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iPhone 12 mini touchscreen issues

Is anyone else having intermittent touchscreen issues with their iPhone 12 mini where it randomly won’t register touch input?

TLDR: my phone screen stops registering touch input randomly only when inside of a case and also with a screen protector on. With just the case on, the screen is fine, and with just the screen protector on the screen works fine. It’s only when they’re combined that my screen goes all janky.

I got my 12 mini today, went to Bestbuy to pick up a screen protector, installed the screen protector, put the phone in the Silicone MagSafe case and set everything up. Everything seemed fine until I noticed that the touchscreen was not responding like it should to touch input. I noticed that the screen would only act up if I had the case on. When I took the case off the screen was responding exactly as it should so I figured it was an issue with the case. However, my sister had also gotten her iPhone 12 mini today and we tested the MagSafe case on her phone but hers didn’t exhibit the same problem.

At this point I decided to pull the screen protector off and test again with and without the case on, and the touch input issues were gone altogether. So I figured, “okay, maybe I got a bad screen protector,” so I went back to bestbuy, returned what I thought to be a faulty screen protector, purchased a Zagg Invisible Shield screen protector, and had them install it for me. But when I powered my phone back on in the car, the screen still wouldn’t register touch input correctly with the new screen protector while in the MagSafe case. I can still take the case off and the screen works fine, but inside the case with a screen protector on, the screen starts acting up.

Finally, I decided to try a different case altogether. We went to Target and I put on a generic non-MagSafe case and the screen issues returned. I’m not sure why but it seems like the issue only pops up when a case is on the phone while also having a screen protector on. If I take one or the other off everything works perfectly. Does it seem like my device might be faulty?

iPhone 12 mini, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 13, 2020 6:36 PM

Top-ranking reply

Rastajafarian Author

Level 1

28 points

Posted on Nov 14, 2020 5:56 AM

Check the link that was posted above. I think they’ve narrowed the problem down to a grounding issue. If you touch any part or the metal chassis of the phone, the lock screen touch input starts working normally again.

For now, I’ve found that touching the camera rings while unlocking fixes the problem. It’s not a great solution but at least it’ll get me by before I can get my phone looked at. There’s no way I’m going without a case or screen protector so this will have to do for the time being. I have an appointment to get it looked at tomorrow so I guess we’ll see.

Hopefully this helps someone

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615 replies

Nov 13, 2020 8:11 PM in response to sjc752

Yep what you’re describing is exactly what mine is doing. I spoke with support and they’re going to have someone call me in the morning to try and get this resolved. Might have to make a trip to the nearest Apple Store

Nov 13, 2020 9:56 PM in response to Rastajafarian

Ditto here. Happens with any case/screen protector combo. If you have a finger touching the body, it all works fine. If you're only touching the case, it gets hung up. Some good discussion going on here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-12-mini-not-responding-to-touch-correctly-on-lock-screen.2267949/

Nov 14, 2020 5:51 AM in response to Rastajafarian

I'm having the same issue with my iPhone mini, but I was in the store when we noticed it. We went through every case and every different type of screen protector they had and same issue. Other customers that were purchasing the mini also had the same issues. It works fine without the case and just the screen protector, or visa versa. I'm not sure, but I believe because the new protectors go all the way to the edges that perhaps when the case is on, it's every so slightly lifting the edges of the screen protector causing issues with the touch? I'm going to try to find a protector that doesn't go to the edges.

Nov 14, 2020 2:49 PM in response to Rastajafarian

Same here. It almost appears to be part of the touch rejection affecting the pin input when unlocking the phone. It seems only happens when holding the phone normally (leather case or otherwise).

Really annoying, especially when trying to pay for something while wearing a mask.

Nov 14, 2020 5:30 PM in response to Rastajafarian

If you could post an update after the phone gets looked at, I would appreciate it so much. Im having the same issues and am debating trying to switch the phone and order a new one or just keep what I have.

Nov 14, 2020 5:33 PM in response to Rastajafarian

Exactly the same issues with my iPhone 12 mini. I have both the silicone cover case and Maxboost Screen Protector. While locked, buttons are not really responsive (i.e. flashlight, camera, music controls, etc.). But when iPhone is unlock, everything works fine. The replies I’ve read that state to touch the camera rings does seem to work. I’m hopeful this all comes down to a software issue and not hardware. That would be a lot of iPhone to replace.

Nov 14, 2020 7:50 PM in response to Rastajafarian

I got mine today and I am having the same issue, I can’t even swipe to unlock with my thumb it has to be my index finger. Which defeats the whole purpose of me getting the smaller phone. I hope this is fixed soon

wasim132

Level 1

4 points

Nov 14, 2020 9:36 PM in response to Rastajafarian

Hello. I have had issues with touch response while unlocking my iPhone 12 mini and also while swiping right to receive a phone call didn’t work.

The unlocking works when I press the side button to start siri, and then enter my pin, unlocking the phone works just about every time from then.

The phone call not being able to be answered is more serious. It’s the first call I received on it, and it had that problem. I’ll see if it persists. In general the phone performs pretty well though.

Nov 14, 2020 10:29 PM in response to Rastajafarian

Same problem with me,without case mobile working propare ,in cover not pickup call and not slide (open) menu propare,

cover case also buying from apple store,i think same issue in all iphone 12 minu after using case (cover)

Nov 15, 2020 12:00 AM in response to Rastajafarian

This is going crazy cant remove case all the time or use my new 12 mini without a case? If it is a grounding issue then it is a hardware one.

But it is on lockscreen and not on hone screen, seems like software issue too? Is apple aware of this can we please have a solution around this problem

DL98

Level 1

4 points

Nov 15, 2020 1:21 AM in response to Rastajafarian

I’ve been having the same issue with my iPhone mini. I’ve noticed the issue goes away when their is no case on it. Very frustrating, I was so excited to use the phone but this has disappointed me, I hope it could be fixed with a software update

Adeson

Level 1

19 points

Nov 15, 2020 1:58 AM in response to Jonuk77

its still early to conclude and find the solution to this. The mini was just launched for 2 days, and with this post and other site threads, im sure Apple is already looking into. I just hope they have a solution soon.

Nov 15, 2020 2:27 AM in response to Rastajafarian

Ok so everyone please LISTEN UP!!⭐️

spent about 4-5 hours in contact with Apple. Helpline > helpline > helpline > helpline senior advisor > engineer

Engineer says this is NOT LOGGED as an issue by Apple. Said that they don’t take info from Apple discussions site or macrumours or any online forums into account.

have advised I return my phone for replacement.

So, people please get onto Apple support and log your issue!

Nov 15, 2020 2:28 AM in response to Rastajafarian

Ok so everyone please LISTEN UP!!⭐️

spent about 4-5 hours in contact with Apple. Helpline > helpline > helpline > helpline senior advisor > engineer

Engineer says this is NOT LOGGED as an issue by Apple. Said that they don’t take info from Apple discussions site or macrumours or any online forums into account.

have advised I return my phone for replacement.

So, people please get onto Apple support and log your issue!

Jonuk77

Level 1

4 points

Nov 15, 2020 2:33 AM in response to DevonRedd

I have logged the issue myself twice now.

The issue has also been witnessed and confirmed in store according to the following:

“A user in the Apple support forum said he/she noticed it before leaving the store and they were able to test multiple cases without success, and other users getting the Mini began noticing the same.”

It would seem they would have no option but to log the issue based upon the above.

iPhone 12 mini touchscreen issues