Have you recently noticed a black spot on your iPhone display? This is an odd problem that could be caused by software issues, a tight iPhone back cover, or a damaged screen. But how do you identify what it is, and how do you get it fixed? That is what I will talk about in this read as I take you through the reasons why there is a black spot on your iPhone and then show you a few ways to fix it in this guide.
Common Causes of Black Spot on iPhone
As mentioned, there can be several reasons why you are seeing black spots on your iPhone. To get some real-world accounts of people, I found that it can show up for various reasons. From physical pressure and moisture damage to manufacturing defects and pixel failure. So, here are some key reasons why you are seeing a black spot on your iPhone screen.
- Dead pixel: According to most Reddit users, a black dot on an iPhone is typically caused by a dead pixel. This is an issue with most new iPhones that use an OLED display, like the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and up to the latest iPhone 17 series.
- Stuck pixel: Some users also reported a stuck pixel. This is usually a software issue, where a pixel still receives power but is locked to a single colour. It can sometimes appear as a dark spot depending on the colour it is stuck on.
- Physical damage from a drop: Dropping the phone, even from a short height, can break internal display components. On LCD screens, liquid crystals can leak through an internal crack in the panel, while on OLED screens, organic molecules can fail upon impact, both resulting in black spots.
- Pressure damage: If you carry your Apple iPhone in a tight case or back cover, it can exert unnecessary pressure on the phone's display, affecting it over time. In this case, I highly recommend that you take off the cover immediately.
- Screen burn-in: Screen burn-in occurs when a static image or app is seen for an extended period, leaving a faint ghost image or a dark shadow. This is more common on OLED iPhones.
- Moisture or water damage: Water or humidity entering the screen can corrode internal components, often appearing as small black spots near the edges that can spread over time. This is another instance reported by a Reddit user who saw a growing black spot on their iPhone 16 Pro.
- Manufacturing defect: In rare cases, a black spot can appear on a brand-new device due to a manufacturing defect in the display. If the phone is under warranty, you can get it fixed for free.
- Low-quality screen replacement: Some users who got a third-party screen replacement also complained about seeing a black dot on their iPhone screen later on. A third-party or low-quality screen replacement is a common cause of black spots appearing shortly after a repair.
- Accessibility Settings: If you have accidentally enabled the Motion cues accessibility setting on your iPhone, you will notice multiple black-and-white dots around the edges of your screen. This can be easily turned off from the Settings app.
Which iPhones Are Most Affected by Black Spots?
From what I have found, black spots are not limited to any particular iPhone model. It can be caused by various reasons depending on the screen type.
- iPhones with LCD screens: iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, and older models. LCD screens are more susceptible to pressure damage and liquid crystal leakage.
- iPhones with OLED screens: iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air. OLED screens are more prone to burn-in and dead pixels from impact.
How to Fix Black Spot on iPhone Screen
Similar to the white dot issue on iPhone, there is no one single reason why you are seeing a black spot on your iPhone display. It can be a minor software problem or a sign of a hardware problem that needs your immediate attention. But here are a few troubleshooting methods you can try out to fix the visible black spot on your iPhone.
Clean Your iPhone Screen
Before assuming it is a display issue, try cleaning the display first. Dirt, fingerprints, or a poorly applied screen protector can sometimes create the illusion of a black spot.
Wipe the screen gently with a clean, dry microfibre cloth. If there is a screen protector, remove it and check whether the spot is on the protector itself or on the display underneath.
Also, check whether the phone case is putting pressure on the edges of the screen, as this can sometimes cause dark patches near the corners.
Try Restarting Your iPhone
The first thing everyone suggests is to restart your iPhone. This often fixes any temporary software glitch which could cause a random black spot on the screen. It is an easy method that is worth giving a shot.
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Up button until the power slider appears.
- Drag the slider to the right to turn off the iPhone.
- Wait a few seconds, then long-press the Side button to turn it back on.
Check iPhone's Accessibility Settings
iOS also has a new accessibility feature called Vehicle Motion Cues, which shows multiple black dots around the edges of your iPhone to reduce motion sickness caused by using your phone in a moving vehicle. I noticed a few users mistook these black dots for hardware issues. But here is how you can disable it.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Accessibility > Motion.
- Here, tap on Vehicle Motion Cues and select Off.
Reset Your iPhone Settings
If the spot is still present, you can also try to reset all settings on your iPhone. This will rule out any possibility of a software issue caused by any settings on your device. Here is how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Now, navigate to Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Now, enter your passcode for confirmation.
This restores all system settings to default without deleting any personal data. It will not fix physical display damage, but it can resolve any software-level display problems.
Take It to the Apple Service Centre
If none of the troubleshooting steps above have managed to provide a solution, then it could be a hardware-related problem, and I highly recommend that you take it to your nearby Apple-authorised service centre and get it checked from there.
Even if it requires you to reset your iPhone to fix a major software problem that is causing a black spot on your iPhone, I would suggest you do it under the supervision of an Apple expert.
That is all there is to know about how to fix the black spot issue on your iPhone. As we have discussed, it could be just a minor software issue, maybe a problem that could be fixed by changing iPhone wallpaper, but in most reported cases, it is a serious display hardware issue that needs to be checked by an expert instead. I hope you found this guide useful and I was able to provide a satisfactory solution.
