If your iPhone XS is showing a ghost image burned into the screen or a weird green line running down the display, you’re not alone. Some users have noticed this problem—especially after leaving static images on the screen too long. Before jumping to a costly repair, try these steps first to see if a software tweak can fix it.
Turn Down Your Brightness
High brightness levels can speed up screen burn-in, so the first thing to do is adjust it:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Drag the Brightness slider to the left to reduce brightness.
To let your iPhone automatically adjust brightness based on lighting conditions:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Scroll down and turn on Auto-Brightness.
Set Auto-Lock to Kick In Sooner
Leaving the screen on too long can cause static images to stick. Set your screen to lock quickly when idle:
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Tap Auto-Lock.
- Set it to 30 seconds or 1 minute.
Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone
A glitchy display might just be a temporary bug. Try a quick restart:
Soft Reset:
- Hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off the phone.
- After 30 seconds, hold the Side button again to turn it back on.
Force Restart:
- Quickly press and release Volume Up.
- Quickly press and release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Update to the Latest iOS Version
Sometimes, screen glitches are fixed in software updates:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Make sure your battery is charged and you’re on Wi-Fi.
Try a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If nothing helps and you suspect it’s a software issue, resetting everything might be worth a shot:
⚠️ Warning: This erases your phone. Back up your data first via iCloud or a computer.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
Once it’s done, set up your iPhone as new and check if the display issue persists.
Still Seeing Burn-In or Green Lines? Contact Apple
If the problem sticks around after trying all of this, it might be hardware-related—especially if your phone has been dropped or exposed to heat. Reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to get it checked out. If you’re under warranty or have AppleCare, you might qualify for a repair or replacement.