Cracked screen and ghost touch?

A defective screen will result in ghost touches. You will need a new screen for the XR.

Make an appointment at the Apple Store or take the phone to an authorized Apple service shop. You can find a list of authorized shops in your area using this link:

Find Locations

Estimate of repair cost is $29 (U.S.) if you have AppleCare+

Otherwise, repair cost will be around $225 (U.S.)

We can't tell you what would be easiest for you, but it would be easiest for me to replace the screen. Keep in mind that the battery may also need to be replaced.....$100 (U.S.).....if you have not already done this.

As far as support, I noticed that the iPhone 7......which was discontinued in September 2019......is still receiving iOS updates.

The iPhone XR might be discontinued in 2025......but I would expect iOS updates to continue to 2029-2030.

An iPhone XR with a destroyed display and potentially further damage is headed for repair, or replacement given the age.

Damaged displays usually progress toward failure.

I would hope you have a current backup. If not, try to get one now.

We don’t know when iPhone XR support will end, as Apple has not officially announced that. iOS 18 is supported, which usually means a few more years of updates or then of security updates.

As for “hacked”, outside of advertising for add-on security apps with examples that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from metadata-sucking morasses if not actual malware, and entertainment programming, getting hacked is quite unlikely. And given the display damage here, getting hacked far from the most likely possibility for the reported misbehavior. A failed display and ghost touches is a vastly better and more likely explanation for the misbehavior.

CoastalCowgirl wrote:

I recently dropped my iPhone XR and cracked it in multiple places. At first it seemed to be working fine for the first couple weeks but then I dropped it lightly with a screen protector on it this time (to avoid it breaking anymore) but the next day when I tried to text my friend it started texting gibberish. It kept getting worse and at its worst point it opened the text app, clicked a groupchat, and started hitting enter and space a lot. At first I was convinced I was being hacked but then when my family member said something similar happened to them I started looking it up and heard of the ghost touch. I would like to know what is happening when the ghost touch occurs. I would also like to know if it would be easier to get a new screen or simply a new phone. I was told the iPhone XR will stop getting updates in 2025. Thank you so much for helping me with this issue. ( I had many problems with ghost touch trying to write this problem, screen shaking, random typing, switching to my Spanish keyboard, etc.)

iPhone Screen Repair—

Use the “Get an Estimate” tool to review potential costs if you get service directly from Apple.

The prices shown here are only for screen repair.

iPhone Screen Repair

Apple Authorized Service Providers and Independent Repair Providers

Repair Provider Verification - Official Apple Support