iPhone Rainbow Screen of Death: Can You Fix It?
As an iPhone user, you’ll rarely need to deal with issues that significantly impact your device. But sometimes, you might get unlucky. The rainbow screen of death is one problem that some individuals with iPhones have reported in the past.
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If you’re suffering from the rainbow screen of death, you can try a selection of things to fix the issue. We’ll show you what you can do in this article, along with identifying the reasons you might have this problem in the first place.
Why Does My iPhone Have the Rainbow Screen of Death?
Before we look at how you can fix the iPhone rainbow screen of death, let’s look at why you might have the issue in the first place. Below, you’ll find two of the most frequent culprits.
Potential Software Glitches
Most of the time, you’ll download iOS software without running into significant issues. But occasionally, you might encounter glitches that cause huge problems for your smartphone.
Some users reported the rainbow screen of death appearing after they downloaded iOS 16; if you’ve upgraded your software, that could be the reason why your screen looks a little strange.
Issues With Your Screen
Although software can sometimes cause the iPhone rainbow screen of death, that’s not always the case. In other instances, you might have issues with your actual display.
Several things can cause your screen to stop looking as it should. Dropping your device is one of those, and you might also run into issues if something has hit your screen quite hard – such as dropping an object on it.
It’s also worth considering whether your iPhone has a genuine screen. You won’t need to worry about this if you bought your device brand-new and haven’t replaced it, but it can be a problem in other circumstances.
How to Fix the iPhone Rainbow Screen of Death
With a bit more knowledge about why your iPhone might have the rainbow screen of death, we can look at some of the potential ways to fix this problem. Below, you’ll find four action points.
Update Your iOS Software to the Latest Version
Some users reported the iPhone rainbow screen of death after downloading the initial version of iOS 16. But in December 2022, Apple released iOS 16.2. Once you’ve downloaded the latest software, you should be able to fix some of the problems that you previously encountered.
It’s not a guarantee that your iPhone screen will work as normal again, but upgrading your software is still worth trying. To do this:
- Open the Settings app and go to General.
- Select Software Update.
- If your iPhone needs updating, you’ll see a prompt to download it. Follow the instructions and allow the software to install on your device.
- Once the latest version of iOS 16 has been installed, check and see if your screen works as it should.
Of course, you can only perform this step if your screen still has some functionality. Some users have reported more severe examples of the rainbow screen of death, meaning that you’ll need to move on to other steps.
Turn Your iPhone Off and On Again
Another way you might be able to fix the rainbow screen of death is by switching your iPhone off and on again. If you’re able to turn your device off normally, you should try this first.
How you turn your iPhone off will depend on the device you have. For those without a home button, hold the button on the right-hand side and either of the ones you use to control your volume. Slide your finger to the right when the option to switch your device off appears.
If you have a home button, hold the button on the top or side of your iPhone – depending on which model you have. Slide your finger to the right when the option to turn your device off appears.
Once your iPhone has switched off, you can turn it on again.
Alternatively, you might need to force restart your iPhone. Again, this will depend on the device you have.
For iPhone users without a home button, tap the two volume buttons before holding the power button. If your device has a home button, you’ll either need to hold both volume buttons or just one of them – along with the one you use to turn your power off or on.
For iPhone 8 users and above with a home button, hold both of them; if you have an iPhone 7, you only need to press the volume down and side buttons simultaneously. iPhone 6 users will need to press the power and home buttons.
Get an iPhone Expert to Look at Your Device
The iPhone rainbow screen of death is a complex issue, and it’s sometimes best to let an expert look at the problem. Several countries have Apple Stores, though this isn’t entirely universal. You can check out a list of global Apple Stores, and segment your search based on your location, here.
You can also choose to visit an Apple-certified repair shop. Either way, you’ll receive guidance on what you should do next. In some cases, you might need a screen replacement – and in others, you may need a new device.
If your iPhone is still under warranty, check to ensure that you’re covered for this kind of problem.
Try These Fixes for Your iPhone Screen
The rainbow screen of death is pretty annoying to deal with, and it can significantly impact how you use your iPhone. Several factors could have contributed to your device no longer working, and it’s worth trying to fix the issue on your own before taking your phone to a store. However, you should make sure you don’t do anything that could void your warranty.
Try the tips in this article and see if they help you. Note that there is no guarantee these will work for everyone, but they’re still worth trying nonetheless.
Danny is a freelance writer who has been using Apple products for over a decade. He’s written for some of the largest technology publications on the web and previously worked as an in-house writer before carving his own route. Danny grew up in the UK, but now writes about tech from his Scandinavian base.
