iPhone white screen: causes and how to fix it
A fully white screen is often software and a force restart fixes it. White lines, patches or a screen that is white after a drop usually point to hardware.
Photo by Ingmar on Unsplash
First, is the iPhone working behind the white screen?
Have someone call you, or press the Silent switch and listen for the vibration. If the iPhone rings, vibrates or plays sounds, it is running and the problem is the screen or a software crash. If the iPhone does nothing at all, it may be off or have a dead battery, so charge it for a while first.
The fix
Fix 1: Force restart
- 1
Press and release Volume Up quickly.
- 2
Press and release Volume Down quickly.
- 3
Hold the side button.
Keep holding even when the screen goes dark, until the Apple logo appears. This works on iPhone 8 and newer and does not erase anything.
On an iPhone 7, hold the side button and Volume Down together. On an iPhone 6s or older, hold the Home button and the top or side button together. The white screen disappears after a force restart in most software cases.
Fix 2: Charge it
A very low battery can leave the display showing nothing useful. Plug the iPhone into a wall charger for at least 30 minutes, then force restart it again. If it never shows a charging screen, try a different cable and adapter.
Fix 3: Recovery mode (Update, not Restore)
If the white screen came after an update, iOS may be damaged. Use a computer to reinstall iOS without erasing your data:
- 1
Connect the iPhone to a Mac or a Windows PC with the iTunes app.
- 2
Put the iPhone in recovery mode.
On iPhone 8 and newer, press Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold the side button until the recovery screen shows a computer and cable.
- 3
On the computer, choose Update.
Update reinstalls iOS and keeps your data. Restore erases everything, so use it only as a last resort and only if you have a backup.
When the white screen is a hardware problem
- White lines, dots or patches on part of the screen: the display is damaged.
- The screen turned white after a drop or after water: a display cable or the panel may be loose or damaged.
- The white screen comes back after every restart, and the iPhone still rings: the display needs repair.
A force restart cannot fix those. Costs depend on the model and whether you have AppleCare. See iPhone screen replacement cost before you pay, and check whether AppleCare covers it.
Do not pay for a miracle repair tool
Many search results for this problem are written by companies that sell data recovery or system repair software. You do not need it. The free steps above fix the software cases, and a paid tool cannot fix a damaged display. If your data is at risk, the safest thing is a backup, or a visit to an Apple Store or a repair shop.
If it gets stuck on the Apple logo
Sometimes the white screen turns into a white Apple logo that never goes away. That is a different problem, with its own fixes in iPhone stuck on the Apple logo.
A white screen is not always the same fault
There are three common versions. A plain white screen that does not change can be a software crash. A white screen with the Apple logo is a startup problem. A white screen with lines, patches or flashing after a drop is usually a damaged display or its cable. The fixes above work for the first two. The third needs a repair.
After a drop, water or an update
If the white screen started right after a drop or water, skip the software steps and stop using the phone, because more charging and force restarts can make water damage worse. If it began during an update, give it time on a charger, as an update can take a long while before it finishes. If it started for no reason, a force restart and recovery mode are the right first steps.
What a repair can cost and where to go
A display or logic board repair costs more than a battery. Compare the price at Apple, a carrier and an independent shop, and check your coverage first. Our guide to iPhone screen replacement cost gives the common ranges, and how to check phone warranty shows whether you are covered. If your data is not backed up, ask the shop whether they can recover it before they replace parts.
How to avoid losing data next time
A backup turns a white screen from a disaster into an inconvenience. Turn on iCloud Backup, or follow how to back up your iPhone to use a computer. If the phone gets stuck on the Apple logo afterward, read the Apple logo guide.
Frequently asked questions
What causes the iPhone white screen?
A software crash, a failed or interrupted iOS update, or a loose or damaged display after a drop. If the iPhone still rings or vibrates, the phone is working and the screen or software is the problem.
Will I lose my data fixing a white screen?
Not with a force restart. In recovery mode, choose Update, not Restore. Restore erases the iPhone.
Do I need a paid tool to fix the white screen?
No. A force restart and recovery mode are free and built into the iPhone. Be careful of paid repair tools that promise a fix without data loss.
My screen has a white line or patch. Can I fix it?
Usually not. White lines, dots or patches almost always mean the display is damaged, and it needs a screen repair.
What to try next
People also ask
Why does my iPad have white lines on the screen?
It can be a software glitch or a damaged display. Apple lists horizontal or vertical lines among its display symptoms, and the screenshot test helps you tell which one you have.
Read the full guide: iPad white lines on screenWhy won’t my iPhone turn on even when charging?
The cable or adapter may be faulty, the port may be blocked with lint, or the battery may be so drained it needs up to an hour before the screen responds. Try another cable and leave it on a wall charger for an hour.
Read the full guide: iPhone won't turn onHow do I know if the screen is broken?
If the phone rings, vibrates and connects to a computer but the screen stays black after a force restart, the display or its cable is likely damaged.
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