OK so it's not just me. It's definitely been taking me more tries than it should to push the torch or camera buttons from the lock screen.
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iPhone 12 Mini Users Report Lock Screen Touch Sensitivity Issues
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Is anyone having issues with an apple silicone case only and no screen protector? My mini will arrive today and wondering if I shouldn't even bother with activating it yet and hold off until there's a fix?
I have the same issue here with the mini. Screenprotector and Apple leather case. Hope it’s not a hardware issue.
That's one large hand!
A significant number of new iPhone 12 mini owners are reporting Lock Screen sensitivity issues since receiving their phones. The MacRumors forum has a post running several pages describing the issue, and the thread has been shared on Reddit, where more users are reporting similar problems.
Specifically, the problem manifests for most users when swiping up from the bottom of the Lock Screen using their thumb to unlock the device, or when pressing the torch or camera buttons on the Lock Screen.
The display doesn't always recognize the press or the swipe up to unlock. Other fingers seem to have more luck and the sensitivity issues end once the iPhone 12 mini is unlocked.
Some users speculate that the lack of responsiveness could be a conductivity or grounding issue, because there are reports that it resolves itself when the handset is plugged into a wall charger, or when touching the frame without a case.
However, there's no consensus yet on what's causing the problem and whether it's hardware or software related, but hopefully it's the latter and Apple can release an update to resolve the issue soon.
Article Link: iPhone 12 Mini Users Report Lock Screen Touch Sensitivity Issues
The issue arise when you have both screen protector on and a case. If you have either one on but not the other you won’t experience it.
I have the issue as well, but to me the problem shows up only if the phone has been locked for a while (maybe one minute or two). If I unlock it, lock it and then immediately try to unlock it, or turn the torch or the camera on from the lock screen, it works fine.
I am using both a screen protector and a case (both spigen). Without the case all seems fine. I have spoken with customer care. For now their solution is: don't use the case.
The fact that it works fine if I try to unlock the phone a few seconds after locking, makes me think it's more of a software issue.
But Apple has to solve it immediately. I, for example, have already missed a couple of phone calls because of this problem: I could not activate the "answer call" slider. Also, I couldn't access the home screen during a phone call.
The problem shows up also immediately after reboot.
For the moment I am using as a workaround the accessibility function "double tap on the back for home" but I'm not sure whether it works every time or not.
I am using both a screen protector and a case (both spigen). Without the case all seems fine. I have spoken with customer care. For now their solution is: don't use the case.
The fact that it works fine if I try to unlock the phone a few seconds after locking, makes me think it's more of a software issue.
But Apple has to solve it immediately. I, for example, have already missed a couple of phone calls because of this problem: I could not activate the "answer call" slider. Also, I couldn't access the home screen during a phone call.
The problem shows up also immediately after reboot.
For the moment I am using as a workaround the accessibility function "double tap on the back for home" but I'm not sure whether it works every time or not.
The consensus is quite clear: It's an issue that only affects the lock screen (for a possible explanation, see for instance comment #314 on this page, which I fully agree with) but is not observed in normal operation of the phone "post-unlock".
As such, there should be little doubt that it could be "fixed" with a software update and/or firmware update.
The question remains though if there'd be any negative and unwanted "side effects" to that.
It seems to inevitably require an adjustment of the sensitivity threshold with which the devices registers and identifies user input on the display in lock screen. "Small" and/or light touches with the tip (or side) of the fingers seem to registered well, whereas "bigger"/stonger touches with the thumb seem to be identified as accidental.
This gives raise to the question whether a potential fix will increase power consumption of the device and/or the risk of accidental input not being registered as such (turning on the display, accidentally dialling emergency from the lock screen, turning on the camera, etc.).
This is why I think yes it can be solved by software but still require hardware to really fix the issue.
but I totally agree with everything you said here
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Thanks. I've just returned mine and will wait for this software update to see if it really gets fixed, as I'm worried it'll require a hardware fix, and don't want to get a refurb Apple device replacement a few months from now.
Well it was close, the actual comment was "Just avoid holding it in that way"
I’d like to believe it’s just a software issue but what concerns me is that: 1) all works fine without the case but with the screen protector still on, so it’s not a “screen only” issue 2) all works fine when a charger is plugged in
These two facts point towards an already mentioned “grounding” related problem.
I have a Yootech screen protector and a Casekoo case. So far I am not seeing any problems but I am using one hand to hold the phone and the other to turn on the flashlight or the camera and to swipe to unlock. I can swipe to unlock one-handed. But I can’t do anything else one handed because my hands are too small. I just got my mini today.
(Is this something i would notice right away or does it happen over time?)
(Is this something i would notice right away or does it happen over time?)
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5G Apple iPhone 12 mini has a small screen with a big problem
The Apple iPhone 12 mini is having problems with touch input and Apple believes that it is a problem with the software. Since Apple is aware of the issue, hopefully an update is coming soon.
www.phonearena.com
need more places to cover the story and get apple to respond
5G Apple iPhone 12 mini has a small screen with a big problem
The Apple iPhone 12 mini is having problems with touch input and Apple believes that it is a problem with the software. Since Apple is aware of the issue, hopefully an update is coming soon.
need more places to cover the story and get apple to respon
I’ve conducted a few more tests.
One point for the grounding related hypothesis. I have both a case and a screen protector. The case has a hole that shows the apple logo. If I touch the logo with my index finger and operate the screen with the thumb, all works fine.
Yet another person with this issue chiming in. Got my Mini on Friday, used a couple different cases with no issue. Stopped by Best Buy on Saturday to have a screen protector in as I'm a ham-handed fool with said protectors, and then all this started right after I left the store. Taking the case off made the issue go away, putting any case (Otterbox, Speck Presidio2 Grip, Apple silicone case) on made it start again.
Went back to Best Buy hoping to get a refund for the protector even though they usually don't do that...and I demonstrated the issue for the guys at the mobile desk. They were flabbergasted, and I pointed them towards this thread and a few Reddit threads as well. They gave me my money back and told me they'd let anyone with a mini who came in looking for a screen protector know about what's going on. I promised I'd let them know if the issue gets addressed via Apple!
So at least my local Best Buy now knows about the issue and will hopefully steer people clear from screen protectors for the moment. Maybe!
Went back to Best Buy hoping to get a refund for the protector even though they usually don't do that...and I demonstrated the issue for the guys at the mobile desk. They were flabbergasted, and I pointed them towards this thread and a few Reddit threads as well. They gave me my money back and told me they'd let anyone with a mini who came in looking for a screen protector know about what's going on. I promised I'd let them know if the issue gets addressed via Apple!
So at least my local Best Buy now knows about the issue and will hopefully steer people clear from screen protectors for the moment. Maybe!
I wonder what’s going on. My mini arrived and was set up just a few hours ago. I was told about this issue and the work around using the accessibility setting. So I was set to do that. I put my Casekoo case on which is similar to a Spigen Ultra Hybrid. I got a 4 pack of Yootech screen protectors from Amazon/Woot. Put it all together. And it’s all functioning normally.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled. I’ve already returned a 12 Pro and am going to ship a regular 12 back. I want this to be a keeper. I just am wondering why mine is working (so far) and others’ aren’t.
I need to go back through this thread and see if others are working okay.
I have the same issue as well, but only with 1 out of my 2 iPhone minis. I ordered a black and a white iPhone mini 64GB last week and only the white iPhone is unresponsive on the lockscreen. The black iPhone works fine. Both of them have a screen protector and the same case 
My iPhone 12 Mini is great. No issues. Best iPhone since the iPhone 5s or original SE. No more terrible slippery iPhone 6 - iPhone 11 design! Thank you Apple. Keep the iPhones small!
Seen that issue and it went away as soon as I update too 14.2 (this issue was explicitly fixed in iOS 14.2)
