What causes an iPhone screen to flicker?

If your iPhone screen is flickering, it could be because of a minor software problem. You can either hard-reset, reset all your settings or enter recovery mode. However, the problem can also be hardware-related. You will have to go your local Apple store in that case.

I was happy with my iPhone XR until its screen kept flickering a couple of months after I got it. Turns out, it was due to iOS bugs. I've discussed all the tips and tricks that helped below.

Let's get to it.

• How Do I Stop My Screen From Flickering?
• Solution 1: Disable Auto Brightness Feature
• Solution 2: Force-Restart (Hard Reset)
• Solution 3: Update Your App(s)
• Solution 4: Delete the App
• Solution 5: Check Your Internal Storage
• Solution 6: Reset Your Settings
• Solution 7: Enable Reduce Transparency Feature
• Solution 8: Factory Reset
• Solution 9: Enter Recovery Mode
• Solution 8: Enter DFU Mode
• Solution 9: Apple Support
• FAQ
• What Does it Mean When Your Phone Screen Keeps Flickering?
• How Do I Make My iPhone Screen Stop Flashing?
• Final Thoughts

How Do I Stop My Screen From Flickering?

There are many fixes, and they include:

Solution 1: Disable Auto Brightness Feature

This tweak does the trick the majority of the time. All you have to do is:

• Open Settings on the home screen > Display Accommodations
• Toggle the slider for Auto brightness (should turn green to grey)

Solution 2: Force-Restart (Hard Reset)

The problem could be due to a simple glitch or error. You should be able to clear it with a force-restart. A force-restart is like a simple reboot. However, all the processes and apps on your device would be closed abruptly.

The force-restart process depends on the iPhone you own.

Here's what you should do on iPhones with Face ID, iPhone 8S and SE (2nd and 3rd generation) :

• Quickly press and let go of the Volume Up button
• Press and let go of the Volume Down button
• Keep holding the Power Button until the Apple logo appears

iPhone 7 and 7S:

• Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons and then let go when you see the Apple logo screen

iPhone 6, 6S and SE (2nd generation):

• Hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time and let go when you see the Apple logo screen

Solution 3: Update Your App(s)

Does your iPhone screen only flicker when you open a specific app? The app in question might be bugging out. Updating it should help.

Here's how you update an iPhone app:

• Open the Apple app store
• Click [Your Name]
• Scroll down and click Update All

Restart your handset and see if the iPhone screen flickering issue still pops up when you open the application.

Solution 4: Delete the App

If the issue only pops up when you open an app, and updating it doesn't do the trick, you'll have to uninstall and reinstall it again.

Here's how iPhone users can uninstall an app:

• Find the program's app icon and hold it down
• Tap Remove
• Tap Delete

Go back to the Apple app store, search for the application, and tap download when you're ready to reinstall it again.

Solution 5: Check Your Internal Storage

Various iPhone issues can come up when you're low on internal storage, including the one in question.

Here's how you can check how much space is left:

• Open the Settings app > General
• Click iPhone storage
• Tap View More under Used Storage and Available Memory

Delete any old programs if you're low on space. I discussed how you can do this in the point above.

Solution 6: Reset Your Settings

There's a chance that you have meddled with a system setting, causing the problem. If you don't remember what you changed, you can fix iPhone screen flickering by resetting your settings. Your factory default settings would be brought back.

Just know that you will lose all your saved WiFi passwords, Bluetooth pairings and VPN settings in the process.

Here's what you do:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset
• Choose Reset All Settings
• Enter your passcode to proceed

Solution 7: Enable Reduce Transparency Feature

Although this solution hasn't worked for me, several users have remarked that it stopped their display from acting up:

• Open Settings app > General > Accessibility
• Select the Increase Contrast Option
• Toggle the Reduce Transparency feature (should turn green to grey)

Solution 8: Factory Reset

If a stubborn iPhone system issue is responsible, you might have to do a factory-reset. Keep in mind that all your personal data would be erased in the process. Backup your files beforehand.

Here's how you factory-reset an iPhone:

• Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
• Choose Erase All Content & Settings
• Enter your Apple ID password to confirm

Your iPhone will restart and you need to set it up like it's brand new. Hopefully, your flickering screen problem will be gone.

Solution 9: Enter Recovery Mode

You could also enter recovery mode. This troubleshooting method is more comprehensive, which is a plus. However, you risk running into a bunch of errors if you disconnect your device midway.

Just like doing a factory-reset, all your personal data would be lost. Backup your files beforehand.

Here's how you enter recovery mode on an iPhone:

• Open iTunes
• Plug your iPhone to your computer via USB or lightning cable
• Close all other programs that are running, as they can interrupt the recovery process
• Click the following button combinations:
  • For the iPhone 8 and newer models: Press and hold the Volume Up button, and then press and hold the Volume Down button. Keep holding the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
  • For the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Simultaneously press the Volume Down and Side buttons. Let go of them when the recovery screen appears
  • iPhone 6S and earlier models: Press and hold Power and Home buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until the recovery screen appears
• Locate your device on iTunes
• Click Restore

Your handset will automatically exit recovery mode if the new firmware package hasn't been installed in 15 minutes. As mentioned, don't disconnect it midway.

Related Reading

• How to Backup iPhone with Broken Screen? [Basic Guide]
• How To Fix Ghost Touch On iPhone X: Here's the Real Fix
• FIXED: iPhone 11 Ghost Touch Problem (Ultimate Guide)

Solution 8: Enter DFU Mode

Enter Device firmware update mode if a recovery restore is not cutting it. It's more comprehensive and is the last resort for most stubborn software problems. Entering DFU mode can be risky if you've jail broken your system before. You will brick your iPhone.

Here's how to DFU restore an iPhone:

• Launch iTunes (make sure it is the latest version of errors will pop up)
• Connect your smartphone to your computer
• Close all other programs that are running
• Click the following button combinations:
  • iPhone 8, 8 Plus, SE (2nd gen) and later models: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then do the same for the Volume Down button. Keep holding the Side and Volume Down buttons until the screen goes black. Now, let go of the Side button but keep holding Volume Down until your iPhone shows up on iTunes
  • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Hold the Side and Volume down buttons at the same time. After a few seconds, release the Side button but keep holding the Volume Down button. Wait for your iPhone to show up on iTunes
  • iPhone 6, 6S, SE (1st gen) and earlier: Hold the Lock and Home buttons at the same time. After about 8 seconds, let go of the Lock button but keep holding the Home button until your iPhone shows up on iTunes
• Click Restore

Solution 9: Apple Support

You may have a hardware problem on your hands, if none of the above solutions work. Your local Apple store should fix any hardware damage for free, depending on your warranty.

It's possible that you dropped and damaged your iPhone display. Or, it could have sustained water damage.

Related Reading

• iPhone Flashing Apple Logo? Here Are 5 Quick Fixes!
• Why is My Live Wallpaper Not Working on iPhone?
• How to Fix Dead Pixel on iPhone and iPad [Basic Guide]

FAQ

I've answered some popular questions below.

What Does it Mean When Your Phone Screen Keeps Flickering?

There are some possible causes:

• A software problem could be the issue. Hopefully, a hard-reset will help. If not, try factory-resetting, entering recovery mode or performing a DFU restoration.
• You may also have a hardware-related problem on your hands. You could have dropped and broken your iPhone screen. Alternatively, you may be dealing with water damage.
• An app you installed might be running amok. You may not have updated it in a while, or it may have succumbed to a stubborn error. If this is the case, you might only be dealing with a flickering iPhone screen when you open the app in question. You can update it or uninstall and then reinstall it again.

How Do I Make My iPhone Screen Stop Flashing?

Although this is a bigger problem than your screen flickering, the causes and solutions are the same. First, try a hard-reset. Any software problems responsible for the issue would be cleared. If this doesn't do the trick, you will have to factory-reset or enter recovery mode.

Ask yourself whether your screen only flashes when you open an app. You may have to update it or uninstall and reinstall it again.

Of course, water damage might be responsible as well. Let the pros at your local Apple store look at your device if the other solutions don't check out.

Many people say that disabling auto brightness fixes this as well. Give this a go.

Check out more smartphones

Final Thoughts

So, what do you think about my article? Your iPhone flickering screen is either due to a hardware or software issue, or something going on with an app of yours. I discussed several tips that will work, no matter your iPhone model. You won't have to buy a new iPhone if you utilize everything discussed.

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