10 Ways to Fix iPhone Screen Burn-in Problem

The latest iPhones boast flawless, crystal-clear screens with high-resolution displays that are a delight to watch. However, many people are wary of the possibility of “screen burn-in”where images remain permanently visible on your iPhone’s display.

If you’re worried about “ghost”images appearing on your iPhone screen, or if you’re already seeing some lingering images, don’t worry—you can still get rid of most of them! I have compiled a list of possible solutions for iPhone screen burn-in. Read on to find out more!

• What is iPhone screen burn-in?
• What causes screen burn on iPhone?
• How to fix iPhone screen burn-in
• iPhone Screen Burn Prevention Tips

What is iPhone screen burn-in?

Screen burn-in is a term that goes back to the days of cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions. This is the appearance of a ghostly afterimage left on the digital display.

This is due to organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology. Each pixel has its own light source and emits light independently of other pixels. So when certain pixels are used more than others, they get overloaded and dim faster, causing them to display colors differently.

Although the screen will still work, discoloration will be noticeable in some areas of the display. However, “burn-in”is a general term that refers to all kinds of ghost images on a screen. But afterimage is the most common form of burn-in seen in phones.

Compared to screen burn, which is generally permanent, afterimage is often a temporary discoloration that usually disappears after switching to a different image or turning off the device for a while.

What causes screen burn on iPhone?

Many things can cause screen burn on your iPhone. Keeping the screen brightness too high for too long and leaving the phone on the picture or home screen for an extended period of time are common culprits.

According to the Apple support page, “image saving is temporary and disappears after a few minutes of normal use. Burn-in can occur in more extreme cases, such as when the same high-contrast image is constantly displayed at high brightness for extended periods of time.”

Apple explains that these small visual changes are “expected behavior”for OLED displays, especially with prolonged use.

iPhone models with an OLED display

All Super Retina and Super Retina XDR iPhone models use OLED technology. Compared to traditional OLED displays, these displays are enhanced to provide wide color support, incredible color accuracy, and high brightness for the best viewing experience.

Models that use these displays include:

• iphone x
• iPhone XS and XS Max
• iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max

How to fix iPhone screen burn-in

Now that we have understood the problem, let’s navigate and find solutions.

1. Try playing a colorful video

One way to fix screen burn on your iPhone is to play fast-paced videos with lots of color changes. Another option is to use a moving splash screen. Displaying a video or moving picture ensures that you don’t constantly highlight the same pixels, preventing burn-in.

2. Turn off your iPhone

Most of the time, overloaded pixels just need a little rest, and turning the device off can sometimes fix the problem. If the screen burn-in is minor, the pixels will likely recover.

3. Adjust screen brightness

The higher the brightness of the screen, the harder the pixels must work, which can lead to screen burn-in. You can also use an app that keeps your display on even when you’re not actively using your device. In this case, adjusting the screen brightness can help reduce the risk of burn-in. To change screen brightness:

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap Display & Brightness. Move the slider left or right to adjust the screen brightness.

You can also turn on auto-brightness, which adjusts the brightness of your iPhone’s screen based on current lighting conditions. This setting is enabled by default. To check if this is enabled on your device:

1. Go to Settings → Accessibility.
2. Select Display and Text Size. Scroll down and turn on auto brightness.

4. Turn on dark mode

While this may not fix screen burn in, enabling dark mode on your iPhone can help mitigate this risk, especially if you prefer to use your iPhone at maximum brightness levels.

5. Enable auto-lock

The screen lock time feature is not only useful for keeping your iPhone’s battery in the best condition, but it can also protect your pixels by turning off the display when you’re not using it.

6. Force restart your iPhone

Sometimes minor software glitches can also lead to screen issues such as screen discoloration. Force restarting your iPhone should remove these minor software glitches.

7. Update your iPhone software

8. Restart your iPhone

If you think some changes to your settings are causing the problem, resetting your iPhone can help your iPhone return to its default settings. Do it:

1. Go to “Settings”→ “General”.
2. Scroll down and tap Transfer iPhone Reset → Reset.
3. Select Reset All Settings.

Note that this resets all of your settings, including network settings, keyboard dictionary, Apple Pay cards, privacy settings, and location settings. However, this does not erase data or media, so a backup may not be necessary.

9. Try a burnout remedy

There are several applications designed to “fix”screen burn-in. These applications allow you to visually check for signs of burn-in and “fix”image consistency by displaying a sequence of colors on the display to teach pixels to use different colors. An example is the Doctor OLED X, which costs $0.99 on the App Store.

10. Replace screen

If all of the above methods didn’t fix burn-in on your iPhone’s display, it’s probably gone forever. In this case, the only solution is to replace the screen.

Contact Apple and ask for their recommendations. Check your iPhone’s warranty to see if it’s covered by an iPhone replacement or screen replacement service.

You can also choose a third party service provider if they have a good reputation.

iPhone Screen Burn Prevention Tips?

If any of the above methods worked, great! But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen again. To keep your screen sharp and crystal clear, you should practice a few good habits:

• Avoid displaying static images, especially at maximum brightness: it is better to turn off the display or use a moving screensaver instead of a static one.
• Avoid high-contrast images: lowering the contrast ensures even illumination and reduces strain on certain areas of the screen.
• Turn down the brightness. Keep the screen brightness at 50% or lower.

Completion…

Burn-in or afterimage is often a temporary display problem that can become permanent if left unresolved. Adopting good habits like adjusting the screen brightness and turning off the display when not in use can help reduce the risk of burn-in on your iPhone.

Did any of these fixes work for you? Let us know about it in the comments!