Is it touch failure, a black screen, or Face ID?
A visible image with no response to taps or swipes points to touch input. Note whether the whole display, one fixed area, one app, or only charging conditions are affected. A repeatable pattern is more useful than tapping harder.
If the screen stays black and the phone will not start, use the separate power and black-screen guide. If the display and touch both work but Face ID will not unlock, use the Face ID checklist. This guide does not bypass the device passcode.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| What you see | Next path |
|---|---|
| Image visible, no touch anywhere | Restart, then check display and accessories |
| One fixed region or edge fails | Remove a protector and retest; seek service if it persists |
| No image or startup response | Check power and the black-screen guide |
| Only Face ID fails | Check Face ID settings and passcode prompts |
Restart normally if possible; force restart only when unresponsive
If touch still lets you shut down normally, restart that way first. If iPhone does not respond and cannot be turned off, Apple says to follow the force-restart sequence for the exact model. On supported newer models, press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Older Home-button models have different steps; use Apple's model guide.
A force restart is a restart, not a factory reset. After boot, test the lock screen, Home Screen and a familiar app. Record whether the problem returns with a particular charger, accessory, app or region of the display.
- Identify the model and confirm the physical buttons work.
- Use Apple's model-specific force-restart instructions if normal shutdown is impossible.
- After boot, retest the previously unresponsive area before changing anything else.
Check moisture, debris, charging gear and protectors
For intermittent touch response, Apple advises restarting, keeping the screen clean and free of debris or water, disconnecting Lightning or USB-C accessories, and removing cases or screen protectors. Change one condition at a time so you can tell what helped.
If touch works after disconnecting an accessory, Apple suggests trying another outlet, cable or charger. Before cleaning, unplug and turn off the iPhone; Apple's cleaning guidance calls for a slightly damp lint-free cloth and avoiding moisture in openings. If the device was exposed to liquid, follow Apple's liquid-contact guidance before charging again.
- Remove visible droplets or debris from the display.
- Disconnect charging and other wired accessories; retest touch.
- Remove the case and protector temporarily; test the affected region.
- Record which single change, if any, restored response.
When to back up and arrange service
If touch still fails after a restart and accessory checks, or the same area repeatedly does not respond, Apple says service may be needed. Stop pressing a cracked display or using a phone with liquid damage, deformation or unusual heat; do not open the device for a trial repair.
If touch works long enough to unlock the phone, check the last successful backup and preserve important data before service. Do not select Erase All Content and Settings or Restore on a computer merely to test a screen without a usable backup. If you cannot unlock or operate the phone, tell Apple or an authorized provider what still works and when the last backup succeeded; data recovery cannot be guaranteed.
- Record model, iOS version, failed region and whether the problem depends on charging or a protector.
- Back up accessible data before service or any destructive restore.
- Describe cracks, liquid contact or abnormal heat to the service provider.