Seeing a white screen on your iPhone can be frustrating and concerning. However, in most cases, the issue is fixable with some troubleshooting. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on the common causes of an iPhone white screen and actionable solutions to try at home before taking your device in for professional repair.
Table of Contents
What Causes the iPhone White Screen of Death
There are two main categories for what causes an iPhone to get stuck on a white screen:
Software Issues
- Failed iOS updates – If an iOS update gets interrupted or doesn’t complete properly, it can cause system files to get corrupted and lead to a white screen.
- Botched jailbreak attempts – Jailbreaking involves modifying an iPhone’s software in unauthorized ways. If something goes wrong during the process, it can also result in a white screen of death.
- Buggy apps or glitches – Sometimes apps will crash in a way that causes an iPhone to freeze on a white screen when opened. General software glitches can also randomly lead to this.
Hardware Problems
- Display cable damage – There is a cable that connects the iPhone’s motherboard to the display screen. If this gets damaged from drops or normal wear and tear over time, it can cause a white screen.
- Internal component failures – Other internal hardware failures like the logic board, connectors, or sensors can also lead to display problems like a white screen.
Troubleshooting Steps To Try at Home
Before taking your iPhone in for professional service, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try at home to fix a white screen:
1. Hard Reset
A hard reset will force your iPhone to abruptly power down and restart. This clears out memory and resets software back to default settings.
How to hard reset:
- iPhone 8 or later – Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Then quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7 and earlier – Press and hold both the Home button and Power button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
2. Force Quit Frozen Apps
If you can still faintly see your home screen or app icons underneath the white overlay, try force quitting apps to see if one is frozen and causing the issue.
To force quit apps on an iPhone 8 or later, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the app quits.
On an iPhone 7 or earlier, press and hold the Home button and Power button instead.
3. Disable Zoom Accessibility
Sometimes the iPhone’s Zoom accessibility feature can get stuck and make the screen appear white.
To turn off Zoom, go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and toggle it off. You can also triple-click the Home button to turn this accessibility feature off.
4. Update iOS
Check if you have any pending iOS updates. Installing the latest iOS update can fix software bugs causing white screen problems.
You can update iOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
5. Restore Using Recovery Mode
Recovery Mode will wipe your device and reinstall the operating system. You’ll lose data but it often fixes many serious system issues.
How to enter Recovery Mode:
- iPhone 8 or later – Press and release Volume Up button. Then press and release Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- iPhone 7 and earlier – Press and hold Home and Power buttons simultaneously until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
Once in Recovery Mode, connect to a computer and restore using iTunes or Finder.
When To Take Your iPhone In for Service
If none of the above home troubleshooting steps fix your iPhone white screen, it likely indicates a hardware problem that requires professional service. Make an appointment at your local Apple store or authorized service provider to have the device inspected and repaired.
Be prepared to pay a fee for out-of-warranty repairs unless you have AppleCare+ coverage. Costs will vary depending on the specific hardware that needs replacing. Display and logic board repairs typically range from $200-$500 USD.
Preventing iPhone White Screens
To help prevent iPhone white screens from happening in the first place:
- Always install the latest iOS updates since they include bug fixes
- Avoid jailbreaking your iPhone
- Use a protective case and screen protector to prevent display cable damage from drops
- Be careful with app installations by only using trusted developers from the App Store
Conclusion
Seeing an iPhone stuck on a white screen can certainly be alarming. However, in most cases it is a software problem that you can troubleshoot yourself at home before taking it in for service. Be sure to try hard resets, force quitting apps, disabling zoom, updating iOS, and Recovery Mode restores. If the white screen persists, then make an appointment at an Apple store to have the hardware repaired by professionals. With the right troubleshooting and preventative care, white screens don’t have to lead to the dreaded death of your iPhone!
