If your iPhone’s screen is green, you may be facing the infamous iPhone Green Screen, aka the iPhone Green Screen of Death. That name makes it sound scary, but it’s not as bad as it sounds in most cases.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- If your iPhone screen is green, there are a few things you can try when troubleshooting the problem.
- First, try a force-restart. If that doesn’t work, you can update or reinstall the operating system.
- If you’re still having problems, you can always contact Apple support.
The iPhone Green Screen of Death rarely lives up to its name. The steps explained in this article can often fix it.
Note: While the tips and instructions in this article were written using iPhone 13, they apply to all iPhones that support iOS 17, including (but not limited to) iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 12, and iPhone 11.
What may cause the green screen on iPhone
The most likely cause of green screen of death issue on iPhone is a software issue, as many users have claimed they were affected after updating to iOS 17. Corrupted updates may cause issues like this one. If you only see the green screen in certain apps, it is obvious that the issue has to do with the app. This app may be incompatible or needs an update.
If software isn’t the culprit, the other most common cause of the green screen on an iPhone is a hardware failure. This may appear after your phone experiences an event. For example, if you drop your iPhone or get it wet, a green screen may appear, indicating that the screen has hardware issues. This can include:
- Display connector issues. They may be loose, broken, etc.
- Screen damage as a result of a drop or water exposure.
Sometimes, you may experience iPhone green screen of death issue due to a manufacturing defect. In other words, your device was somehow produced or assembled poorly or bad parts were used in your device. Defects in materials or workmanship can cause this. If the issue started occurring for no apparent reason, this could be the cause. Do not panic, though. Apple will fix the issue or replace your iPhone if your iPhone is still under warranty. Apple’s standard warranty lasts one year.
How to fix the iPhone green screen of death issue
As I stated above, the most likely cause of iPhone green screen of death issue is a software glitch. However, if it is a hardware problem, you are limited in what you can do other than taking it for repair. Whatever the cause of the iPhone Green Screen of Death on your phone, try these steps to fix it.
1. Ensure that your iPhone has the latest update
If the green screen issue on iPhone is indeed a software problem, there’s a good chance Apple has fixed it with an iOS update.
Go to Settings > **General **> Software Update.
2. Force-restart your iPhone
Often the best step to fix any iPhone problem is to restart the phone. In this case, you need a slightly more powerful restart called a force restart. This is like a restart but it doesn’t require you to be able to see or touch anything on your screen—which is key if you’ve got a green screen that won’t respond to taps. It also clears more of the iPhone’s memory (don’t worry, you won’t lose your data).
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. If you see the power-off slider, ignore it. Keep pushing the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
3. Update your apps
If you experience the green screen problem while using certain apps. Ensure that the app is up to date. If the problem continues, remove the app or contact its developer.
4. Try Recovery Mode and Restore From Backup
Another fix you can try when you experience the green screen issue on your iPhone is to put the phone into Recovery Mode. Recovery Mode is a powerful tool for getting around whatever software problems you may be having. It will let you reinstall the iOS and restore backed-up data onto the iPhone. To use it, you’ll need a Mac or a PC with iTunes installed on it and then to follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC with a Lightning cable
- Select Trust on your iPhone screen to allow the connection to your computer, then open Finder in macOS Catalina and later or iTunes for PCs/macOS Mojave and earlier
- Press and quickly release the volume up button
- Press and quickly release the volume down button
- Press and hold the side button until you see the recovery mode screen (computer cable icon)
- Select your iPhone in the left-hand sidebar of the Finder window
- Now you can choose to update or restore your iPhone.
5. Try DFU Mode
If you are facing the green screen issue on your iPhone after updating your device to the latest iOS 17 update, you might want to put your iPhone into DFU mode. [Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode is even more powerful than Recovery Mode. It lets you turn on the iPhone but prevents it from starting up the operating system, so you can make changes to the operating system itself. This is more complex and tricker, but it’s worth trying if nothing else has worked. To put your phone into DFU Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC with a Lightning cable
- Select Trust on your iPhone screen to allow the connection to your computer, then open Finder in macOS Catalina and later or iTunes for PCs/macOS Mojave and earlier
- Press and quickly release the volume up button
- Press and quickly release the volume down button
- Press and hold the side button for 10 seconds
- While continuing to hold the side button, press and hold the volume down button for 5 seconds
- Let go of the side button and continue holding the volume down button for an additional 10 seconds
- There is no computer icon when entering DFU mode — when you’ve properly entered it, your iPhone display should stay black. If the Apple logo appears, you did not perform the process correctly
- Follow the prompts on your computer to complete the device firmware update
- You can exit DFU mode by performing a force restart.
6. If None of This Works, Try Apple
In case the green screen issue persists on your iPhone, you’ve likely got an issue that you can’t fix. You should contact Apple support for further help.
FIQs
Why does my iPhone have a green screen?
The most likely cause of green screen of death issue on iPhone is a software issue, as many users have claimed they were affected after updating to iOS 17. Corrupted updates may cause issues like this one. — If software isn’t the culprit, the other most common cause of the green screen is the cable that connects the iPhone’s motherboard to its screen coming loose or breaking. In some cases, this is simply the result of a hardware failure over time. In others, the connector comes loose after the phone has been dropped too often.
Can I fix the green screen issue on my iPhone?
If the green screen issue on your iPhone is due to a software glitch, there is a possibility that you will be able to fix it on your own. However, if it is a hardware problem, you are limited in what you can do other than taking it for repair. It is always best to do the basic troubleshooting steps to address any possible software-related causes to see if it clears the problem.
How much does it cost to replace a screen on an iPhone?
The iPhone screen replacement cost will vary depending on your iPhone model and where you get the service. If you go straight to Apple and have an iPhone 13, iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 series device, prices range between $229 and $379. You only have to pay $29 if you have an Apple Care Plus plan, though.
Conclusion
That’s pretty much it! These are the best solutions to fix the green screen issue on your iPhone. Have you been affected by the random greenish screen effect with your iPhone? Let us know in the comments section below.