iPhone 16 Pro Max Screen Unresponsive

After iOS 18.0.1 did not fully fix the problem that I had with my laggy screen, I ended up making an appointment with a Genius at an Apple Store the day before yesterday, and they did a bunch of hardware diagnostics. My phone failed the Touch Screen Responsiveness Test, so they swapped out my iPhone 16 Pro Max with a new one. I immediately noticed the huge change in responsiveness with the new phone, and it has been absolutely perfect ever since. This has solved my problem completely, and I no longer have any issues with my iPhone whatsoever. It’s awesome now.

I am on my third iPhone 16 Pro Max. All with identical behavior. I have been able to demonstrate it to genius bar and they have not known what to do other than give me a new phone. I am now working with Apple support and I am working with a senior advisor and doing things like sending log files and videos of the behavior. I just sent a batch of log files yesterday and I'm waiting to hear back.

My suggestion is for you to call. Apple support and ask for a senior advisor and offer to send a video of the behavior and log files. Don't let them tell you it's not a problem because it is. If you do this, it will reinforce the fact that they have a problem to deal with.

I can give you a case number to reference if you need it, but if you ask them to search their knowledge base they should come up with something acknowledging they are dealing with an issue.

Good luck

PAD2410 wrote:

To give an example of the annoying lag on the 16 pro max screen’s responsiveness, it took me 4 touches of the “sign in” button to get into this forum and near on 2 mins to write this text due to letters/space bar not responding.

Come on Apple… this is an expensive phone yet probably an easy fix for your tech guys!!

Apple isn't here. This is a user to user only forum, so they won't see your plea. For many many, touch issues were helped with iOS 18.2 and the current iOS is now 18.2.1. Have you updated your phone?

If yes and it's not better, schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and show the phone to them. Most people are NOT having touch issues, like me, on two iPhone's (16 Pro and 16 Pro Max), so fixing something which doesn't happen to everyone is tricky.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

I have the Apple 16 Pro Max also and I think I figured out what the problem is it may not make up for the lag. I can’t explain that, but I can’t explain why the unresponsiveness happens I believe.

The new camera settings button, which is at the bottom right of the screen below the screen where you naturally would probably hold your right hand as you’re doing thumb typing with both hands. If you have any little bit of contact with that with your flesh, it is confused. The device isn’t sure whether you’re trying to use the camera controls or whether you’re typing so it doesn’t Do anything until it rectifies what you’re trying to do but with multiple key strokes. Try it out see what You think and Weather I’m on track and please reply back if you think that I’ve nailed it because this could be something that is significant and probably can rectified

I thinK I may have discovered the problem with this situation. IF YOU HAVE ANY FLESH TOUCHING THE NEW CAMERA CONTROLS BUTTON THE PHONE GETS “CONFUSED”. It doesn’t know which contact point it should be responding to. Especially with right handed users, it’s so natural to have part of your palm right there on that button. I found that if I put the phone down on a flat surface and I start to type and there’s nothing in contact with the button, you have no problems. I don’t know how you sell for that other than use two fingers to hold the phone, which is not convenient or comfortable, but I think that’s the situation.

As my iPhone 16 pro max issue occurred twice within 7 days of purchasing it, I went to the store. The phone was diagnosed and found having some hardware issue. The store associate then told me they will replace the hardware and schedule me for it. I inquired why can’t this be replaced with a new phone as it is less than 7 days and I have paid for a premium phone. After consulting with the manager he obliged and gave me a new phone like to like as replacement. I walked out happily.

There's a significant issue with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. I recently had my display replaced, and now it's functioning properly, just like my other device. Previously, it was laggy and unresponsive at times. This indicates that the problem is hardware-related. Don't wait for a software update.

I had the same issue, day 1 of my iphone 16 pro max. unresponsive touch/scrool, random reboot, and the keyboard wouldn’t show in apps. (never experience anything like it on my iphone 14 pro max.

it seems to have been fixed by turning the icon/home screen customization completely back to normal - it only does it when i have the icon customization on (specifically large icon and icons set on a green tint).. When i have it just normal small icons, no tint - no issues so far?

My phone was declared faulty by Apple after contacting Apple support and trying various things including a full phone restore. I've now been sent a replacement from my carrier.

Mine has been replaced by apple, they were actually really good about it, I thought I was going to get push back from the store in Bluewater but their manager and staff straight away jumped me to the front of the list and sorted it. Mine was a hard drive / possibly memory issue so the new phone I set up from new and touch wood all working fine. It’s now linked my ultra watch and aligned my SIM card in my watch so well chuffed. The online diagnostic wasn’t showing any issues it’s when I went in and they dig deeper they found the issue. Good luck all and thank you apple

I think I figured out what’s causing it.

if your finger is at all on the new photo button, the phone isn’t sure whether you’re doing something with the photo button, which is touch sensitive or touching the screen so you have to make sure that your grip is not at all impeding the photo button and you should be better it’s still not completely healed for me, but it’s much much better when I make sure I’m not touching that Hope this helps.

So someone had suggested resetting the keyboard. I had 5 or 6 keyboards in my settings. I deleted a few and only left the English one active. Ever since I did that my phone is working right. I am no longer having issues with my screen.

mackpine wrote:

I'm having the same problem with my 16 Pro Max. The screen often freezes completely and won't respond to touch at all. Even when it does work, it tends to miss multiple taps, which gets really frustrating when I'm trying to type. Updating to 18.0.1 seems to have made things worse. I usually avoid beta versions because I can't stand the bugs, but out of desperation, I'm giving 18.1 a shot, hoping it'll fix the issue.

For troubleshooting, I’ve tried everything—restoring, recovery mode, DFU mode, even setting it up as new instead of using a backup. This is beyond insane and is completely unacceptable for a phone that costs this much.

Seems you've done a lot in the troubleshooting arena. I would, if I were you, schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and show it to Apple. I have absolutely NO touch issues with either my 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max. A few in my office also have 16 Pro models and they too have no touch issues.

Actually returned my iPhone 16 Pro Max and exchanged it for another one at the Apple Store. I was able to demonstrate the issue to the genius and he hadn't seen it before but acknowledged it existed. All hardware and software checks were positive.

Actually returned my iPhone 16 Pro Max and exchanged it for another one at the Apple Store. I was able to demonstrate the issue to the genius and he hadn't seen it before but acknowledged it existed. All hardware and software checks were positive. I then called Apple support and escalated the issue. I then called Apple support and escalated the issue and indeed the second level support person found it as a known problem that is probably software.

. I then called Apple support and escalated the issue and indeed the second level support person found it as a known problem that is probably software what I have noticed is if you put the phone down what I have noticed what I have noticed what I've noticed what what I've noticed Is that if you put the phone on a table and do not touch the sides at all, the problem doesn't exist. So clearly it has something to do with holding and contacting the Sides of the phone. As soon as I pick it up and hold it in my hand as gently as I possibly can, the problem still exist.

We have iPhone 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro, neither of which have any touch issues with the screens. But clearly for some users, there are touch issues. After you updated to iOS 18.0.1 did you do a Forced Restart of your iPhone? This is something I do after EVERY iOS update. Try it and see if it helps you and keep this procedure in mind to do after an iOS update --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support