Want to keep your night vision sharp while using your iPhone? The iPhone has a hidden “night vision” feature that turns your screen red. This can help reduce the harmful effects of blue and green light on your eyes at night.
Activating the red screen is simple. By using the Accessibility Shortcut and enabling Color Filters, you can swiftly switch between the standard screen and a red tint. This feature is handy for night use, making it easier on your eyes.
Dealing with a red screen issue on your iPhone can be frustrating. Your iPhone might have a red screen of death due to software problems. Follow a few troubleshooting steps to restore your device. Key methods include using DFU Mode and other fixes.
Red Screen on iPhone: Causes and Solutions
Seeing a red screen on your iPhone can be alarming, especially if it appears suddenly or prevents normal use. The issue can range from simple settings problems to serious hardware faults. This guide explains the most common causes of a red screen on iPhone and provides step-by-step solutions to help you fix it.
What Does a Red Screen on iPhone Mean?
A red screen can appear in several ways:
- A solid red display
- A red tint or overlay
- Red lines or flashes
- Red screen during startup or after an update
The cause usually falls into one of three categories:
- Display or accessibility settings
- Software glitches
- Hardware damage
Common Causes of a Red Screen on iPhone
1. Color Filters or Accessibility Settings
Apple’s accessibility features can alter display colors, sometimes making the screen appear red.
Examples include:
- Color Filters
- Reduce White Point
- Smart Invert or Classic Invert
2. iOS Software Glitches
Temporary bugs can occur after:
- iOS updates
- App crashes
- System freezes
- Incomplete software installations
3. True Tone or Display Calibration Issues
Display calibration problems may cause color distortion, especially after repairs or system updates.
4. Overheating
When an iPhone overheats, display anomalies—including red or pink tints—can appear temporarily.
5. Physical or Liquid Damage
Hardware problems are a major cause of red screens:
- Dropped phone
- Cracked screen
- Water exposure
- Damaged display connectors
6. Faulty Screen or Internal Components
A failing OLED/LCD panel or GPU-related issues can cause persistent red screens or lines.
How to Fix a Red Screen on iPhone
Solution 1: Check Color Filters
- Go to Settings → Accessibility
- Tap Display & Text Size
- Select Color Filters
- Turn Color Filters off
✅ If the red screen disappears, the issue was a settings configuration.
Solution 2: Disable Invert Colors
- Open Settings → Accessibility
- Tap Display & Text Size
- Turn off Smart Invert and Classic Invert
Solution 3: Restart Your iPhone
A simple restart can clear temporary system glitches.
Restart steps (Face ID models):
- Press and hold the Side button + Volume button
- Slide to power off
- Turn the phone back on
Solution 4: Force Restart
If the screen is stuck or unresponsive:
- iPhone 8 or later:
- Press and release Volume Up
- Press and release Volume Down
- Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
Solution 5: Update iOS
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update
- Install any available updates
Updates often fix known display bugs.
Solution 6: Reset All Settings
This removes system settings without deleting personal data.
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset
- Choose Reset All Settings
Solution 7: Restore iPhone Using a Computer
If software corruption is suspected:
- Connect iPhone to a Mac or PC
- Open Finder or iTunes
- Put iPhone into Recovery Mode
- Select Update or Restore
⚠️ Restoring erases data—back up first if possible.
When the Red Screen Is Likely Hardware-Related
The issue is probably hardware if:
- The red screen persists after a factory reset
- Red lines or patches remain visible
- The iPhone was recently dropped or exposed to liquid
- The display flickers or doesn’t respond to touch
What to Do for Hardware Issues
- Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider
- Avoid third-party screen replacements if under warranty
- If water damage occurred, stop using the phone immediately
How to Prevent Red Screen Issues
- Use a protective case and screen protector
- Avoid exposing the iPhone to moisture or extreme heat
- Keep iOS updated
- Enable automatic backups
Final Thoughts
A red screen on an iPhone can be caused by something as simple as an accessibility setting or as serious as display hardware failure. Start with quick fixes like checking color filters and restarting your device, then move on to software resets. If none of the solutions work, professional repair is likely required. Acting early can prevent further damage and help restore your iPhone to normal operation.
Key Takeaways
- Activating the red screen on an iPhone is quick and easy for night use.
- The red tint feature can help reduce eye strain by decreasing blue light.
- Troubleshooting the red screen of death involves specific steps to restore normal function.
Troubleshooting the Red Screen Issue on iPhone
When an iPhone screen turns red, it can indicate a software or hardware problem. This guide provides steps to identify and fix common causes of this issue.
Initial Steps and Simple Fixes
First, try to force restart the iPhone. For most models, press and hold the “Sleep/Wake” and “Volume Down” buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
Next, check if the issue is related to the display settings. Go to the Settings app, tap General, then Accessibility. Ensure color filters are off and brightness is set to an optimal level.
Review if accessibility shortcuts might trigger the red screen. Triple-click the home button to see if it changes. Also, confirm that settings for these shortcuts are as intended.
If the problem persists, updating the iPhone might help. Plug it into a computer and use iTunes or Finder to update to the latest iOS version.
Advanced Solutions
If simple fixes don’t work, entering Recovery Mode might be needed. Connect the iPhone to a computer and open iTunes or Finder. Then follow these steps:
- For iPhone 8 and newer, press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
- For iPhone 7, press and hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake buttons together until recovery mode shows up.
- For older models, press the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons together.
From there, choose to Update or Restore the iPhone.
If this fails, try DFU Mode. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home/Volume Down button together. Release the Sleep/Wake button after 10 seconds but keep holding the other button until iTunes/Finder detects the DFU Mode.
Identifying Hardware Problems
Sometimes, a red screen points to a hardware issue. This often happens with older models like the iPhone 5s. To diagnose hardware problems, consider these steps.
Check for loose display cables by carefully pressing down around the screen’s edges. Replace the SIM tray to ensure it’s working properly. Inspect for physical damage, especially if the iPhone has been dropped.
If it’s still not fixed, there might be internal damage. A faulty battery or logic board could be the cause. It’s best to visit an Apple Store or a certified repair provider for a thorough inspection.
Use Apple’s support tools and resources for additional help. They offer diagnostic tests online and in-store that could pinpoint the issue.
