A flickering phone screen is one of the most annoying experiences you can face. The problem is common in both Android and iOS devices. And the causes vary.
You have to identify the cause of the issue before finding a way to fix it. Here, we will explain the causes and provide instructions for fixing the problem. The resolutions are pretty similar for both iPhones and Android devices.
What causes phone screen flashes in Android and iOS?
These are the main causes of a flashing screen on the phone:
Software glitches
Phone screen flashes are primarily caused by software glitches affecting your display. In simple cases, the flickering only lasts for seconds.
Games and media editing apps are mostly responsible since they push your phone’s graphic processing power to its limits.
Related: App disappeared from iPhone Home Screen
If you realize your Phone screen flashes white for a second while playing a game, understand that the game might be the cause of that glitch.
If the flickering continues or appears more randomly, there is a different problem.
Physical damage
Physical damage to your screen will affect your phone’s display. If your iPhone screen is flashing like a strobe light, then it might have experienced some damage.
Check your device for any physical signs of damage to ascertain that it is not what is causing the faulty behavior.
Solutions to a flashing smartphone screen
After diagnosing what brings about these bugs, we can have a look at possible fixes to these problems. The steps given will address different root problems for this bug.
1. Restart your device
A basic phone restart will amaze you with how effective it can be. It helps fix simple problems associated with softwares. To restart your phone follow the steps listed.
On Android devices:
- Press and hold the power button and the Volume down button simultaneously.
- Select restart on the menu that appears and allow the phone to restart.
On iOS devices:
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button to restart.
Related: How to screen mirror an iPhone to a Sony TV
2. Disable adaptive brightness settings
Adaptive brightness, in some instances, causes the Phone flashes like it is taking a picture. You may have to disable this feature to avoid the flashes. To change this setting on your iPhone, follow the steps below:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Tap Display and Text Size.
- Toggle the Auto-Brightness option to OFF.
To change adaptive brightness if your Samsung phone screen is flickering, follow the listed steps:
- Select the Settings option on your phone
- Scroll down to Display and select it
- On the Adaptive brightness option, toggle the Key to off
3. Update your phone’s software
Ensure you perform a software update on all your apps to fix any errors. The latest app versions always contain patches for common problems.
These updates can be found in App settings or on mobile content stores. The stores with updates are Appstore and Google Play.
4. Repair your display hardware
You should have your phone checked for hardware problems as a last resort. We highly recommend you contact a local Apple store to have your phone checked.
Avoid making hardware changes to your phone yourself, as this will instantly void your warranty. Opting for repairs should only be considered if all the above tweaks fail to work.
Alex is an IT technician who shares his experiences with Apple devices occasionally. He has a collection of Apple devices (from iPhone 4) and has recently started trying out Android.
IG: @I M_Alex