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iPhone 6 screen freezes after iOS 10.3.1 update

It's the first time it happens to me, after updating to the latest IOS the phone started working wrong, the screen freezes, it turns off alone and it opens apps and chats without touching the screen. I think it's a problem of the update as many iphone 6 an iphone 6 plus are having the same issue. I tried almost everything but it didn't worked.

I'll be very grateful if you can solve it.

iPhone 6, iOS 10.3.1

Posted on Apr 7, 2017 7:50 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Apr 8, 2017 2:47 PM

Hi, ff80uru!

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

After reading your post, I understand that the touch screen on your iPhone 6 is not functioning as expected; it will become unresponsive at times, and other times it will select apps without input from you. You've also noticed that the iPhone will unexpectedly shut down. I rely on my iPhone every day, so I know it's important for it to work as expected. I'd be happy to help.


To troubleshoot the touch screen of your iPhone, I recommend utilizing this article: If the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch doesn't respond to touch

You can use the instructions here to help with the iPhone unexpectedly shutting down: If your iOS device restarts or displays the Apple logo or a spinning gear unexpectedly


If you continue to have trouble with your iPhone 6 after using those articles, please get in touch with Apple Support directly for additional assistance. You can reach them here: Contact Apple Support

Have a lovely day.

202 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Apr 8, 2017 2:47 PM in response to ff80uru

Hi, ff80uru!

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

After reading your post, I understand that the touch screen on your iPhone 6 is not functioning as expected; it will become unresponsive at times, and other times it will select apps without input from you. You've also noticed that the iPhone will unexpectedly shut down. I rely on my iPhone every day, so I know it's important for it to work as expected. I'd be happy to help.


To troubleshoot the touch screen of your iPhone, I recommend utilizing this article: If the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch doesn't respond to touch

You can use the instructions here to help with the iPhone unexpectedly shutting down: If your iOS device restarts or displays the Apple logo or a spinning gear unexpectedly


If you continue to have trouble with your iPhone 6 after using those articles, please get in touch with Apple Support directly for additional assistance. You can reach them here: Contact Apple Support

Have a lovely day.

Apr 11, 2017 11:26 PM in response to ff80uru

I have the same issue that has happened on my iphone 6 with IOS10.3.1 just recently.


Phone stops responding. I have to put it to sleep mode and then wake it up. Sometimes once, sometimes twice to make it unfreeze. Seems very random. Sometimes several times per minute. sometimes once every 30 minutes...


I have tried all solutions proposed online but none solved the problem:

1. Reset network settings

2. Updated all firmware and apps

3. Cleaned the screen

4. Hard Reset via on/off + home button

5. I even restored the whole phone via Itunes as new phone


Nothing works. Extremely frustrated right now....... 😟

Apr 13, 2017 11:25 AM in response to ff80uru

I updated yesterday and have the same problem. Screen goes black while I am typing. Happened 6 times just now while writing a long email. 3 times in a 5 minute period. Nothing wrong with my screen. It is clearly specific to 10.3.1

If I press lock and fingerprint unlock I can continue. But I will call this release a mess.

Apr 13, 2017 8:24 PM in response to ff80uru

I Have the same problem. But it this will help. a couple of weeks I had to reset my iPhone 6 Plus because this same problem started happening with the 10.3.1 beta version. It was all the same. Touch screen would not respond. I would press a letter and another would type. So I restored my phone and got to an official iOS version and just yesterday I updated it forgetting about the problems that 10.3.1 version has on y iPhone 6 Plus. Please send an update so that this problem can be fixed. It is the new update that causes this problem on the 6 Plus version.

Apr 18, 2017 1:29 AM in response to ff80uru

I have the same problem, bought it to Apple store and the guy told me it must be the screen problem and has to be replaced at my expense.


First of all, how can it be a hardware problem? If it is hardware issue, it just dies and never works again.


To those who are interested, I tried reinstalling iOS 10.3.1 using alternative methods found online. It's not the best solution but it improves a little (problem still exist but much less frequent).


In my point of view, Apple is no different to taking my phone and smash it into pieces.

This is clearly software vandalism on Apple's part and our phones should be repaired or replaced immediately.


I hope someone will lawyer up or take this issue public since they can't be bother looking or responding to the issue.

Such a irresponsible company, just like other telco.

Apr 20, 2017 6:03 AM in response to ff80uru

I have an iPhone 5s, and after iOS 10.3.1 upgrade a few days ago, my touch screen stopped working to the point that my phone has become unusable. The phone will swipe screens and open apps randomly without me asking it to, make other letters appear while typing, and the phone icons will stop responding to touch. Putting it to sleep mode and wiping the screen with a cloth helped a little, but it ran back to all the problems again after a few minutes of usage.

I took my phone to the Genius Bar yesterday. Apple staff ran diagnostics and determined that it was NOT a hardware issue. I tried all of the followings so far but none of them worked.

1. I ran "Restore iPhone" through iTunes to reset my phone to factory settings, followed by "Restore Backup" through iTunes. Multi-touch problem persisted.

2. Unconnected to iTunes, I ran "Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings", which reset it back to factory settings. I then set it up as a new phone by downloading a few apps from app store based on what I need only, without restoring any backup. Multi-touch problem persisted.

3. Unconnected to iTunes, I ran "Reset All settings" on my phone. I then set it up as a new phone by downloading a more apps from app store based on what I need only, without restoring any backup. I also synced with iTunes to copy some music back. Multi-touch problem persisted.

4. I deleted one app that I thought might cause config issue and I turned off all notifications, but didn't help. Multi-touch problem persisted.


After reading this thread, I now firmly believe that this problem is iOS 10.3.1 related. I would like to know: 1. When Apple can provide software update for a fix, and 2. If I can go back to iOS 10.2.x somehow for my phone. If anyone from Apple is reading this, please advise.

Jul 6, 2017 10:28 AM in response to Makc666

Continue to my post:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7916664?answerId=31868045022#31868045022


I made many researches and I found out that 99% of my freezes where connected with 'Today Extension' of application "Lirum Device Info", by Rogerio Hirooka - https://appsto.re/ru/u4nqJ.i

When that extension which among its futures interacts with iOS memory was active and you do the steps I described in my previous post then my iPhone freezed.

After I deleted "Lirum Device Info" extension from 'Today Extension' screen all the problems gone away.


I then wrote a note to developer.

And today the updated version 4.3.3 where published with the history note sounds "Fixed an issue with the 'Today Extension' that made some devices unresponsive".


I think that some of the local posters can have this application been installed as it is very popular among Apple People.

But I also think there can be other Programmes that can have like the same 'Today Extension' which interact with iOS memory and the also can badly. Check this one if you have a freeze problem like my.



And it's a pity that iOS API lets such applications freeze iOS / make it unstable.

User uploaded file

May 5, 2017 1:48 PM in response to chuck_3rd

Re: iPhone 6 screen freezes after iOS 10.3.1 update
This response is an insult to people who've been having problem after 10.3.1 update.


The update caused the touch screen became unresponsive intermittently.
All hardware buttons work.
The touch screen works randomly. Sometimes it goes for hours without problem. Sometimes, it would not respond to the touch consistently for a few minutes then works again for a short time then goes back to being unresponsive.


It's NOT an issue with the screen protectors or touch sensitivity.

If Apple blames hardware problem then the hardware on my phone worked fine in previous iOS versions.
The code in 10.3.1 isn't compatible with the existing hardware of a bunch of phones causing the problem.
This is a widespread problem, not an isolating problem limited to a few phones.

Jun 1, 2017 5:26 AM in response to infber

Could it be that we are all seeing a coincidence (related to the OS upgrades) and simply have a hardware problem? We dropped our phone too many times? Frankly it's "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?" I was not open to it being a hardware problem since the phone works "fine" much of the time.


I don't have a 6+ -- just a 6 -- but these reported problems sound the same and pre-date OS 10.3.1.


iphone 6+ touch screen issue erratic behavior


Multi-Touch Repair Program for iPhone 6 Plus - Apple Support


Here are some iPhone 6 specific reports:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-6-problems/


See the "****I FIXED MINE****" part of this link:

https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-fix-the-ghost-touching-problem-on-my-iPhone-6


These might relate -- at least they reveal to me there are hardware issues with the 6 design in general:


http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-6-plus-touchscreen-problem-makes-it- unusable-2016-8


If the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch doesn't respond to touch - Apple Support

Jun 1, 2017 8:20 AM in response to Ericarp78

No, I'm not in the tech industry. I can't prove anything yet, but consider these facts:


People had the same problems with iPhones before 10.3.1 as I have demonstrated

There are millions of iPhone 6 users in the US -- in March 2015 there were 38 million

There are NOT millions screaming in this thread

Many more people than us with iPhone 6 phones are not having problems

Not everyone with 10.3.1 or 10.3.2 on iPhone 6 phones are having problems

The probability that of the tens of millions of iPhone users who coincidentally dropped their phone one too many times in April 2016 some tiny fraction amounting to 10,000 of us or so are now having problems like the people before 10.3.1 even existed reported? (sorry about the run-on sentence)


Believe what you want to believe, but "waiting on the actual solution" puts the solution out of your control. I prefer it be in my control.


So I used Apple chat support today.


He said:

"With this kind of issue, there might be 2 possible problems that I can see. One is there might be a software problem which might have glitches or bug on it that affects the performance of the device. Another one is the screen itself has a problem related to a hardware issue. We will get this sorted to see where the issue is really coming from. When did this issue started to happen?"


Told him OS 10.3.1


Response: "I see. That is a good observation that it happened when you updated it to 10.3.1 that the issue started and it is good as well that you have done the DFU mode and updated it to the latest version but it seems that it was not able to fix the issue even doing that procedure. Normally, updating the software through DFU could remove any possible glitches but since it was not able to fix the issue, we will just be doing some other major troubleshooting step. Before we proceed, can you go to Settings > General > About and check the available storage if you can still navigate the device?"


Told him 13 gb


"That should be more than enough for the storage available needed. It only requires to have at least 1GB to keep the phone smoothly working. At this time, what we can try to do to try to fix the issue is to reset all settings. With this procedure, it will help us remove any glitches or bugs on the phone and help us refresh it as well but will not remove any files like photos, notes, contacts, etc. on your device. This will just reset the settings like Wi-Fi password, date and time, wallpaper and ringtone but this can be easily set up once the phone restarted. To do so, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings. Before you do this, may I know if you are using the device right now chatting with us?"


I was on my computer so I just did it. He said:


"Just follow any prompt that will show on the screen and test it further to see if that will work smoothly. If the issue still persist, then the next major thing to do is to back up the files and restore the device as new without any backup or files on it for the meantime so that we test the device like it was new and see if the problem will still persist. If it does, then that should be a clear sign that it is a hardware problem which it would be best to take the device into the store to further check it physically and examine what could have cause the issue. You can go to this link to see the step by step on how to back up and restore the device as new: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings"


Was working fine after while I chatted, but not now.


I'll set the phone up as new this weekend. I bet it will fail. Next I'm going to the Apple store. Hmm. Maybe I should make an appointment now in anticipation ....


I'll report back.


Oh, in case you are skeptical about his statement: "that should be a clear sign that it is a hardware problem" instead of being open to a bug, I remind you that there are likely millions of iPhone 6 users walking around with 10.3.1 or 10.3.2 and NOT HAVING THESE PROBLEMS! (Why are we different if not for our apps, settings or hardware?)

Jun 14, 2017 11:35 AM in response to ff80uru

Same problem here with iOS 10.3.2 and iPhone 6s Plus.

It is very easy to reproduce.

Restart or Turn Off/On your iPhone.

Then open as many as you can official Apple applications like Fotos, FaceTime, Maps, iTunes Store, Music, iBooks and etc.

When you open application try to make it use some memory. For example in iBooks try to open some large PDF document. In Music listen a song. In Maps open some street. In Fotos try to looks some of them. Etc.

You can open Safari also and there some page. But for clean test you can omit that.

Then double press on your Home button.

You will see you applications opens.

Now you have quickly close them. The speed is important.

When you will finish try to open Fotos or Safari for example.

If the you are lucky you will get a freeze.

If no make the same steps once again: open many applications and quickly close them one by one.

In 75% cases I can get a freeze from the first try.


P.S. I also have a confirmation from my friend that the same problem happens at iPhone 7 Plus. A little bit harder to reproduce there as iPhone 7 Plus has 3GB operational memory than iPhone 6s Plus with 2GB.

Really there is a confirmation here: Re: iPhone 7 - Keeps Freezing!!!


Just upgraded to iOS 10.3.3 Beta 3 now.

Didn't help.

The same problem is there.

Apr 28, 2017 3:44 PM in response to ff80uru

Hi all,


I managed to do something that eventually worked for me: a DFU restore.

To do this you need to:

  • Backup your iPhone on PC/Mac with latest iTunes (this is very important!)
  • Plug your device into your computer
  • Turn off the device by holding the Sleep/Wake or Power button and swiping it off
  • Hold the power button for 3 seconds
  • Begin holding the Home button without releasing the Sleep/Power button for 10 seconds
  • Release the power button and continue holding the home button until you get a popup from iTunes that your device is recognized as being in recovery mode.
  • Then you can restore your device from iTunes.


For more info, my situation was as follows: After a week of freezes I tried all suggestions discussed in this forum. Somehow my iPhone got bricked after an attempt to erase all settings. It ended up in an endless loop trying to reinitialize but then crashing after 10 seconds. With a DFU restore as the one described above I managed to get it working perfectly, and no freezes anymore. The only thing is that , since the iPhone was bricked, then I could not back it up. I had to do a DFU restore and start it as a new iPhone. Later I could log it to icloud and sync back all my contacts, etc. For the apps it took me a couple of hours to reinstall all of them and some extra time to get the settings back how I had them. But after that everything works 100%, like before the upgrade. Luckily I did not loose any information (contacts, reminders,...) or photos as I had them synced in iCloud or backed up in my Synology NAS.

I think the problem must have been in the new file system introduced by iOS 10.3.1. I guess that some important system file must have got corrupted somehow during conversion (that is, during installation of 10.3.1). A complete wipeout and reinstallation seems to fix the issue.

May 1, 2017 10:37 AM in response to ff80uru

I have tried all the following solutions but none of them solved the problem:

  1. Reset network settings.
  2. Updated all firmware and apps.
  3. Cleaned the screen.
  4. Hard Reset via on/off + home button.
  5. Restored the whole phone via Itunes as new phone.
  6. Restored the whole phone from a backup(based on prior ios version) via Itunes.
  7. Factory reset and erased all data.
  8. Upgraded iOS from 10.3.1to 10.3.2 beta5 (the latest version by May 1st, 2017)


I finally went to the Apple store and the technician said it is a hardware problem and have to been replaced with a new one(cost $149 plus tax), I agreed.


I updated the ios to 10.3.1 on the new iphone 6+ and restored all my data from my recent data. After two days running, I think the screen freeze should be gone, but the system occasionally hanged several seconds a day.

Btw, the iOS 10.3.1 and 10.3.2beta5 (I don't found any improvement for the issue on the version 10.3.2beta5) are not as good as the iOS 10.2.1, it is better not to upgrade your phone.

iPhone 6 screen freezes after iOS 10.3.1 update

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