My iPhone 17 Pro Max keeps breaking down.

Today my brand new iPhone 17 Pro just spontaneously “burst into flames”. Because I was using my iPhone 17 Pro today, and for the first time in January 2026, the OLED screen simply switched off, emitting a lot of smoke. Today (March 8, 2026), it switched off again, and after I removed the pentagonal screws, it worked normally again when I lifted the screen. After that, it worked again. Then, when I used the flashlight, only half of the flashlight worked. What's going on?

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Posted on Mar 7, 2026 3:35 PM

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12 replies

Mar 7, 2026 4:20 PM in response to IloveAppleTVsoftware7point9

You need to have Apple perform diagnostics on your iPhone. It can be done in person at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also contact Apple Support and request remote diagnostics.


If you’re in the US, please call  1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.


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Mar 7, 2026 6:40 PM in response to KiltedTim

KiltedTim wrote:

Yeah. Good luck with that.

If it "burst into flames" it happened because the battery was either defective or physically damaged.

When the OP decided to take the screws out and open it up, assuming they did that after it burst into flames, they made it impossible to prove that it didn't happen because they damaged it.

You can try cite all the completely irrelevant, unrelated cases you like, it won't alter reality.
The OP borked their chances of having it covered by the warranty.

End of discussion.

What really doesn't add up is if as the Author suggested, "in January 2026, the OLED screen simply switched off, emitting a lot of smoke," given it's an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and couldn't be more than 4 months old and still under a full manufacturer warranty, wouldn't you immediately schedule an appointment at your closest Apple Store or AASP to have the phone checked? But they continued to use the phone till today and it burst in flames and THEN the Author removed the screws and lifted the screen off the phone? We know that removing the screws will not permit the screen to be removed to begin with. It requires much more effort, heat and special tools to remove the screen on an iPhone 17 Pro Max.


Nothing adds up or makes sense with this story.

Mar 7, 2026 6:52 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Jeff Donald wrote:


KiltedTim wrote:

Yeah. Good luck with that.

If it "burst into flames" it happened because the battery was either defective or physically damaged.

Last time I looked defects are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. In which case, as I stated, removing a screw, in and of itself, does not negate the warranty.

And lifting the screen off the phone wouldn't void the warranty? They didn't just remove screws. They lifted the screen, if this story is to be believed and that I do believe is tampering. I'd have to agree with KiltedTim they have voided their warranty.

Mar 7, 2026 6:26 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Yeah. Good luck with that.


If it "burst into flames" it happened because the battery was either defective or physically damaged.


When the OP decided to take the screws out and open it up, assuming they did that after it burst into flames, they made it impossible to prove that it didn't happen because they damaged it.


You can try cite all the completely irrelevant, unrelated cases you like, it won't alter reality.

The OP borked their chances of having it covered by the warranty.


End of discussion.

Mar 7, 2026 6:52 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Jeff Donald wrote:


KiltedTim wrote:

Yeah. Good luck with that.

If it "burst into flames" it happened because the battery was either defective or physically damaged.

Last time I looked defects are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. In which case, as I stated, removing a screw, in and of itself, does not negate the warranty.

So you're going to intervene on their behalf?

They tampered with the device. It's pretty evident if you read between the lines that they damaged it, or at the very least, damaged it further. What kind of ***** doesn't have it serviced for over a month after it shut off and gave off smoke, and just tries to keep using it.


Sure.. OK., You can believe Apple's going to cover that if you want... It's not going to happen.

Mar 7, 2026 4:19 PM in response to IloveAppleTVsoftware7point9

Removing a screw doesn’t in and of itself void a warranty. That would be like saying lifting the hood of your car voided your warranty. Now, if you damage the screw (or your hood) then those damages probably aren’t covered.


So that we’re all on the same page for US owners or warrantied products, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.


But basically a car owner that changed his own oil voided his warranty. Change your own spark plugs, voided your warranty. Change the air filter, well you get the drift. Dealerships tried enforcing this too.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson%E2%80%93Moss_Warranty_Act

My iPhone 17 Pro Max keeps breaking down.

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