How to Fix iPhone Grey Screen of Death [7 Methods]

Mighty iOS repair tool to fix any iOS/iPadOS system issue.

Many iPhone users may encounter a frustrating issue where their screen suddenly turns grey, resembling a black-and-white display. This problem can occur randomly or after updating to a new iOS version, and in some cases, the grey screen may appear intermittently.

If your iPhone screen has turned grey, don't worry — you're not alone. In this guide, we'll explain what causes the iPhone grey screen issue, why it happens, and how to fix it quickly and effectively.

iphone grey screen

Why Is My iPhone Screen Grey?
Video Guide: How to Fix iPhone Grey Screen?
How to Get Rid of the Grey Screen on iPhone
FAQs About iPhone Grey Screen of Death
Conclusion

Why Is My iPhone Screen Grey?

Before fixing the issue, it's important to understand what the iPhone grey screen problem actually is. A grey screen means your display appears in black, white, and shades of grey instead of full color — similar to a grayscale filter. So, why does your iPhone screen turn grey? Here are the most common causes:

01 Accidental Triple-Click of the Home Button: You may have accidentally pressed the Home button three times, which can enable Accessibility shortcuts like grayscale mode without you realizing it.
02 iOS System Bugs or Glitches: Sometimes, a software bug or system glitch can cause your iPhone screen to turn grey, especially after an iOS update.
03 Grayscale Mode Is Enabled: Your iPhone may have grayscale mode turned on in the Accessibility settings (Display & Text Size), which removes all colors from the screen.

Video Guide: How to Fix iPhone Grey Screen?

How to Get Rid of the Grey Screen on iPhone?

There are 7 ways to solve iPhone grey screen problem including using professional tools, factory resetting your iPhone, restoring your iPhone through iTunes, checking if the grayscale mode is enabled, force restarting your iPhone and updating the device to the latest version.

Method 1. Fix iPhone Grey Screen with Professional iOS System Recovery Tools

If your iPhone keeps recurring grey screen and you have tried every possible means to repair it, but they don't work. In this case, it is likely that the iOS system goes wrong, causing the grey screen mode to turn on unexpectedly. In this way, you have to use professional iOS system recovery tools such as TunesKit iOS System Recovery, a software to get rid of the iPhone grey screen problem for good.

One-Click Fix for iPhone Grey Screen of Death

TunesKit iOS System Recovery quickly resolves system issues and restores your screen to normal.

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How to fix iPhone grey screen with TunesKit iOS System Recovery?

To use the application to fix iPhone grey screen issue, you just need following three steps:

Step 1Connect devices

Firstly, open TunesKit iOS System Recovery for Windows on your computer. Then you have to connect your iPhone till it's detected. Next, choose click the iOS System Repair button from the homepage and then click the Start button to start the repair process.

connect ios device

Step 2Enter repair mode

Choose a repair mode from Standard Repair and Deep Repair. Read the instructions about the two repair mode and choose the one you need. Standard Repair is the recommended one and you should back up your iPhone data if you choose the Deep Repair mode.

select standard mode

Step 3Download firmware package

The application will download the firmware package matched to your device. Before that, you have to make sure the device info is correct, including the model version, iOS version, etc. You can correct it if there's anything wrong. If all information is correct, click the Download and it will start downloading and verifying the firmware.

download firmware

Step 4Fix iPhone grey screen of death

When the firmware has been downloaded successfully, you just click the Repair button and the program will automatically begin to fix your iPhone. Don't disconnect your device until the process is completed.

fix iphone grey screen

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Method 2. Factory Reset Your iPhone

Usually, if the problem that grey screen iPhone occurs, a factory reset can fix the problem on iPhone, because it can remove some settings that cause the grey screen. But this method will remove all data of your iPhone. So you are suggested to backup data before you factory reset your iPhone.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, and tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings option.
Step 3. Tap the Continue button, enter your lock screen password and Apple Account password if prompted, and confirm that you want to erase your iPhone.

Method 3. Restore Your iPhone by Virtue of iTunes

If the above method doesn't work, then you are suggested to try to restore your iPhone in iTunes. It is a mighty method to fix the iPhone grey screen problem. If you don't mind the data loss, you can follow following steps:

Step 1. Open the iTunes and connect your iPhone to the computer.
Step 2. Click the iPhone icon when the iPhone appears in the iTunes successfully.
Step 3. Click Restore iPhone in the column of Summary.
Step 4. Click Restore again to make sure the process works well and then iTunes will restore the device connected to the factory settings.

Method 4. Turn Off Color Filters

Sometimes you managed to turn on the grayscale mode accidentally in which way it can also cause the grey screen error. Do the following simple steps to turn it off.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap the Accessibility option.
Step 2. Tap the Display & Text Size, select Color Filters, and switch it off.

Method 5. Force Restart Your iPhone to Fix iPhone Grey Screen

It is evident that above methods to fix the issue about grey screen on iPhone don't work if you have read here. But don't worry! Force restarting your iPhone can also help you.

For iPhone 8 and later: Please press briefly and quickly release the volume up button first and then the volume down button. Finally push and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Tap and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons until the Apple logo appears.
For iPhone 6 and former: Press the Power and Home buttons until the Apple logo is shown on the interface.

force restart iphone

Method 6. Update Your iPhone to the Latest Version

Updating your iPhone to the latest version can remove some bugs that lead to the problem of grey screen. To update your iPhone, following steps are needed.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your device and then click General.
Step 2. Then the next step is Software Update.
Step 3. If you are required to update you iPhone, tap Update Now button to finish the process.

Method 7. Reset All Settings on iPhone

To fix iPhone grey screen, resetting all settings on iPhone is also a feasible way. Resetting all settings on iPhone will not cause any data loss but will set the settings back to the factory settings, including Wi-Fi, screen settings, display settings, etc. The following steps will show you how to reset all settings on your iPhone.

Step 1. Open Settings on your device and select General.
Step 2. Select the General option and scroll down to hit on the Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 3. Click on the Reset All Settings to reset settings on iPhone.

FAQs About iPhone Grey Screen of Death

Does overheating cause the Grey Screen?
Yes. If an iPhone exceeds its safe operating temperature, it may trigger a protective state. This can sometimes result in the screen dimming significantly or turning a flat grey color to reduce power consumption and heat. If your phone feels hot, turn it off and let it cool down for 30 minutes before attempting a restart.
When should I contact Apple Support?
If you have tried a force restart, checked your grayscale settings, and used a system recovery tool, but the screen remains grey, the LCD/OLED panel or the motherboard likely needs a physical repair. Contact Apple or an authorized technician to check for loose display cables.
What are the signs that it's a hardware problem?
If you see any of the following, the issue is likely physical rather than software:
Flickering: The grey screen pulses or has vertical lines.
Impact: The grey screen appeared immediately after a drop.
Pressure Sensitivity: The screen returns to normal only when you press down hard on the display (this indicates a loose internal connector).

Conclusion

The iPhone grey screen of death can be frustrating, but it's usually fixable with the right approach. From checking accessibility settings to performing a system reset, most issues can be resolved quickly. For a fast, safe, and reliable solution without data loss, TunesKit iOS System Recovery is your go-to tool. It can repair iOS system glitches, restore your screen to normal, and get your iPhone back to full functionality in minutes.