iPhone Screen Flickering? Causes, Fixes & Repair Costs (2026)

Did You Know?

Quick answer: Screen flickering is usually caused by software glitches (try a force restart first), a loose display cable (£39 fix), or a failing display (£79-289 replacement). If flickering started after a drop, it's likely physical damage.

Your iPhone screen is flashing, flickering, or showing random brightness changes. Maybe there are horizontal lines, a greenish tint, or the display cuts in and out. This is different from a touch screen that won't respond — you can see flickering even when you're not touching the phone.

Let's figure out what's causing it and whether you can fix it yourself or need professional help.

What Screen Flickering Looks Like

iPhone screen flickering presents in several ways, and the type helps diagnose the cause:

• Brightness fluctuating — Screen gets brighter and dimmer randomly (often software)
• Rapid flashing — Display blinks on and off quickly (cable or hardware)
• Horizontal/vertical lines — Coloured lines across the screen (display damage)
• Green line on edge — Vertical green line, usually on right side (OLED failure)
• Colour tint flickering — Screen shifts between normal and greenish/pinkish (panel failure)
• Black flashes — Screen briefly goes black then returns (connection or software)

Common Causes of iPhone Screen Flickering

Software Issues (~25% of cases)

Software glitches can cause display flickering, especially after iOS updates or when certain apps are running. The good news: these are free to fix.

• iOS bugs (particularly after updates)
• App conflicts with display settings
• Auto-Brightness or True Tone malfunctions
• Corrupted display calibration data

Hardware Issues (~75% of cases)

Most flickering is hardware-related. The severity determines the repair cost.

• Loose display cable — Connection between screen and logic board is loose (common after drops)
• Damaged display cable — The ribbon cable is physically damaged
• Display IC failure — The chip controlling the display is failing
• OLED panel degradation — The display itself is dying
• Water damage — Moisture affecting display components

Software Fixes to Try First

Before assuming hardware failure, try these free fixes. They solve about 25% of flickering cases.

1. Force Restart

This clears temporary software glitches:

• iPhone 8 and newer: Volume Up, Volume Down, hold Side button until Apple logo
• iPhone 7: Hold Volume Down + Side button together
• iPhone 6s and older: Hold Home + Side button together

2. Disable Auto-Brightness

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size and turn off Auto-Brightness. If flickering stops, auto-brightness may be malfunctioning.

3. Disable True Tone

Go to Settings → Display & Brightness and turn off True Tone. This feature adjusts colour temperature based on ambient light — a faulty sensor can cause flickering.

4. Update iOS

Go to Settings → General → Software Update. Some iOS versions have display bugs that Apple patches in updates.

5. Reset All Settings

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Reset → Reset All Settings. This doesn't delete data but resets all preferences including display calibration.

6. Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, a factory reset via iTunes/Finder rules out all software causes. Back up first. If flickering persists after a clean restore, it's definitely hardware.

Hardware Causes

Loose Display Cable

The most common hardware cause, especially if flickering started after a drop. The ribbon cable connecting the display to the logic board can come loose. Symptoms: intermittent flickering that gets worse when you flex or tap the phone.

Fix: Professional reseating of the display connector — £39 at celltech.

Display IC Failure

The integrated circuit that controls the display can fail, especially on older phones. Symptoms: consistent flickering regardless of settings or restarts, often accompanied by touch issues.

Fix: Board-level repair to replace the IC — £89-149.

OLED Panel Failure

OLED displays can degrade over time or fail from physical stress. The "green line of death" (a bright green vertical line) is a common OLED failure symptom.

Fix: Screen replacement — £79-289 depending on model and quality tier.

Model-Specific Issues

iPhone X/XS — Green Line of Death

A known OLED failure where a bright green line appears on one edge of the screen. It's not fixable — requires complete screen replacement. Often covered by Apple if within extended warranty programs.

iPhone 11/11 Pro — Touch IC Issues

Some iPhone 11 models have reported display flickering related to the touch/display controller. Apple acknowledged this and offered repairs for affected devices.

iPhone 12/13 — Post-Update Flickering

Some users reported flickering after iOS 17 updates. Apple released patches, so ensure you're on the latest iOS version.

When Professional Repair Is Needed

Seek professional help when:

• All software fixes have failed
• Flickering started after dropping the phone
• Green lines have appeared
• Flickering is getting progressively worse
• Touch screen is also affected
• Phone has water damage history

UK Repair Costs

Pro Tip

Diagnosis is free — We'll determine the exact cause before quoting. If it turns out to be a simple cable reseat, you pay £39 not the full screen replacement price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will flickering damage my iPhone permanently?

The flickering itself won't cause additional damage, but the underlying cause often worsens over time. A loose cable can eventually disconnect completely. A failing display can progress to complete failure. Address it sooner rather than later.

Can I still use my iPhone with a flickering screen?

Yes, but it may cause eye strain and headaches from the constant flashing. More importantly, if the cause is a loose cable, continued use could lead to complete display failure.

Why does my screen flicker more when it's cold/hot?

Temperature affects metal and solder. A loose connection may connect better when warm (metal expands) or worse when cold (metal contracts). This is a strong indicator of a hardware connection issue rather than the display itself.