How to Fix Ghost Touch on iPhone

Do you ever find that your iPhone is doing things even when you’re not touching it? Almost
as if there is a ghost playing with your precious smartphone?

If this is you, don’t worry, you’re (probably) not haunted. You may be experiencing a
phenomenon called ghost touch. This is where the screen reacts as if it’s been
pressed, even when you’re nowhere near it.
There are a number of reasons why it may happen, from hardware to software
issues. If you’re ready to start busting ghosts, here are some tips for how to fix ghost
touch on an iPhone.

Clean the Screen

The first thing to try is cleaning your screen. Debris, sweat, or body oils on the
screen could be the cause of your ghost touch issues. If you’ve ever spilled water
onto the screen of your iPhone, you’ll know that this can stop the touch screen from
responding the way you’d expect.

Try dampening a soft, lint-free cloth such as you would use to clean the lenses of
your glasses. Gently rub the surface of your screen to remove any dirt or debris. If
your iPhone is an iPhone 11 or newer, you can try using warm soapy water if the
damp cloth doesn’t work, but be careful not to get any liquid in the charging port or
other openings.

Apple also suggests using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, a 75 percent ethyl
alcohol wipe, or a Clorox disinfecting wipe to gently wipe over the surfaces of your
iPhone, including your screen. You should avoid products containing hydrogen
peroxide or bleach as these can cause serious damage.

Remove Your Screen Protector

If you have a screen protector on your iPhone, this may be causing your ghost touch
problems, especially if there is dirt or debris trapped under the screen protector.

Slowly peel off the screen protector starting in one corner until the entire product has
been removed. Clean the screen as described above, and then try using your iPhone
again. If you still experience ghost touch, try one of the other possible fixes below.
Remove Your iPhone Case

Hard phone cases can sometimes cause the screen to warp slightly, especially if
they have been dropped. This could cause ghost touch issues.

Try removing your iPhone case. If the case does appear twisted, remove the case
carefully to avoid any further damage to your iPhone.

With the case removed, see if the ghost touch issues still persist.