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iPhone 12 Mini Users Report Lock Screen Touch Sensitivity Issues

I got it too, with Apple Silicone case and screen protector.

It's really weird. Mostly, my right thumb works on the camera button, my left thumb on the flashlist, but not vice versa. All other fingers work reliably. An old "rubber" stylus also works reliably. edit: using the thumb at a 90° angle also works reliably.

It really looks like the "pressure" detection that replaced 3D Touch is at fault. But it's weird that grounding seems to fix it.
 
Last edited:
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Someone found this on Twitter
 
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I also got in touch with Apple Support on Twitter and got a similar reply, so I guess it's at least under investigation.
In terms of the display being unresponsive on lock screen, we’ve heard reports of the issue you're describing, and it’s currently under review. We don’t have a solution at this time, but recommend that you keep your device up-to-date using Software Update.
Click to expand...
 
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It works better for me if I use the side of my thumb instead of the flat part to unlock the screen. The rest of the fingers seem to trigger the screen well.
 
misterhim said:
It works better for me if I use the side of my thumb instead of the flat part to unlock the screen. The rest of the fingers seem to trigger the screen well.
Click to expand...

That sounds like some sort of ”palm rejection” algorithm is estimating the skin surface area incorrectly. It thinks you’re using a palm rather than a finger, when a fat finger like a thumb touches it. Interesting find, gotta test it. Some people also said that the tip of the finger works better. We’re quite literally touching it wrong.

Today I couldn’t answer two phone calls. The slider just didn’t move. As Agent Smith put it in 1999: ”What good is a phone call, if you are unable to speak?” Had to call back.

So, now using it case-free.

Since some of the support personnel have confirmed it’s an issue, perhaps one of the next 14.3 betas would fix it. The first one was just released. It may be a grounding issue or something completely else, but I don’t believe that it couldn’t be fixed via software, since the rest of the phone works fine.

An amazing device in every other sense. No way I’d return it for a regular 12.
 
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Having major issues with unlocking 12 mini with code (since I am wearing a mask just cuz) and swiping up. Also have missed answering calls from lock screen. I can also report a few “touch issues”when using phone normally. Here is Apple support comment:

25621B0E-99F9-4908-91CB-F12903A49C61.jpeg
 
***UPDATE***
OK, so as they said they would, I got a call back from Apple after they heard back from their engineer. I am at "tier 2" support. They called, but guess what, I couldn't answer the call! DOH! I called them back and here is what I was told.

They know about this and are working on it, but do not know when it will be resolved. I was also told it is a software and not a hardware issue. Those are their words, not mine. Either way, hoping for a resolution before too long. I have 8 days left on my 14 day return period, but don't want to go that route. He said he would call me back in a week to follow up.

So, nothing concrete, but wanted to give the latest info. Sounds like others have heard the same thing...
 
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I have an issue with brightness. When I compare my new mini to my old Xs, my Xs is much brighter even though they are rated the same nits.
 
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Orange Turtle said:
***UPDATE***
OK, so as they said they would, I got a call back from Apple after they heard back from their engineer. I am at "tier 2" support. They called, but guess what, I couldn't answer the call! DOH! I called them back and here is what I was told.

They know about this and are working on it, but do not know when it will be resolved. I was also told it is a software and not a hardware issue. Those are their words, not mine. Either way, hoping for a resolution before too long. I have 8 days left on my 14 day return period, but don't want to go that route. He said he would call me back in a week to follow up.

So, nothing concrete, but wanted to give the latest info. Sounds like others have heard the same thing...
Click to expand...
lol companies will never call it a hardware issue unless they have no choice, otherwise they lose out so much money for recalling a bunch of iPhone 12 minis AROUND THE WORLD. I just hope they find a fix to this solution via software.

FYI even if they do find a fix via software, they MIGHT change the internals for future iPhone 12 minis which in this sense it is a hardware fix.
 
Orange Turtle said:
***UPDATE***
OK, so as they said they would, I got a call back from Apple after they heard back from their engineer. I am at "tier 2" support. They called, but guess what, I couldn't answer the call! DOH! I called them back and here is what I was told.

They know about this and are working on it, but do not know when it will be resolved. I was also told it is a software and not a hardware issue. Those are their words, not mine. Either way, hoping for a resolution before too long. I have 8 days left on my 14 day return period, but don't want to go that route. He said he would call me back in a week to follow up.

So, nothing concrete, but wanted to give the latest info. Sounds like others have heard the same thing...
Click to expand...
hopefully that's the case and it is indeed a software issue
 
MacRumors said:


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.

iphone-12-mini-front.jpg

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
Click to expand...
One Customer had the same problem, only when answering calls in locked mode.
Removing protection glass did not solve the problem.
What did solved the problem was putting Assistive Touch on. Slide to answer call in lock mode is working fine now, only the Assistive Touch button is in the homescreen now.
Maybe it helps for others who are having this problem.
 
Hi, waiting and worried a 12 pro max. Had same issue with iPad Pro 2018, solved with a non glass screen protector.
 
Orange Turtle said:
***UPDATE***
OK, so as they said they would, I got a call back from Apple after they heard back from their engineer. I am at "tier 2" support. They called, but guess what, I couldn't answer the call! DOH! I called them back and here is what I was told.

They know about this and are working on it, but do not know when it will be resolved. I was also told it is a software and not a hardware issue. Those are their words, not mine. Either way, hoping for a resolution before too long. I have 8 days left on my 14 day return period, but don't want to go that route. He said he would call me back in a week to follow up.

So, nothing concrete, but wanted to give the latest info. Sounds like others have heard the same thing...
Click to expand...
In the U.S. as well as Europe, Apple has extended the return period for the mini. Make sure to follow up with that. In the U.S. the return is until 1.8.21.
 
Is this happening ONLY on the mini? If so, I want to return it before my 14 days are up. It’s annoying as I don’t like going caseless or without screen protector...

Off topic but also the mini is to small for my cars charger... first world problems I guess.
 
***update****

One more thing I noticed that I forgot to mention. I hold my phone in my left hand and when unlocking with my left thumb and having an issue with the buttons register properly, I noticed that if I push the button with a right to left motion as opposed to the natural left to right motion of my hand hitting the button, the buttons seem to be more responsive. Has anyone else noticed this?

(doesn't seem to help with sliding the button to answer the phone though).
 
shanep2300 said:
Is this happening ONLY on the mini?
Click to expand...
Yes, certainly only the mini. But I'm keeping mine. First world problems alright. Just use fingertips for now. All the times this kind of thing has happened before. We're still ironing out bugs. Added to that the fact that this is the only reasonably sized iPhone for me, excluding the SE 2020.
 
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SSD-GUY said:
Wow just as I returned my mini!

Has this worked then for those that have updated?
Click to expand...
Just updated my mini, no issues opening the camera and flashlight or swiping to answer calls with my left thumb anymore. I also have the silicon case with a glass screen protector. Issue is fixed on my end.
 
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