[Updated] Top 5 Fixes to iPad/iPhone Red Screen of Death

iPhone screen happens to turn red? It can happen due to multiple reasons. This guide provides you with five effective and practical solutions to resolve this particular issue with easy and detail steps.

Demi by Demi Updated October 24, 2023
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The Red Screen of Death, or RSoD, is a rare but frustrating issue that can occur on iPhones and iPads. Just like its more famous counterpart, the Blue Screen of Death on Windows computers, the red screen indicates a severe problem that demands your attention. This disconcerting sight may leave you wondering why it happens and what can be done to resolve it.

iphone red screen

In this article, we'll explore the possible reasons behind the iPhone red screen and provide you with five effective fixes to address this issue.

Part 1. Why is my iPhone screen red?

Before we delve into the solutions, it's essential to understand the underlying causes of red iPhone screen. Several factors can contribute to this problem:

❌ Software Glitches: One of the most common causes of the red screen issue is a software glitch or malfunction, like incomplete software updates, corrupted files.
❌ Hardware Issues: A malfunctioning or loose connection of the display cables, damage to GPU, or overheating can lead to a red screen.
❌ Jailbreaking: For those who have jailbroken their devices, the red screen can be a consequence of the modifications made to the device's software.
❌ Water Damage: Water damage or minimal moisture can cause various issues with your device, including a red screen.
❌ Incompatible Apps: Installing apps that are not compatible with your device's software or have malware can lead to a red screen issue.

Part 2. Fixes to iPhone red screen

Now that we've explored the potential reasons for the "Red Screen of Death," let's move on to the solutions to know how to turn off red screen on iPhone.

1# Check iPhone color filters

In some cases, there might be no any issue on your iPhone itself. Instead, you may set up iPhone red screen by accident. If so, you can follow these steps to change color on your iPhone.

Step 1. Go to iPhone Settings app > Accessibility > Tap Display & Text Size.

display and text sixe

Step 2. Choose Colour Filters > If it is enabled, turn it off to check whether your issue gets fixed.

turn off color filter

2# Force restart iPhone

A force restart can help resolve various issues with an iPhone, including the red screen problem. The method for force restarting an iPhone differs depending on the model. You can follow the steps below to force restart iPhone.

• iPhone 8 and later with Face ID: Press and quickly release the Volume + button > Perform the same operation on the Volume - button > Press the Side button and release when you see the Apple logo.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume button and the Power button > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 6s or earlier: Press both the Power button and the Home button for seconds > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

hard reset iphone

3# Update to the latest iOS

An outdated version of iOS can also result in iPhone screen red issue. Updating your iPhone to the latest iOS may end this particular problem.

Go to Settings on your iPhone > Tap General > Software Update > If any update is available, download and install it.

ios software update

However, if you cannot update iOS on iPhone directly, you may need to use iTunes to update your iOS. Here’s the step-by-step process of updating iOS using iTunes.

Steps to update iOS using iTunes
Step 1. Launch the latest version of iTunes > Connect your red-screen iPhone via USB.

Step 2. Tap the phone icon > Click Summary > Click Check for Update to confirm whether there’s a new iOS update.

update ios via itunes

Step 3. Upon confirmation, you can press Update to update your red-screen iPhone to the latest version.

4# Enter recovery mode and restore with iTunes

Restoring your iPhone using iTunes after entering recovery mode can indeed help resolve the red screen of death issue. However, as you correctly pointed out, this method results in the loss of all data on your iPhone, effectively resetting it to factory settings.

Therefore, it's crucial to consider this option carefully and make sure you have a full backup of your iPhone data if you decide to proceed.

Steps to put your iPhone into recovery mode
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer > Go to iTunes, click phone icon > Click Summary > Click Back Up Now.

back up now iTunes

Step 2. Put your iPhone into recovery mode. The steps are slight different depending on the model of iPhone you’re using:
>> For an iPhone 8 or later : Press the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, then briefly hold down the Side (or Top) button until the recovery mode screen appears.
>> For iPhone 7/7P: Simultaneously press and hold the Side (or Top) and Volume Down buttons.
>> For iPhone6, SE, and older: Hold down the Side (or Top) and Home buttons together until the recovery mode screen is shown.

iphone recovery mode

Step 3. Back to iTunes > Click the phone icon in the upper-left corner > When a prompt appears, click Restore and wait for the process to finish.

restore iphone in recovery mode

When it is finished, you can set up your iPhone as if it was new. After going through these setup processes, you’ll be offered the option to restore from a backup.

5# Check the hardware at Apple Store

If, unfortunately, the red screen issue persists after trying the software-based solutions and the problem appears to be related to hardware, it's best to seek assistance from Apple's official support or visit an Apple Store. Apple's experts can perform a thorough diagnostic and determine if there's a hardware problem causing the red screen issue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, encountering iPad/iPhone red screen can be a stressful experience, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the issue and get your device back to normal.

Remember to keep your device protected from water and extreme temperatures to minimize the risk of encountering the red screen problem in the first place. If this guide is helpful, please share it to help more people.

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