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iPhone Randomly Opening Apps (Causes and How to Fix)

As an iPhone owner, I was incredibly frustrated when my apps began randomly opening without me doing anything. I had no idea why this was happening or how to fix it. After some research and testing, I’m here to share what I’ve discovered about the causes of iPhone randomly opening apps, as well as some potential solutions.

Ghost touch can cause your iPhone to randomly open apps, type letters, and be the reason for delayed responses from your touchscreen.

While this can be a nuisance, don’t fret! In this article, we’ll share some potential causes and solutions to this problem.

  1. Restart Phone

If your ghost touch issues stem from a software glitch, restarting your iPhone can be a simple yet effective method to try. The way to restart your iPhone depends on the model you have

If your phone has become unresponsive and you aren’t able to perform a restart, you can try a force restart.

How to Restart iPhone (13, 12, 11, or X)

For older models, please refer to Apple’s instructions linked here.

  1. Press keeping holding one of the volume buttons. Do so until the power-off slider appears
  2. Next, drag that power-off slider
  3. Wait for your device to turn off
  4. Turn your device back on by pressing and holding the button on the right-side

How to Force Restart Your iPhone

For older models, please refer to Apple’s instructions linked here.

  1. Press and release the volume up button
  2. Press and release the volume down button
  3. Press and hold the right-side button
  4. Let go of the right-side button once the Apple logo appears

    2. Close Background Apps

Your phone’s Random Access Memory (RAM) could be overloaded from too many open applications, which can also cause ghost touch issues.

How to Close Background Apps

  1. Press home button
  2. Swipe right or left to choose the app you want to close
  3. Once you find the app, swipe up from the bottom toward the top

    3. Check Accessibility Settings  

Some accessibility settings change the way your device responds to touch.

How to Change Your Accessibility Settings

  1. Open Settings > Accessibility
  2. Make sure these settings are turned off:
  • Touch accommodations
  • Assistive touch
  • Back tap

    4. Update iOS

Apple addresses known bugs with its updates, so updating your iOS could solve this problem.

Here’s how you can update your iOS: 

  • Open Settings > General > Software Update

    5. Perform a Factory Reset

You could try a factory reset which removes all of the existing data and restores your device to its original state.

Before you do this, it’s essential to determine if you want to back up your data. Find the instructions for that here.

How to Factory Reset Your iPhone

  1. Open Settings > General > Reset or Transfer Device
  2. Enter your unique passcode or Apple ID password
  3. Wait a few minutes for the data to be erased

    6. Dirty or Damaged Touchscreen 

If dust, dirt, or even sweat accumulates on your screen, they could be a source of ghost touch issues by triggering a response from your device.

How to Clean Your iPhone’s Touchscreen

  1. Unplug any accessories or wires
  2. Use a damp microfiber or lint-free cloth
  3. Use distilled water or screen cleaner solution
  4. Wipe gently from one end to the other
  5. Don’t use rubbing alcohol or household cleaners; this may damage your screen

If your touchscreen has cracks or physical damage, this is likely to be a factor. In this case, you should replace your screen at a certified Apple repair center.

   7. Phone Case Problems

Your case may be applying too much pressure on your phone, causing it to trigger responses from your touchscreen. For cases with built-in screen protectors, this could increase complications by encouraging moisture and dirt to be trapped on your screen. 

You can remedy this by removing your case, cleaning your screen, and observing if the problem persists.

   8. Dirty or Damaged Screen Protector 

Screen protectors can cause disruptions with your touchscreen if there’s dirt or air bubbles on them. If that’s the case, you’ll need to remove your old protector and install a new one on a clean screen.

However, these are made of either plastic or glass, and you should be careful when removing them. 

How to Remove Your Screen Protector

  1. Apply low heat from a blow dryer to soften the adhesive
  2. Start on one corner and pull slowly
  3. Clean your touchscreen of any foreign material that may be left behind 

   9. Accessories and Charger Problems

If your phone’s screen only acts up when it’s plugged in, an electrical connection may be contributing to your ghost touch concerns.

If you’ve been charging through a wall socket, you can try plugging your phone into another device like your laptop or a power bank to see if a grounding issue could be a contributing factor.

Ghost touch is more apparent if you are using any chargers, wires, or accessories that are uncertified or counterfeit. Only use certified accessories that are compatible with your iPhone.  

   10. Previous Repair Error

Have you taken your iPhone to the repair shop recently? It could be that while fixing your phone, the repair person created a loose connection, damaged a cable, or screwed things too tightly, all of which can cause ghost touch problems. 

You should take your iPhone only to official Apple repair centers because they have the necessary tools and quality testing that third-party repair shops may not have.

Conclusion

Read more: Face ID not working after water

Ghost touch has affected many iPhone users; thankfully, there are several easy fixes you can try at home.

Hopefully, one of the solutions works for you, but if you’ve tried everything and your phone continues to malfunction, please get in touch with Apple or visit an official Apple repair center.

Read more: is it ok to fully charge iPhone?