Are you familiar with ghost touch? In this blog post, I will thoroughly explain what it is and how to fix it.
Table of Contents
What Is iPhone Ghost Touch?
When your iPhone starts doing things on its own, this is referred to as iPhone ghost touch. When this occurs, apps may open on their own and the display screen may react to imaginary touches.
This can be extremely annoying especially if it happens when you’re in a rush and you’re trying to do something important.
In some cases, you may have to take your iPhone to Apple to fix this problem. However, there are a number of things you can do that may solve the problem.
Can All iPhones Be Affected?
Yes, ghost touch is something that can affect just about every iPhone that Apple has ever created.
However, this problem is most common on the iPhone X. Back in 2018, Apple stated that it discovered some problems with the display screen of the iPhone X.
Apple also stated that it would provide repairs free of charge to customers that have been affected by this.
How To Fix Ghost Touch On An iPhone:
- Clean the display screen
- Remove the screen protector
- Remove the case from your iPhone
- Install all pending iOS updates
- Restart your iPhone
- Force restart your iPhone
- Erase your iPhone
- Restore your iPhone via iTunes
- Take your iPhone to Apple
Clean The Display Screen:
Cleaning the display screen on your iPhone is a simple but effective way to combat ghost touch.
Cleaning the display screen will remove dust and debris that has the potential to cause problems with the way in which the iPhone responds to your touch.
How To Clean The Display Screen On Your iPhone:
Before cleaning the display screen on your iPhone, you must unplug all cables attached to it and you must turn it off.
Then you should get a soft lint-free cloth and disinfectant. When cleaning your iPhone, Apple has stated that you should not spray the disinfectant directly onto the iPhone.
Instead, it should be sprayed onto the lint-free cloth, and you must wipe it from one end to the other.
While you’re cleaning the display screen you must avoid getting any liquid into the iPhone’s charging port or any other openings.
Apple has also stated that you should not use household cleaners or cleaners which contain hydrogen peroxide or abrasives.
If you do this, you may erode the oil-resistant coating on your iPhone.
Remove The Screen Protector:
Screen protectors provide a layer of protection that may stop the display screen from breaking in the event of an accidental drop.
However, a screen protector has the potential to affect the way the touchscreen works. Thus the reason why you may be able to stop ghost touch by removing it.
A screen protector is a thin layer of laminated tempered glass or plastic that you can place directly on top of your iPhone’s display screen to protect it.
Even though screen protectors provide a great way for you to protect the display screen on your iPhone.
Sometimes they may negatively affect the way the display screen works by causing problems such as ghost touch.
When this happens, you can fix it by removing the screen protector. If the screen protector on your iPhone is made of glass, you must be very careful when removing it.
You should remove the screen protector slowly if it has been broken, but if you’re not comfortable doing this then you may be better off taking it to Apple to have it done.
You can also contact the manufacturer who made the screen protector and ask them what’s the best method for removing the screen protector.
Remove The Case From Your iPhone:
A slightly twisted display screen can cause ghost touch.
If this is the case, you may be able to fix this problem by removing the case from your iPhone.
A hard case can cause the display screen to twist, hopefully, removing the case will fix this problem. However, if you need assistance, Phone Repair Depot can help you to resolve this issue.
Install All Pending iOS Updates:
If your ghost touch problem only occurs when you’re using a specific app, then it may be a problem with the app.
Maybe that app became corrupted due to the implementation of firmware which may have triggered the problem.
If you believe that third-party apps are the ones affected, then you should install updates for those apps.
The app updates contain bug fixes to repair glitches and in-app errors. If your iPhone is still fast and responsive and it has a steady internet connection, you should follow the steps below to install pending app updates.
- On the Home screen, tap App Store to launch the Apple App Store app.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap on Updates.
- All apps with pending updates will appear.
- Tap the Update button next to the name of the app you would like to update to individually update your apps.
- If multiple app updates are available, tap the Update All button in the upper-right corner of the display screen.
After following these steps you must wait for your apps to finish updating. Then you should restart your iPhone which will apply the recent software changes.
Restart Your iPhone:
Some iPhone problems can be fixed by restarting the iPhone, this also applies to ghost touch.
This is due to the fact that restarting your iPhone clears the temporary memory which has the potential to clear any glitches that may be causing the ghost touch.
You can follow the directions here to find out how to restart your iPhone.
Force Restart Your iPhone:
You should only force restart your iPhone when it has a serious problem that prevents you from restarting it the way it’s supposed to.
In some cases, ghost touch can be fixed by force restarting your iPhone. However, you should only do this when the problem is extremely severe and you cannot use the iPhone properly.
The great thing about force restart is the fact that it can be done when the iPhone is not working properly.
How To Force Restart Your iPhone:
When you Force Restart your iPhone it will enter Recovery Mode, follow the steps below to Force Restart your iPhone which will enable you to restore your iPhone via the Recovery Mode.
This method will work on iPhone 8 or newer.
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button.
- When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.
Follow the steps below to Force Restart the iPhone 7:
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button.
- When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
Follow the steps below to force restart the iPhone 6 or earlier:
- Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button.
- When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
Erase Your iPhone:
Ghost touch can also be caused by complex system errors. If this is the case, you will be able to fix it by performing a factory reset.
When you perform a factory reset on your iPhone it will erase everything on your iPhone. Before doing this, you must back up all the critical data on your iPhone.
You can back up your data on iTunes or iCloud it’s your decision. After you have backed up your iPhone, you can follow the steps below to perform a factory reset via settings:
- On the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Reset.
- Choose the option to Erase all content and settings.
- Enter the passcode to continue.
- Choose the option to confirm full system restore or factory reset.
You also have the ability to use iTunes to manually erase your iPhone and perform a factory reset on a computer.
If you use this method, you can back up the file on your iPhone to your iTunes drive or a designated folder or directory on your computer.
After you have backed up all your personal information, you can start erasing your iPhone via iTunes.
All you have to do is follow the commands on the screen to reset your iPhone via iTunes. After completing this process, you can restore your iPhone from a previous iOS backup or set it up as new.
Restore Your iPhone Via iTunes:
When you repair your iPhone in Recovery Mode it gives iTunes the ability to repair corrupted system data from the most recent iOS update which includes ghost touch.
The chances of major iOS system problems via Recovery Mode are higher. One of the main drawback to doing this is the fact that it affects the data which is stored on your iPhone’s internal storage.
So it’s very important to create backups via iTunes before you restore your iPhone. If you would like to restore your iPhone via Recovery Mode you should follow the steps below.
If you have an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X or newer you should follow the steps below to enter recovery mode:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.
- On your iPhone, press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Power button and continue to hold it when the Apple logo appears.
- When the Recovery Mode screen appears, release the Power button.
If you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, follow the steps below to enter recovery mode:
- You must connect your computer to your iPhone.
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously.
- Hold down the buttons until the Apple logo appears.
- Then release the buttons when the Recovery mode screen appears.
If you have an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, or older iPhone models you should follow the steps below to enter recovery mode:
- Connect your computer to your iPhone and launch iTunes.
- Press and hold the Home and Lockbuttons simultaneously.
- When the Apple logo appears, and you see the Recovery Mode screen you can release the buttons.
- Click the appropriate button to Restore your iPhone.
- To complete the process, you should follow the commands onscreen to restore your iPhone in iTunes.
You should wait for the restoration process to be completed then exit recovery mode and disconnect your iPhone from your computer.
You should not disconnect your iPhone from your computer until the process has been completed.
After the process has been completed you can force restart your iPhone to exit recovery mode.
Take Your iPhone To Apple:
If you have tried everything I mentioned above and you’re still having problems with ghost touch, then you should schedule an appointment at an Apple Store.
If you were unable to solve your problems after applying what I mentioned above, there’s a possibility that a hardware issue may be the cause of your ghost touch problem.
You should go to Apple Support to fix this problem.
If you have any comments or questions about this information, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.
FAQs
How can I permanently fix my ghost touch? ›
To fix ghost touch issues on Android, remove the case and screen protector to prevent overheating issues. Then, install the latest Android OS updates, and scan your system for malware. Additionally, disable gestures and have your screen repaired.
Can you get ghost touch fixed? ›You can fix iPhone ghost touch problem by getting rid of anything that may have affected the screen, such as dirt and liquid, a screen protector, or a tight case. Software issues can be resolved with as little as a restart or as much as a factory reset.
What triggers ghost touch? ›Poor charging cable or charger.
This is by far the most reported cause of ghost touch on Android. If you notice your phone started tapping itself when you plug in your charger, then the charger is perhaps at fault. Perhaps the charger is not compatible with your device, or it's a poorly made charger.
Ghost touch is caused by a software bug that Apple has fixed in a recent update. To remove this problem, you should update your iPhone. If it is a hardware issue, then it is possible that it is due to faulty touch screen sensors.
What causes ghost touch on iPhone? ›Among the possible causes of ghost touch problem on an iPhone is a faulty display or damaged screen components. This is usually the case if some pins are out of place and thereby caused your iPhone display not seated correctly in the case.
Why does my iPhone press buttons by itself? ›One of the major reasons if your iPhone keeps clicking by itself is the presence of external elements on the screen. If the external matter (such as dust or water) is on the screen, chances are high that the screen might start misbehaving. Hence, it is necessary to clean your screen from time to time.
Why is my iPhone typing by itself? ›An outdated iOS may stop your iPhone from performing well, which makes it possible to cause your iPhone types on its own. You can go to Settings > General > Click on Software Update > Click Install Now to update iOS if it is available.
How do you fix the ghost touch on iOS 15? ›- Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Step 2: Then, press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Step 3: Finally, press and hold the Side/Power button for a few moments and then release it when the Apple logo appears.
Yes, many problems of a device can be solved by performing Factory Reset so we can assume that this method can also fix Ghost Touch issue.
Is Ghost touch a hack? ›According to the researchers' findings, an attacker can use GhostTouch to carry out several types of malicious actions, including initiating calls and downloading malware.
Can water cause ghost touch? ›
Water damage can cause ghost touch on your phone due to short circuits or damaged internal contacts due to water inrush between the phone's middle body and screen assembly, or from ports such as micro-USB ports.
Why is my screen touching itself? ›This is because the protective case overlaps the signal of your actual finger touch so that it can't be recognized correctly. This can also happen when you use a screen protector and there is dust or dirt underneath. So, if you use a protective case or tempered glass, try it without these protections for a while.
How do you test for ghost touch? ›- download a multi touch tester app I used this.
- first do some testing yourself see if you can spot the issue.
- now do 3 finger swipe down (phone will take screenshot)
- now randomly touch your screen with 1 or 2 fingers you'll notice 1 or 2 ghost touches.
There is a chance that your phone experiences ghost touch because of some software problems. It's not very likely but it could also be a virus/malware or simply a new application that you've installed that might be interfering with your phone.
How do I stop my iPhone from pressing buttons randomly? ›Helpful answers. Go to Settings and tap Accessibility. Turn on the feature, then use the slider to select a sensitivity level.
Can viruses cause ghost touch on iPhone? ›There are several factors causing ghost touch on iPhone like voltage fluctuation, a capacitive surface coming in contact with the screen, grounding issues, etc. It's generally due to a hardware malfunction and can rarely be caused by something like a virus.
How do I reset my iPhone touch screen? ›iPhone Touch Screen Not Working? Here's Why & The Fix! - YouTube
How do I calibrate my iPhone touch screen? ›Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then tap Haptic Touch or 3D & Haptic Touch. Choose the touch duration—Fast or Slow. On an iPhone with 3D Touch, you can also choose the pressure needed—Light, Medium, or Firm. Test the new setting on the image at the bottom of the screen.
Why does my touch screen go crazy? ›If by "going crazy" you mean the screen is getting phantom touches and/or isn't responding to yours, then there's a hardware defect. It may be as simple as replacing the USB cable, replacing the screen assembly, or anything in between.
Does resetting iPhone delete everything? ›When you tap Erase All Content and Settings, it completely erases your device, including any credit or debit cards you added for Apple Pay and any photos, contacts, music, or apps. It will also turn off iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Game Center, and other services.
How do I fix the ghost touch on my iPhone 11? ›
- Restart your iPhone. ...
- Disconnect third-party charger and accessories. ...
- Clean your screen. ...
- Remove or replace your screen protector. ...
- Try a different iPhone case. ...
- Check your Accessibility settings. ...
- Update to the latest version of iOS. ...
- Update apps in the App Store.
Ghost touch can be any number of things, although a dropped device causing digitizer damage (with or without glass damage) is the most common. However, random failure isn't necessarily caused by being dropped. Most of these issues are fixed with a new front screen assembly.
Why is my iPhone screen crazy? ›Before troubleshooting, clean your iPhone screen. Unusual display behaviors can also be attributed to some dust or grime stuck on the phone's screen. Also try removing any third-party casing or screen protectors from your device as they may also trigger similar issues.
How do I force restart my iPhone? ›- Press and quickly release the volume up button.
- Press and quickly release the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side button.
- When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.
How To Reset Homescreen Layout on Android - YouTube
Why does my phone automatically click on its own? ›Reduce touch sensitivity
Touch sensitivity can also cause an automatic touch clicking issue on your Android phone. We recommend you to turn off this feature. To turn it off, go to Settings > Advanced Features > Touch Sensitivity. We have used a Samsung smartphone as an example here.
Signal, the secure messaging app, has been hit by a hack that leaked its users phone numbers. The attack means that 1,900 users have been compromised, with their phone numbers and SMS codes exposed. That means that hackers could potentially register those accounts onto a new device.
What is Ghost touch in Android? ›As there could be many reasons which can cause a ghost touch problem on your Android phone. If you are thinking that this is a software issue then you are wrong. Ghost touch issues can occur when you touch your phone's screen with dirty hands or even when your phone's screen gets dirty.
Does putting your phone in rice work? ›Despite what you've heard, putting your phone in rice won't dry out your phone, and might actually do even harm than good. Dust, starch and small grains of uncooked rice can get lodged in the mechanisms of your phone. Instead, use silica gel packets.
How do you fix the ghost touch on Ios 14? ›- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button and then the Volume Down button.
- Immediately after that, press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds. ...
- Once you see the Apple logo on the screen, release the side button and wait until your iPhone finishes the reboot.
How long does phone in rice take? ›
Give it as long as possible to dry out. Ideally you want to allow 48 hours or more, but at least leave it overnight if you can. While some phones won't be revived no matter how long they sit in rice, the longer the better. Before reassembling, check carefully to ensure no grains of rice remain inside the phone.
Can water damage ghost touch? ›Does water damage cause ghost touch? Water damage can cause ghost touch on your phone due to short circuits or damaged internal contacts due to water inrush between the phone's middle body and screen assembly, or from ports such as micro-USB ports.
Why my phone is automatically touching itself? ›Phantom touch / ghost touch is a software/hardware issue that shows physical touches on the device screen even when the device is kept idle. If you are experiencing such issue you should search the web with your device name and you might find a way to fix them. There is no “one stop solution” for the problem.
Why does my touch screen go crazy? ›If by "going crazy" you mean the screen is getting phantom touches and/or isn't responding to yours, then there's a hardware defect. It may be as simple as replacing the USB cable, replacing the screen assembly, or anything in between.
Why is my screen touching itself? ›This is because the protective case overlaps the signal of your actual finger touch so that it can't be recognized correctly. This can also happen when you use a screen protector and there is dust or dirt underneath. So, if you use a protective case or tempered glass, try it without these protections for a while.
Why does my iPhone keep pressing things on its own? ›One of the major reasons if your iPhone keeps clicking by itself is the presence of external elements on the screen. If the external matter (such as dust or water) is on the screen, chances are high that the screen might start misbehaving. Hence, it is necessary to clean your screen from time to time.
Can dropping your iPhone cause ghost touch? ›Ghost touch can be any number of things, although a dropped device causing digitizer damage (with or without glass damage) is the most common. However, random failure isn't necessarily caused by being dropped. Most of these issues are fixed with a new front screen assembly.
Why is my iPhone doing random things? ›In most cases, this issue occurs because some pins are out of place and your iPhone display is not seated correctly in the case. As well as hardware failures, ghost touch can also be the result of software glitches.
Is Ghost touch a hack? ›According to the researchers' findings, an attacker can use GhostTouch to carry out several types of malicious actions, including initiating calls and downloading malware.
How do you test for ghost touch? ›- download a multi touch tester app I used this.
- first do some testing yourself see if you can spot the issue.
- now do 3 finger swipe down (phone will take screenshot)
- now randomly touch your screen with 1 or 2 fingers you'll notice 1 or 2 ghost touches.
Can viruses cause ghost touch? ›
There is a chance that your phone experiences ghost touch because of some software problems. It's not very likely but it could also be a virus/malware or simply a new application that you've installed that might be interfering with your phone.
How do I reset my iPhone touch screen? ›iPhone Touch Screen Not Working? Here's Why & The Fix! - YouTube
How do you fix your phone if it touches itself? ›[Fixed] Mobile Touch Screen Operating automatically - YouTube
How do I calibrate my iPhone touch screen? ›How To Calibrate iPhone Motion Sensor (Simple) - YouTube
How do you fix the ghost touch on Ios 15? ›- Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Step 2: Then, press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Step 3: Finally, press and hold the Side/Power button for a few moments and then release it when the Apple logo appears.
Before troubleshooting, clean your iPhone screen. Unusual display behaviors can also be attributed to some dust or grime stuck on the phone's screen. Also try removing any third-party casing or screen protectors from your device as they may also trigger similar issues.
Why does my iPhone 11 Keep ghost touching? ›This is usually what happens if you've customized your iPhone settings according to your preferences and the recent overrides have ruined them. To clear this out, try to reset all settings on your iPhone 11 Pro to erase all current settings including erratic system alterations that trigger a ghost touch symptom.