If your iPhone 8 Plus touchscreen has suddenly become sluggish or unresponsive, don’t panic—this guide will walk you through all the possible software fixes before you consider a trip to the repair shop. Whether the lag appeared after a system update, an app installation, or seemingly out of nowhere, here’s how to troubleshoot it.
Why Is My iPhone 8 Plus Touchscreen Lagging?
A slow or unresponsive screen usually boils down to one of two issues:
- Software-related problems, such as bugs, system crashes, or memory overload
- Hardware damage, typically caused by a drop, pressure, or moisture exposure
As long as your iPhone hasn’t suffered physical damage, you can likely fix it with the solutions below.
Solution 1: Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, all your iPhone needs is a fresh start.
Soft Reset (Standard Reboot):
- Press and hold the Side button until the “slide to power off” option appears.
- Slide to turn off the device.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo shows up.
Force Restart (If unresponsive):
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
This method clears minor bugs and frees up memory without deleting any data.
Solution 2: Adjust or Disable 3D Touch
The iPhone 8 Plus has a pressure-sensitive 3D Touch feature that can affect screen sensitivity.
To change its settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > 3D Touch
- Try adjusting the sensitivity to Light
- Or toggle it off completely to see if response improves
Solution 3: Check Available Storage
Running low on storage can slow down your phone’s responsiveness.
Check it here:
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- If storage is almost full, consider deleting unused apps or large files
Apps using too much space (especially media-heavy apps like video editors or games) can bog down system performance.
Solution 4: Remove Screen Protectors and Cases
Sometimes screen protectors or third-party cases can interfere with touch input.
- Remove any case or screen protector, especially those that are thick or don’t fit perfectly.
- Test the touchscreen again after removal.
Solution 5: Reset All Settings
If something in your settings is causing the problem but you’re not sure what, try this reset:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings
- Enter your passcode and confirm
This won’t delete personal data like photos or apps but will reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords and wallpapers.
Solution 6: Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If the problem persists, a full system reset may be necessary to rule out deeper software corruption.
Backup your data first via iCloud or iTunes.
Then:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings
- Confirm with your passcode
- Set up your device as new or restore from a backup
If you restore from backup and the issue returns, the backup might be corrupted. Try setting it up as a new iPhone to test.
Still Not Working? It Might Be Hardware
If your screen is still lagging or completely unresponsive after trying everything:
- Think back: Did you recently drop the phone? Was it exposed to moisture?
- If so, you may be dealing with a damaged digitizer or internal display connector.
In that case, it’s time to:
- Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider
- Have a technician inspect the screen hardware
iPhone 8 Plus screen replacements may still be covered under AppleCare+ if you’re eligible.
Preventative Tips Moving Forward
- Avoid filling up your storage
- Keep iOS updated to the latest version
- Only install trusted apps
- Remove screen protectors that affect touch sensitivity