Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I have five days left to return the iphone. I don't live in a country where we have the luxury of an apple store. If the return window lapses, I'm gonna have to deal with an authorized reseller. I'm starting to get really annoyed with Apple not saying a word about this. I even called their customer support and they literally tried to pin this on the screen protector. I took the thing off and the problem is still there. The typing experience in particular is dismal. I really regret selling my previous iPhone. They should at least tell us if it's something they plan to fix.
Yeah. It has nothing to do with screen shields. I genuinely think it’s an iOS 18 thing. Mine is getting worse too. Idk if processes are hung up or what but everything is a slow and painful mess. Typing is getting even slower. I actually can’t believe it at this point.

I know some of us (myself for sure) have beat this like a dead horse but I’m furious. If I’m paying this much for a device from a company like Apple, I expect a certain standard. It’s ridiculous we don’t know if they are even aware of this problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3Rock
Curious as well. I did the device-to-device. If iCloud backup seems to not have these problems I’m just wiping this and restoring it immediately.
I did the device-to-device as well. For the most part, phone has been fine, absent this touch screen issue discussed here. I feel like the phone was better on the original iOS 18.0 build it came with. The day 1 update to match my 15 PM seems to have been worse. I didn't install it until a few days after getting the phone - didn't realize it was available.
 
I’m not getting any of these touch issues since day two of ownership anymore. I also did factory reset and this time around an iCloud restore yesterday. Was having issues with iCloud messages. Which I still do. So unrelated. Using case and tempered glass screen protector. If anyone wants me to test send me links on how to about testing this issue. Only one I know of is , going into settings screen holding the area side of the camera button and scrolling with left hand .
 
iCloud backup both times.
And your most recent erase and restore seems to have fixed it? If so, I might give it a go. I’ve been doing device to device since we could. Same deal as the past for the restore via iCloud just erase all content and settings then log in with iCloud (obviously will take a backup right before it’s erased)? It’s been awhile.
 
Did device-to-device right out of the box, 16 pro, then updated iOS. Have not really had the issues raised here, have noticed few screen lags when holding the phone in right hand and palm slightly touching screen.
 
I was anticipating another beta release for the iPhone yesterday, but none was released even today. My suspicion is that it is either the hardware or, if it’s software, they’re struggling to find a solution to this issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Zed
I’m having an issue when holding the phone with my right hand. If I try and scroll with just my right thumb, nothing happens. Weird thing is if I do the same with my left hand, no issues at all. 16PM
 
I’m having an issue when holding the phone with my right hand. If I try and scroll with just my right thumb, nothing happens. Weird thing is if I do the same with my left hand, no issues at all. 16PM
Known issue. Apple is being tight lipped not saying if its hardware or software issue. We don’t know yet. If it is a hardware issue, they will have a big problem on their hands.
 
Okay, so my touch issues are back after restoring the phone using "Recovery mode" with USB-C cable connected to my Macbook. This is the standard procedure for software related glitches.

This time it didn't solve any of my issues. ProRAW is still broken while focusing on distant objects in low light. And touch issues are now back.

I am pretty sure that the phone was more snappy and had no issues the first hours after resetting it using the recovery mode option. This is good news and could indicate some kind of software issue where the palm rejection algorithm is adjusting to touch input during the first time of usage when phone is completely restored.

I have a word game where you play by swiping through letters on the screen to create words. This is how I first noticed that something is off with my 16 Pro Max as it sometimes freezes when I swipe over the letters. When I tried playing it yesterday directly after restoring, the game worked flawlessly. No issues whatsoever. Today, the issues are back.

So I am right now 90% confident that it is a software issue that can be solved.
 
Okay, so my touch issues are back after restoring the phone using "Recovery mode" with USB-C cable connected to my Macbook. This is the standard procedure for software related glitches.

This time it didn't solve any of my issues. ProRAW is still broken while focusing on distant objects in low light. And touch issues are now back.

I am pretty sure that the phone was more snappy and had no issues the first hours after resetting it using the recovery mode option. This is good news and could indicate some kind of software issue where the palm rejection algorithm is adjusting to touch input during the first time of usage when phone is completely restored.

I have a word game where you play by swiping through letters on the screen to create words. This is how I first noticed that something is off with my 16 Pro Max as it sometimes freezes when I swipe over the letters. When I tried playing it yesterday directly after restoring, the game worked flawlessly. No issues whatsoever. Today, the issues are back.

So I am right now 90% confident that it is a software issue that can be solved.
Thanks for sharing! It’s concerning that Apple don’t regard this as critical or/and can not confirm the issue and quickly fix it. Really hope they send out 18.0.1 today so affected units can start work as normal again!
 
I received my 16 Pro Max on 9/26. I have experienced zero touch issues with the screen.

Although I'm sure I've just jinxed myself and now I will get them, but up until this point there was been none.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Carlsberg69
If Apple does not fix this in the upcoming 18.0.1 I'm returning this thing. My fear is that Apple will say this only affects a small percentage of users and not prioritize fixing it.
 
So I initially had an 16 pro and couldn't replicate this but noticed it on the 16PM I just switched to. I don't use a case or screen protector. It definitely seems like an issue with palm rejection around the camera control button. Luckily it hasn't really affected me so far in daily use since the only way I could reach to the left edge with my right hand is using my phone grip (snap luxe) which floats my palm a little higher on the edge. I could see this being a daily annoyance for people with large hands and no grip though.
 
Since there was no iOS release today and I only have two days to return, I will be returning my phone tomorrow. I have already reset it. I will revisit buying one again once I can confirm that they have actually fixed this issue. I don't want to take a chance in case this was actually hardware related and Apple gives customers hard time fixing it. Easier to return than wait.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3Rock
I've started a return on mine. When Apple gets its sh*t together and fixes the problem, I'll re-purchase. It just hurts to pay 1800 dollars (with taxes) for a brand new phone and it just doesn't work and the company is completely silent on it and when you actually contact them they insult your intelligence by pretending the issue is simply caused by a screen protector. How the apple has fallen.

If Apple actually fixes the problem, I may go for the pro this time, the max is too big making one hand use almost impossible.
 
Last edited:
I have three 16-series phones at the moment, two 16 Pro Max and one 16 Pro. 16 Pro and one 16 Pro Max do not have any touchscreen issues while the other 16 Pro Max does. They are all using the exact same kind of screen protector, applied the same way, exact same apps, and are all on the same OS release. They have all been updated and reset as well, just to rule out any possible discrepancies or artefacts from system updates. This leads me to believe that the issue is hardware related somehow. It does not mean that it cannot be addressed by software, but it does appear to be hardware.

As an aside, I did also notice that the three phones all have different screen white point. One phone is distinctly more yellow, one is distinctly more red, and one is fairly neutral, even under identical lighting conditions.
 
I have three 16-series phones at the moment, two 16 Pro Max and one 16 Pro. 16 Pro and one 16 Pro Max do not have any touchscreen issues while the other 16 Pro Max does. They are all using the exact same kind of screen protector, applied the same way, exact same apps, and are all on the same OS release. They have all been updated and reset as well, just to rule out any possible discrepancies or artefacts from system updates. This leads me to believe that the issue is hardware related somehow. It does not mean that it cannot be addressed by software, but it does appear to be hardware.

As an aside, I did also notice that the three phones all have different screen white point. One phone is distinctly more yellow, one is distinctly more red, and one is fairly neutral, even under identical lighting conditions.
I don't know I feel like you maybe right on this. I really do think it's hardware. If it's software, how can one have issue while the others don't if they had been reset completely and no backup was restored. It just doesn't make sense.
 
Since there was no iOS release today and I only have two days to return, I will be returning my phone tomorrow. I have already reset it. I will revisit buying one again once I can confirm that they have actually fixed this issue. I don't want to take a chance in case this was actually hardware related and Apple gives customers hard time fixing it. Easier to return than wait.
You can always call AppleCare and get a note on file for an extension to the return window as you are awaiting a software update for this issue. A manager will honor this in store. Also, Apple is pretty lenient overall on the 14 day return window during a launch, managers typically will do an override up to 30 days. (But having the note on file is better as you know where you stand going in).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Carlsberg69
You can always call AppleCare and get a note on file for an extension to the return window as you are awaiting a software update for this issue. A manager will honor this in store. Also, Apple is pretty lenient overall on the 14 day return window during a launch, managers typically will do an override up to 30 days. (But having the note on file is better as you know where you stand going in).
We only have two Apple stores in this city. Perhaps Apple stores are more lenient in the US but definitely not in Canada, at least from my personal experience. Anyhow, it's been reset and back in the box. Will be dropped off to Apple Store tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dejanh
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.