Has your iPad Pro been acting possessed lately? Do apps seem to randomly open and pages start scrolling when you’re not even touching the screen? You may be dealing with those dreaded ghost touches.
Ghost touches, also known as phantom touches, are a common issue with the iPad Pro where the touchscreen registers input along the edges or over the entire display without actually being touched. This can be incredibly frustrating as it causes apps to open unexpectedly, typing when you’re not touching the keyboard, and other erratic behavior.
DIY Repair Guide: How to Permanently Fix iPad Pro Ghost Touches
If your iPad Pro is tapping and swiping like a poltergeist, don’t panic. In most cases, ghost touches can be fixed with a few targeted troubleshooting steps. In this guide, you’ll discover why iPad Pro screens sometimes act on their own and how to fix it. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of these frustrating ghost touches from your iPad Pro screen for good.
What Causes iPad Pro Ghost Touches?
Ghost touches on your iPad Pro’s display can stem from various factors, ranging from hardware-related problems to software glitches. Understanding these causes is crucial to applying the right fixes.
- Faulty Digitizer: The digitizer is the touch-sensitive layer underneath the glass display. If this component becomes damaged or defective, it can register touches incorrectly. This is most likely to occur along the edges or over frequently used areas.
- Software Bug: Sometimes a bug in iOS can cause the touchscreen to act erratically and register phantom touches. A software update from Apple usually resolves this type of issue.
- Debris on the Screen: Dust, dirt, or sand particles on the glass display can interfere with the touch recognition.
- Electromagnetic Interference: Strong electromagnetic interference caused by other devices can disrupt the touchscreen signal leading to ghost touches. This tends to be more common when using the iPad Pro with accessories like magnetic covers.
- Incompatible Charging Cables: Using non-certified charging cables might result in electromagnetic interference, leading to ghost touches during charging.
- Background Apps Overload: Too many running background apps can overwhelm the system and cause erratic touch behavior.
Troubleshooting iPad Pro Ghost Touches
If you’re experiencing ghost touches on your iPad Pro display, here are some steps to help resolve the issue.
1. Restart the iPad Pro
Restarting your iPad Pro is one of the simplest first troubleshooting steps to try when experiencing ghost touches or phantom input. A restart will clear out any temporary glitches, bugs, or memory leaks that may be causing the touchscreen to act erratically.
Follow these steps to restart your iPad Pro:
- Press and hold the Power and either volume buttons until the “Slide to power off” prompt appears on screen.
- Swipe the on-screen slider to turn off your iPad Pro completely.
- Once the screen turns off, give it around 30 seconds before turning on your iPad Pro.
- Once the iPad Pro has fully rebooted and reached the Home screen, test the touchscreen for phantom touches.
Restarting resets the iPad Pro’s software and hardware, essentially giving the touchscreen a clean slate. If ghost touches were being caused by a minor system bug or memory issue, a restart should clear things up. Try using your iPad as you normally would for at least 15 minutes to see if the phantom touches have gone away.
2. Check for Software Updates
Updating to the most recent iOS version can frequently address ghost touching problems stemming from software glitches. Apple is continually optimizing the iPadOS operating system and releasing fixes for bugs affecting the touchscreen and user interface.
To check for pending software updates:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad Pro’s home screen.
- Tap on the “General” section.
- Choose the “Software Update” option.
- If an update is available, you will see the latest iOS version with an option to “Download and Install”.
- Tap this and follow the on-screen prompts to download the update over WiFi and install it on your iPad Pro.
- The update process may take several minutes depending on your internet connection speed. Your iPad will need to restart to finish installing the update.
- Once finished, test your iPad Pro’s touchscreen again to see if the phantom touches are resolved by the software update. Updates often contain bug fixes and optimizations for the touchscreen digitizer.
3. Reset All Settings
Resetting all settings can help resolve ghost touch issues caused by problematic settings or configuration conflicts. This troubleshooting step clears out various settings and returns them to defaults without erasing any of your data or content.
To reset your iPad Pro’s settings:
- Open the Settings app and tap “General”.
- Scroll down and choose “Reset”.
- Tap on the “Reset All Settings” option.
- Enter your passcode.
- Tap “Reset All Settings” again to confirm.
Resetting all settings will restore various system settings to their defaults without affecting your downloaded apps, data, media, or other content. This can fix configuration issues causing erratic touchscreen behavior.
After resetting settings, you may need to reconfigure some aspects like your wallpaper, notifications, app preferences, and more. Test the touchscreen thoroughly to determine if resetting the iPad Pro’s settings has resolved the phantom touches.
4. Clean the Screen
Use a microfiber cloth to clean the iPad Pro screen surface. Inspect for physical damage. A cracked or damaged display may need professional repair.
To properly clean your iPad Pro’s display:
- Power off your iPad to prevent any unintended input while cleaning.
- Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth designed for cleaning screens and camera lenses. Avoid paper towels or other materials that could scratch the glass.
- If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water or a dedicated screen cleaning solution. Do not directly spray the iPad.
- Gently wipe the iPad Pro display in a circular motion to loosen and lift away any dust or particles. Concentrate on the edges and corners where debris accumulates.
- Use the dry portion of the microfiber cloth to remove any moisture and finish cleaning the screen.
- Allow the screen to fully dry before powering the iPad back on.
- Power on your iPad Pro and test for ghost touches. Check if properly cleaning the screen has resolved any phantom input issues.
Be very gentle when cleaning the display. Do not use excessive pressure or abrasive materials that could scratch the glass.
5. Disconnect the Charging Cable
Using aftermarket or counterfeit lightning charging cables that are not MFi certified by Apple can also cause interference leading to ghost touches.
The iPad Pro’s touchscreen digitizer is designed to work optimally with Apple’s official lightning cables. Non-certified third party cables may not properly shield electromagnetic interference that can disrupt the digitizer signal.
Symptoms like ghost touches tend to occur most frequently while the iPad is plugged into a power source with an incompatible low quality cable. The electrical noise interferes with the precise touch input registration.
Sticking to Apple certified lightning cables, whether the included cable or spares purchased directly from Apple, can prevent this issue. Avoid using generic discount cables from unknown brands to charge your iPad Pro.
If you are experiencing ghost touches primarily when your iPad is charging, switch to an official Apple lightning cable to see if this resolves the problem. Properly shielded cables will not interfere with the touchscreen signal.
Consider replacing any third party cables with lightning cables directly from Apple, which are engineered to work flawlessly with your iPad Pro’s hardware. This may prevent frustrating phantom touches while charging your device.
6. Contact Apple Support
If you have tried all the recommended troubleshooting steps but are still experiencing frequent ghost touches on your iPad Pro, it’s time to enlist help from the experts at Apple.
Reach out to Apple Support by phone, through live chat, or by scheduling an appointment at an Apple Store to receive hands-on assistance and troubleshooting guidance.
Apple Support can run diagnostic tests to pinpoint hardware issues like a defective digitizer and determine if a repair or replacement is needed. They have internal tools and processes for thoroughly testing the iPad Pro’s touchscreen and identifying faults.
In some cases, Apple may offer a free repair or replacement if the iPad is still under warranty. For out of warranty devices, fees may apply for screen and digitizer replacement depending on the issue.
