How to fix ghost touch on your iPhone

If your iPhone® is opening apps, typing on its own, or tapping things randomly, you may be dealing with ghost touch. It’s an issue where your phone seems to respond to phantom touches—and it can be frustrating to fix.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you. At Asurion, our experts help millions of people fix, protect, and get the most out of their tech. Here’s their guide to ghost touch on your iPhone, including what causes it and how to fix it.

What causes ghost touch on iPhone?

Ghost touch can happen for a few reasons:

• A damaged or dirty screen
• Faulty screen protector or case
• Software glitch or update issue
• Water damage or overheating
• A hardware problem with the display or logic board

How to fix ghost touch on iPhone

Try these steps to troubleshoot ghost touch before bringing your device in for repair.

1. Clean your screen

Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away dust, grease, or moisture that may interfere with touch response.

2. Remove your case and screen protector

Some cases or protectors can create pressure on the screen or interfere with touch sensitivity. Try using your iPhone without them and see if the issue persists.

3. Restart your iPhone

This can reset the software and temporarily stop ghost touch.

• Press and hold the Side and Volume buttons, then slide to power off.
• Wait a few seconds, then press the Side button again to turn it on.

4. Update iOS

Apple often releases fixes for bugs that may cause ghost touch.

• Open Settings > General > Software Update
• Install any available updates.

5. Reset all settings

If the issue continues, try resetting your settings. This won’t delete your data.

• Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings

6. Factory reset (as a last resort)

If nothing else works, you may need to erase your iPhone and set it up as new.

• Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings

Be sure to back up your device before doing this.

What to do if ghost touch doesn’t go away

If ghost touch continues, it could be a hardware issue—like a faulty screen or internal damage. We recommend visiting your nearest uBreakiFix by Asurion store for a free diagnostic. Our certified experts can find the issue and help fix it—fast and hassle-free.

FAQs

Is ghost touch a serious issue?

It can be. Sometimes it’s just software, but persistent ghost touch can signal a hardware problem that needs repair.

Can a cracked screen cause ghost touch?

Yes. A cracked screen or loose connection inside the display can lead to inaccurate touch responses.

Will Apple replace my phone for ghost touch?

If your iPhone is under warranty or part of an Apple repair program, they might. Otherwise, a repair shop like uBreakiFix by Asurion can help you fix it quickly.

Does ghost touch go away on its own?

Sometimes—but if it lasts more than a day or two, it’s worth troubleshooting or having it checked by a pro.