s factory settings is to back up your data. To factory reset your iPhone, do the following:

Go to Settings > General.
Tap Reset iPhone.
Select Erase All Content and Settings
Continue to enter the passcode for your iPhone.
Wait for the reset to finish and check if the ghost touch issue is solved.

6. Update iOS to the Latest Version

iPhones require regular updates for the operating system to work efficiently. The reason for the regular iOS updates is that Apple wants to fix as many issues on their devices as possible. A problem with a previous iOS version is most likely to be fixed in a newer update. Operating with an old version of iOS on your iPhone could be one of the reasons for ghost touch issues. Although there are fewer chances for this, older iOS versions are known to have issues, and an update could fix any bugs causing ghost touching. To update your iPhone, ensure your phone is connected to a charger and a stable internet connection. Click the Settings option> General> Software Update> Download and Install. This should fix ghost touch issues and restore your iPhone to normal functioning.

7. Contact Apple Support

Sometimes constant ghost touch issues on your iPhone may result from a serious hardware problem. This is especially if you’ve exhausted the available software fixes. Hardware issues can range from improper display assembly to touchscreen seating problems. You shouldn’t try to fix such issues unless you have enough experience. Instead, contact Apple Support and book an appointment for repair. It’s even easier if you have an active warranty. Final Thoughts Ghost touch is a problem you can quickly fix on your iPhone if you follow the above-shared tips. Fixing the issue will also help you better care for your device and prevent it from happening again. Sometimes, the ghost touch bug could be minor and only require a simple restart to fix it. However, it can also be serious, requiring an iOS update or an entire restoration of your phone’s factory settings.