Is your iPhone 12 acting like it’s being touched even when it’s not? You might be dealing with the infamous ghost touch problem. It can cause apps to open on their own, random screen actions, or completely erratic behavior. Most of the time, this is caused by software glitches, but in rare cases, it could be hardware-related.
Here’s how you can troubleshoot and (hopefully) fix ghost touch issues on your iPhone 12.
Close All Background Apps
Sometimes, resource-heavy apps—especially games—can overload your phone and mess with the touchscreen response.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
- You’ll see all the apps running in the background.
- Swipe up on each app to close it.
Now use your phone for a bit and check if the ghost touch issue is gone.
Force Restart Your iPhone 12
A quick reboot can clear out temporary glitches in memory that might be causing the screen to go haywire.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Then quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Immediately press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
Let your phone reboot and test for ghost touches again.
Check for a Software Update
Apple sometimes releases iOS updates that fix known bugs—including touchscreen issues.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If an update is available, download and install it.
After installing the update, check if the screen behaves normally.
Reset All Settings
This resets system preferences without deleting your data. It can fix strange issues tied to system settings.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm the reset.
Your iPhone will restart. Check if the ghost touch issue is resolved.
Factory Reset Your iPhone
If the above steps didn’t work, a full reset might help. Back up your data first, as this will erase everything.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap Continue, then enter your passcode.
- Confirm your Apple ID password if prompted.
- Tap Erase iPhone to begin the reset.
Once it restarts, set up your iPhone as new and test the touchscreen before restoring your backup.
Still Having Ghost Touches? It Might Be Hardware
If the issue persists after a factory reset, it could be a hardware problem—possibly with the display or digitizer. At this point, it’s best to:
- Book a Genius Bar appointment
- Or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider
They can run diagnostics and check if a screen replacement or repair is needed.