To fix the ghost touch issue on your iPhone, remove the case and screen protector, unplug faulty accessories, clean the screen, adjust the touch sensitivity, and delete buggy apps. If the ghost touch issue is hardware-related (like due to a cracked screen), get in touch with Apple Support or a certified repair shop.
Hi, I’m Devansh. Since I bought my iPhone 13, I’ve faced the ghost touch issue once due to a buggy app. This led to many typos and random swipes before I fixed it.
In this article, I’ll first help you determine if you need to send your iPhone to a technician. After that, I’ll guide you through five steps to resolve the ghost touch issue.
If your iPhone screen is moving randomly as if controlled by a ghost, keep reading to learn how to fix it!
The ghost touch issue can be both hardware- and software-related. Did you drop your iPhone recently? Cracks in the screen or bends in the body can bring about the ghost touch issue. Even movement in existing cracks can do the same.
It can also be a manufacturing defect. Apple offers display-related service programs for the iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone X, and iPhone 11. If you’re not eligible for them, you can contact Apple Support or take your iPhone to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
If you can use your iPhone relatively well despite the ghost touch issue, try the following five steps. Before you do that, restart your iPhone once.
Now, let’s get started.
Step #1: Remove the Case and Screen Protector
Is there dirt, hair, dust, or an air bubble under the screen protector? Plus, is it cracked? All of this can cause the ghost touch issue in your iPhone. You can remove the screen protector by hand or using a credit card.
If your iPhone case is cracked or has a misalignment that is making it touch the edge of your iPhone screen, it can do the same as well.
Once you’ve removed both of these, try to use your iPhone like you usually would. If the ghost touch issue still persists, move on to the next step. For adding a new case and screen protector to your iPhone later, go to a mobile shop and get them installed by a technician.
Step #2: Unplug Faulty Accessories
If you are using non-certified accessories with your iPhone (like a charging cable or headphone jack converter), they might be causing the ghost touch issue. Disconnect them and see what happens.
Moreover, voltage fluctuations from a faulty wall outlet could also trigger the ghost touch issue. Try out a more reliable outlet for charging your iPhone. In the future, always get MFi-certified accessories for your iPhone to avert this issue.
Step #3: Clean Your iPhone
Ghost touches can also be caused if there is dirt, dust, or debris left on the screen that is getting registered as a tap. You can use a microfiber cloth (or a soft cotton napkin) to wipe the screen. Ensure that the screen and your hands are dry. If you want to perform a proper cleanup of your iPhone, check this Support page.
Step #4: Adjust Touch Sensitivity
Like many other aspects of functionality, iOS lets you adjust the touch sensitivity of your iPhone. If you’re experiencing the ghost touch issue, tweaking these settings could get things under control. Open the Settings app, go to Accessibility, and Touch.
You can look into four features: Touch Accommodations, AssistiveTouch, Haptic Touch, and Back Tap. Adjusting these may fix the ghost touch issue depending on your iPhone’s current settings.
Step #5: Delete Buggy Apps
In my case, my iPhone had the ghost touch issue due to a buggy app. Are you experiencing ghost touch only when you use a particular app? Close that app, open the App Store and check if there are any pending updates for that app. If there aren’t any updates available, uninstall the app and consider notifying the developer.
What’s Next?
If your iPhone still has the ghost touch issue after following the above steps, you can reset all settings back to default. Open Settings, go to General, and scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone. After tapping on it, tap on Reset and Reset All Settings. Enter your passcode and confirm it.
This won’t delete any data on your iPhone, but it’ll reset all settings back to default. If the ghost touch issue still doesn’t go away, get in touch with Apple Support or take your iPhone to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
FAQs
Here are two common questions related to the ghost touch issue on the iPhone.
What if Your iPhone Screen Displays Vertical Lines?
If your iPhone also displays vertical lines or some other glitches, it could be due to a damaged connector or an internal hardware issue. Check out this article for solutions.
Related: Why is My iPhone Screen Glitching and How to Fix It
Can Auto Brightness Feature Cause Ghost Touch Issue?
It’s unlikely. Auto Brightness is a feature that’s enabled by default, and it adjusts your iPhone display brightness based on your environment. Nevertheless, if you want to disable it: open Settings, go to Accessibility, Display & Text Size, and toggle off Auto-Brightness.
Conclusion
So, that’s it! If you want to fix the ghost touch issue on your iPhone, restart it once and follow the above five steps: remove the case and screen protector, unplug faulty accessories, clean your iPhone, adjust the touch sensitivity, and delete buggy apps.
In most cases, following these steps should resolve the ghost touch issue. If the ghost touch issue still doesn’t go away, contact Apple Support or take your iPhone to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Did the above steps fix the ghost touch issue on your iPhone? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
