A growing number of iPhone 16 Pro users are reporting touchscreen issues, where taps and swipes are intermittently ignored. This problem, which has been noted by several users across social media and online forums, affects various interactions, from scrolling and pressing buttons to typing on the virtual keyboard. The issue has sparked frustration among early adopters of Apple’s latest flagship phone.
The reports, which have come in since the device’s release, suggest that the touchscreen occasionally fails to recognize user input accurately. For example, some users have experienced missed touches when simply trying to scroll through an app or type a message. This can make basic tasks like navigating apps or typing on the keyboard frustratingly unreliable.
Software Bug Likely to Blame
Early investigations into the issue, including tests conducted by 9to5Mac and feedback from users, indicate that the problem is likely caused by a software bug rather than a hardware defect. Specifically, the issue seems to stem from iOS’s accidental touch rejection algorithm, which is intended to prevent unintended touches from being registered. However, this algorithm appears to be overly sensitive on the iPhone 16 Pro, leading to the rejection of legitimate taps and swipes.
The bug seems to manifest when users inadvertently touch the edges of the screen, triggering the accidental touch rejection. Given the iPhone 16 Pro’s thinner bezels, it’s easier for a small sliver of skin to make contact with the screen, even when users don’t realize it. This unintended contact can cause the phone to ignore subsequent touches for a short period, leading to missed inputs.
Affected Areas and Scenarios
Some users have pointed out that the issue is more noticeable when their fingers rest near the camera control, located on the right-hand side of the screen. However, reports suggest that the problem isn’t limited to any one area of the screen and can occur along all four edges.
Interestingly, the problem seems to be exacerbated when the phone is used without a case. Without the physical buffer of a case, it’s easier for users to unintentionally rest their fingers along the slim screen edges, triggering the touch rejection algorithm. While this can still happen with a case on, it appears to occur less frequently.
Awaiting a Fix from Apple
The issue has been observed on devices running both iOS 18 and the iOS 18.1 beta, leading many to believe that a software update from Apple could resolve the problem. It’s worth noting that the issue doesn’t appear when the phone is locked or idle, only surfacing when users are actively interacting with their phones.
As of now, Apple has not issued an official statement addressing the problem, but many users are hopeful that a fix will be included in a future software update. With the iPhone 16 Pro being among Apple’s most advanced devices, a swift resolution is expected to ensure user satisfaction.
If you’re experiencing similar issues with your iPhone 16 Pro, you’re not alone. You can report your experience to Apple or share it in online forums to help bring more attention to the problem while awaiting a potential software fix.