If your iPhone or iPad screen is not functioning properly and is shaking continuously or randomly, learn what you should do if it disrupts your workflow.

The shaking of the iPhone screen can be caused by software errors (which can be easily fixed) or hardware problems (which require taking your iPhone to a service center).

If the problem is software-related, the following solutions will help you. If the issue is caused by something else, repairing the screen or the faulty part (or fixing it yourself) is your only option.

Are you confusing screen flashing with shaking?

First of all, if you notice the screen flashing during phone calls and notifications, this is not a problem; it is a lesser-known feature that someone using your phone may have accidentally activated. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Flash for Alerts and turn it off.

Is the screen only shaking in a specific app?

If the screen is only shaking in one app, follow these steps:

  • Close and reopen the app
  • Update from the App Store
  • Check if any in-app settings are enabled that may cause the screen to shake by design
  • Delete and reinstall the app
  • Contact the app developer directly for assistance

Restart or force restart your iPhone

No matter what the issue is, if you can interact with the screen, turn off your iPhone and turn it back on. If touching the screen does nothing, force restart your iPhone using the physical buttons.

If it's too hot, wait for it to cool down

If you are outside on a sunny day or in a car without air conditioning and your iPhone is very hot, you may notice a decrease in screen refresh rate and brightness, system lag, and sometimes temporary screen malfunctions. Keep your iPhone in a cool place or turn it off for 5 minutes. This simple step should resolve your screen shaking issues.

Try turning off Always On Display, Auto Brightness, and Transparency

Some online user reports suggest that turning off these features may resolve screen shaking issues. Try:

  • Turn off AOD: Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display.
  • Turn off Auto Brightness and Transparency: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.

Update to the latest version of iOS

If your iPhone is running an older version of iOS or if turning off one of the features above resolves your issue, software bugs are likely the source of the problem. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest available iOS version for your phone. You can also use your Mac or PC to update your iOS device.

Erase and set up your iPhone again

If the above software solutions did not work, resetting your iPhone to factory settings may help. However, before doing this, you should understand that if your screen issue worsens beyond shaking, you may have difficulty setting up your erased iPhone.

Additionally, even if the iPhone screen is shaking or cracked, there are ways to use it by mirroring to another device or connecting to a monitor. However, you may not be able to do this if the phone data is erased and you cannot set it up by touching the screen.

Therefore, I recommend backing up all your iPhone data (also try to find a backup iPhone if possible) and then proceed with the factory reset process from Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. You can also use recovery mode to erase the device using a Mac or Windows PC.

Get your device checked at an Apple Store

Finally, if nothing helps, the problem must definitely be hardware-related. Perhaps the screen cable connected to the iPhone's motherboard is loose, or there is a hardware problem causing the screen to shake (this causes green, white, or vertical lines on the iPhone screen).

Take your faulty iPhone to an Apple Store or an authorized service center for inspection. If there are no visible cracks on the screen and your iPhone is under warranty, you may receive free repairs.

Alternatively, if you have basic technical knowledge of smartphone repairs, explore Apple's self-service program.

Were you able to solve the problem?