Is your iPhone 13 screen flickering randomly or flashing during use? You’re not alone. While screen flickering might seem like a hardware defect, it’s often triggered by software bugs—especially after iOS updates. Before assuming the worst, try these practical solutions to rule out the common causes and hopefully fix the issue without heading to a repair center.
Force Restart Your iPhone 13
A quick force restart can clear out minor system glitches that may be behind the flickering.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
After your phone reboots, use it normally and check if the flickering stops.
Adjust Display Brightness and Turn Off Auto-Brightness
Sometimes the screen flickers due to erratic behavior from the brightness sensor or related display features.
Lower the Brightness:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Drag the brightness slider to the left to reduce it.
Disable Auto-Brightness:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Scroll down and toggle off Auto-Brightness.
Observe the screen again. If the flickering stops, one of these features was likely the culprit.
Free Up Storage Space
Running low on storage can cause all kinds of weird behavior, including flickering.
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- If you have less than 5GB free, delete unused apps, offload media, or transfer files to your computer or iCloud.
After cleaning up space, give your phone a quick reboot and check again.
Reset All Settings
If flickering is caused by misconfigured settings or display tweaks, resetting all settings may help—without deleting your data.
- Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode, then confirm.
This will reset system settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and display settings to default but won’t erase your personal data.
Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If nothing else has worked, doing a full factory reset may eliminate deep software bugs—especially if the flickering started after a recent iOS update.
🔄 Make sure to back up your data first!
To factory reset:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode, then confirm and enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
Once the reset is done, set your iPhone up as new and test the screen before restoring from your backup.