Fix Unresponsive Touchscreen on iOS 18 iPhones

 If your iPhone touchscreen suddenly stops responding after updating to iOS 18, you’re not alone. Many users report lag, delayed taps, or complete freezes — especially right after installing a major update. Here’s how to fix an unresponsive touchscreen on any iPhone running iOS 18, step by step.


1. Clean and Inspect Your Screen

Before diving into software fixes, make sure the problem isn’t physical.

  • Remove your screen protector and wipe the display with a microfiber cloth.

  • Check for cracks, moisture, or debris around the edges.

  • If the iPhone feels warm, let it cool down — heat can temporarily disable touch sensitivity.

📍If the screen starts working after cleaning, the issue was likely interference from dirt or the protector.


2. Force Restart Your iPhone

If your screen is frozen or only responds partially, do a forced restart — it resets the touch system without deleting your data.

On iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone 15 series):

  1. Press and quickly release Volume Up.

  2. Press and quickly release Volume Down.

  3. Hold Side (Power) button until the Apple logo appears.

Let the device reboot fully and test the touchscreen again.


3. Remove Problematic Apps or Widgets

Some apps or widgets built for older iOS versions can conflict with iOS 18’s new gesture layer.

  1. Press and hold any app icon → Tap Remove App.

  2. Restart the iPhone.

  3. Reinstall only trusted apps from the App Store.

If the screen becomes responsive after this, one of the deleted apps was likely the trigger.


4. Reset Touch and Display Settings

Custom accessibility or display settings can affect how touch input is processed.

  1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch.

  2. Turn off AssistiveTouch, Haptic Touch, or Touch Accommodations temporarily.

  3. Then go to Settings → Display & Brightness → True Tone and toggle it off.

Recheck the touchscreen behavior after each adjustment.


5. Update or Reinstall iOS 18

If your screen became unresponsive right after an update, it might be a system glitch.

To reinstall iOS 18 cleanly:

  1. Connect iPhone to a Mac or PC with iTunes/Finder.

  2. Click your device name → Select Check for Update.

  3. If available, click Update or Restore iPhone (choose Update first).

Wait until setup completes — this refreshes iOS 18 without erasing data.


6. Test Hardware Responsiveness in DFU Mode

If none of the steps above help, the touch IC (controller chip) or display connector might be failing.

  1. Connect the iPhone to your computer.

  2. Enter DFU Mode (Device Firmware Update):

    • Press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold Side until the screen turns black.

    • Keep holding Side + Volume Down for 5 seconds, then release Side while holding Volume Down for another 10 seconds.

  3. iTunes/Finder will detect your iPhone in DFU Mode.

If touch doesn’t respond even after a full restore, hardware service is needed.


OnePlus Tip

After every major iOS update, do a soft restart and settings reset before judging performance — leftover cache from older versions often causes lag or touch delay. For long-term stability, keep at least 15 % free storage and avoid low-quality charging cables that can interfere with screen grounding.

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