How to Fix iPhone White Screen of Death in 7 Ways

Updated by Brian Davis on Sep 9, 2026 • Category: iOS Repair
10 mins read

Is your iPhone stuck on a completely white screen and no longer responding to taps or button presses? This issue is commonly known as the iPhone white screen of death. It may occur because of an iOS glitch, a failed software update, insufficient storage, or a hardware problem.

Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot it. In this guide, we'll walk you through 7 practical ways to fix the iPhone white screen of death, starting with simple methods that won't erase your data.

iphone white screen

Why Does iPhone Show a White Screen of Death?

The iPhone white screen of death usually appears when the device gets stuck on a blank white screen and stops responding normally. The problem can be caused by either software errors or hardware damage. Common causes include:

  • 01 Failed or Interrupted iOS Update: If an iOS update cannot complete properly, system files may fail to load and leave the iPhone stuck on a white screen.
  • 02 iOS or System Crash: Temporary iOS glitches, corrupted system files, or serious software crashes can prevent the interface from loading correctly.
  • 03 Insufficient Storage: Extremely low available storage can affect system performance and may contribute to crashes, especially during an iOS update.
  • 04 Jailbreaking Errors: Failed jailbreak attempts or incompatible system modifications can damage important iOS components and cause startup problems.
  • 05 Hardware Damage: A damaged display, loose screen connector, or logic board problem may also cause a white screen, particularly after a drop, liquid exposure, or improper repair.

Now that you know the possible causes, try the following solutions to fix the iPhone white screen of death.


7 Ways to Fix iPhone White Screen of Death

If your iPhone is stuck on a white screen, start with the simplest fixes first. Some methods below won't affect your data, while Recovery Mode or a factory reset may erase the device, depending on the option you choose.

Solution 1. Check Whether Screen Zoom Is Enabled

Sometimes, your iPhone may only look like it is stuck on a white screen because the Accessibility Zoom feature has magnified a white area of the display.

Double-tap the screen with three fingers. If the normal screen returns, go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and turn Zoom off to prevent it from happening again.

turn off zoom

Solution 2. Force Restart Your iPhone

Generally, the simplest step to fix common iPhone problems is to force restart your devices such as iPhone white screen of death or others. Even if you cannot see or touch anything on your screen, this operation can also be carried out, which is the key point when your iPhone's screen shows completely white. By taking this step, most of the memory of your device may be cleared as well.

  • To fix iPhone 6 white screen of death or earlier models: Press and hold the Sleep button and then the Home button at the same time. Keep holding the two buttons for about 14 seconds. Let release the buttons once the Apple logo appears on the screen.
  • To fix iPhone 7 or 7 Plus white screen of death: Hold the Volum down button and the Sleep button simultaneously. Release it until you see the screen flashes and the Apple logo shows up.
  • To fix white screen of death iPhone 8 or later: Press the Volume Up button and release. Do the same process with the Volume Down button. Then hold down the Side button until your device restarts. Release the button when you see the Apple logo.

hard reboot iphone

Solution 3. Update iOS

If your iPhone works normally again after restarting but the white screen keeps returning, an iOS bug may be responsible. Installing the latest software available for your device can fix known system errors and improve stability.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Update Now button to download and install the latest update.

ios 27 beta 8

Solution 4. Fix iPhone White Screen Without Data Loss with TunesKit

When you encounter iPhone white screen of death, then it's advisable to rely on an efficient iOS system repairing tool. Here we'll show you such a compressive program called TunesKit iOS System Recovery. It is designed to fix almost all iOS system issues efficiently whether your iPhone is stuck in recovery mode or the iPhone won't turn on or other problems.

TunesKit iOS System Recovery can get your iPhone back to normal without data loss with two smart modes including Standard Repair Mode and Deep Repair Mode. In addition, it's fully compatible with the latest iOS version and almost all modes of iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Now simply download the free trial version for Mac or Windows. Then start to rescue your device suffering from white screen trouble by following the below steps.

Key Features of TunesKit iOS System Recovery

Fix the 150+ iOS device issues, including the iPhone white screen of death, black screen, boot loop, etc., compatible with the latest iPhone model and iOS version, one-click to enter and exit recovery mode, factory reset iOS device without a passcode.

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Step 1. Connect iPhone to PC

Open TunesKit iOS System Recovery and connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. When your iPhone is detected, click on iOS System Repair and Start buttons.

main interface v5

Step 2. Choose A Mode

To fix iPhone white screen of death without data loss, simply choose the Standard Repair mode to begin.

choose a mode to start

Step 3. Download Firmware Package

At this time you may need to confirm the device information displayed on the window. Make sure that the device information is correct. After that, click on the Download option at the lower right corner to let the software download the firmware package matched to your device. Now just wait for the download of the firmware package.

download firmware package ios 26

Step 4. Start Fixing iPhone White Screen

When the firmware has completed downloading, just click the Start Standard Repair button. TunesKit software will soon fix the iPhone white screen of death issue. Remember to keep your device connected until the fixing process finishes entirely. Or your iPhone may probably get bricked.

start standard repair win

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Solution 5: Use Recovery Mode to Update or Restore iPhone

If your iPhone remains stuck on a white screen and cannot start, Recovery Mode lets you reinstall iOS through a computer.

  • Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC. Open Finder on Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows. Older systems may still use iTunes.
  • Step 2. Then put your iPhone into Recovery Mode:
  • iPhone 8 or later: Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Connect to Computer screen appears.
  • iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons together until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
  • iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the Home and Side/Top buttons together until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

recovery mode

  • Step 3. When your computer shows Update and Restore options, choose Update first. This attempts to reinstall iOS while keeping your data.
  • Step 4. If Update does not fix the white screen, repeat the process and choose Restore. Keep in mind that Restore erases the iPhone and reinstalls iOS.

itunes restore iphone

Solution 6: Factory Reset Your iPhone

If your iPhone becomes usable again but the white screen continues to return, a factory reset can remove corrupted settings or software that may be causing the problem.

Before proceeding, back up your iPhone if possible. Then go to:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings

erase all content and settings

Follow the onscreen instructions to erase and reset the device.

After the reset, set up the iPhone and check whether the white screen problem returns before restoring all your data.

Solution 7. Check for Hardware Damage

If the iPhone still shows a white screen after a system repair or full restore, the problem may be hardware-related.

This is especially likely if the issue started after the iPhone was dropped, exposed to liquid, or repaired. A damaged display, loose connector, or logic board problem may require professional service.

In this case, contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for further diagnosis.

apple support page


How to Avoid iPhone Stuck on White Screen Again

After fixing the white screen issue, you can take a few simple steps to reduce the chance of it happening again.

1. Keep iOS and apps updated. Install the latest available updates to fix bugs and improve system stability.

2. Keep enough free storage. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and remove unnecessary files or apps when space is running low.

3. Protect your iPhone from damage. Avoid drops, liquid exposure, dust, and extreme temperatures that may affect the display or internal components.

4. Avoid jailbreaking. Unauthorized system modifications can make iOS unstable and increase the risk of startup problems.

5. Back up your iPhone regularly. Keep an iCloud or computer backup so your data remains safe.


FAQs About iPhone White Screen of Death

About the problem, iPhone users have a lot of questions. Here we've collected some frequently asked questions. Also, we'll make the reply to the below question.

  • What causes the iPhone white screen of death?

    Common causes include iOS crashes, failed software updates, insufficient storage, jailbreaking errors, and hardware damage such as a faulty display or loose internal connection.

  • Can I back up my iPhone while it is stuck on a white screen?

    It depends. If your computer already recognizes and trusts the iPhone, you may be able to create a backup. If the device is completely unresponsive, making a new backup may not be possible. In Recovery Mode, choose Update first to reinstall iOS without intentionally erasing data; Restore will erase the device.

  • How can I fix an iPhone white screen without losing data?

    Start with non-destructive methods such as checking Accessibility Zoom, force restarting the iPhone, updating iOS, or using Standard Repair in TunesKit iOS System Recovery. You can also try the Update option in Recovery Mode before considering Restore.

  • Will force restarting an iPhone erase data?

    No. A force restart simply reboots the iPhone and does not delete your photos, apps, messages, or other stored data.

  • What if my iPhone still has a white screen after restoring it?

    If the white screen remains after a full system restore, the problem may be hardware-related. Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for further diagnosis.


The Bottom Line

Now you've learned how to solve the iPhone white screen of death problem from the solutions mentioned above. Last but not least, we would like to emphasize that TunesKit iOS System Recovery is a trustworthy and professional program that can help you fix your iOS device to normal in the shortest amount of time as long as you start downloading it right now.

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