As per the research conducted in 2025, there are around 1.5 billion iPhone users worldwide. This massive number is continuously increasing day by day, making Apple one of the dominant companies. iPhone has gained too much popularity due to the regular launching of iOS models with all-new features, incredible shapes, and appealing visuals.
However, most iPhone users encounter various issues. iPhone's grey screen issue is at the top of the list. Whether you are facing this issue or not, continue reading to learn the reasons for it and the recovery guide to help your loved ones.
A grey screen issue on an iPhone is exactly what the name identifies. Your iPhone's display turns dull or flat grey and becomes unresponsive to touch. You cannot view any icons, notifications, or backlighting that works correctly. This ultimately led many people to refer to this condition as the "iPhone Grey Screen of Death," as it completely freezes up your device.
Times When it Mostly Happens?
During restart of the device or boot-up.
After the iOS update (especially after major releases like iOS 26).
Some apps contain malicious content and can conflict with system files.
On jailbreaking attempts or after restoring from the backup.
Grey Screen Vs. Black Screen
An empty black screen typically indicates that your device has either been switched off or its battery has died, rendering the iPhone screen unresponsive.
White screens often signal hardware or display connector failure.
iPhone Grey screens, on the other hand, present more challenging issues. They typically signify software instability or screen controller issues, but they still allow background functions to run as expected.
2. What Causes the iPhone Grey Screen?
Grey screens can occur due to several reasons. Let's uncover the most common reasons here if you are also searching why is my iPhone screen grey:
iOS System Glitches: iOS system glitches are one of the primary causes of iPhone grey screen issues after major software updates such as iOS 26. When an iOS system encounters bugs or errors with its boot process or rendering engine, devices with limited internal space are particularly susceptible. Beta profiles have more chances for this, which also disrupt system stability.
Display Hardware Malfunction: Issues related to an iPhone's display can also result in grey screens. Loose connectors, malfunctioning LCD panels, and damage to its internal controller can obstruct accurate rendering. This often happens due to accidental drops, exposure to moisture, or general wear over time. If we compare hardware vs software issue iPhone, the software glitches might temporarily resolve with rebooting, otherwise a professional inspection or screen replacement is required.
Overheatingor Memory Overload: Running multiple apps or processes simultaneously on an iPhone can strain its RAM memory or cause overheating. This potentially exceeds the thermal limits and prompts its protective mechanisms to display a grey screen as a safeguard against further damage.
3.Basic Fixes to Try First
It is better to implement these simple and effective methods initially to resolve this issue.
1. Force Restart
The force restart helps resolve several iPhone issues, including the grey screen issue. However, the steps for different iPhone models may vary.
For iPhone 8 and later devices, press and release the two buttons one by one i.e. Volume Up button and the Down button. Then, hold the side button until the Apple logo is shown.
2. Turn the Grayscale Feature Off
If you are seeing an iPhone grey screen before you have mistakenly turned on the Grayscale Mode, then you can simply turn off the feature.
Step 1: Go to the “Settings” app on your device.
Step 2: Click “General” and then find and tap “Accessibility”.
Step 3: The next step is to tap “Display Accommodations”. Under this, you need to click “Color Filters”. If the grayscale mode is turned on, you have to turn it off.
Restore the Device or Update with iTunes
Step 1: Connect iOS device to PC.
Step 2: Open iTunes and then choose the device.
Step 3: Try the 'Update' feature to get the latest iOS version or proceed with restoring the device.
4.Use ReiBoot to Fix the iPhone's Grey Screen Without Data Loss
ReiBoot is an iOS repair tool primarily intended to fix all iOS common issues including white, black or grey screen issues. Using the Standard Repair feature, it can resolve 150-plus issues on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and MacOS without losing the device's data. This iPhone stuck on the grey screen fix tool is free to download from theofficial website and is also intuitive to use.
Key Features
Downgrade iOS version: In addition to upgrading iOS to the latest version, iOS 26, ReiBoot allows users to downgrade the iOS version to store previous features.
Factory Reset the iPhone: Users can factory reset the phone without needing to enter the password or Apple ID. This would erase all the data and make it unrecoverable, allowing the device to be sold confidently in the market.
Fix iTunes Issues: ReiBoot can fix 200+ iTunes errors, including the 4013, 1110, and 2009 errors. Furthermore, it fixes iTunes connectivity problems.
Device Repair: ReiBoot system repair can fix any iOS device with a few clicks. Standard repair is done for normal issues, while deep repair is chosen for detailed analysis and repair. In deep repair, data loss is prevalent. So, creating a backup is necessary.
How to fix iPhone Grey Screen with ReiBoot?
install ReiBoot
Download ReiBoot on your PC and access it from the 'Downloads' folder to install. After installing, open it and choose 'Start repair' from the main interface.
Choose Standard Repair
From the two options, i.e.standard repair and deep repair, choose a standard to prevent data loss.
Get the Firmware
Download the firmware on your device by clicking the "Download" button.
Note:
It might take some time as it is a 5GB file.
Start Repairing
Once the firmware is downloaded, choose standard repair and wait until it gets completed.
After repairing, the device will reboot, and the grey screen issue will be resolved.
5.When to Consider Hardware Repair?
If even the ReiBoot fails to resolve this issue, please check the hardware.
Physical Damage: Cracked displays can expose internal components and compromise them. This causes grey screen iPhone hardware damage that needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
Flickering: Look out for flickering or lines as they suggest potential display damage or other flaws.
Color Shifts: When your screen transitions between grey, white, or black images, it could indicate that something is wrong with its display panel. So, iPhone screen repairing is needed.
Note:
Visit the nearest Apple Store or any authorized dealer for better assistance. they will definitely have better tools and software to diagnose the actual cause and can restore it with warranty.
6.How to Prevent the Grey Screen in the Future
If you want to get rid of this problem permanently, try these precautionary measures:
Avoid Beta Profiles: For your own safety, avoid beta versions like iOS 26 beta, which may contain bugs prone to grey screens like iOS 25 beta.
Maintain iOS Up-To-Date: Download stable iOS updates regularly to patch any known glitches. Open the Settings > General > Software Update.
Monitor Phone Temperatures: When in use, it is best not to expose your iPhone directly to extreme heat or direct sunlight. Should it overheat, allow time for cooling before continuing its usage.
Uninstall Problematic Apps: Identify and delete apps that frequently crash or use excessive resources by visiting Settings > General > iPhone Storage to identify them for deletion.
Regular Backups: Protect yourself against grey screen restore issues by regularly backing up your iPhone using either iCloud or another computer service, including Applecare+ for iPhone to prevent grey screen on iPhone.
7.Final Thoughts
An iPhone grey screen is a problematic issue most iOS users face, but it can be addressed in most cases. Whether it is caused by software or hardware, iPhone grey screen can be fixed easily by following the above methods. From general force restart to the advanced ReiBoot repair tool, every method can be applied effectively. However, Tenorshare ReiBoot can serve several purposes, such as downgrading the iOS version, fixing iTunes issues, and system repair, which makes it the best way to fix iPhone grey screen. So, it's better to download ReiBoot for free than other methods and avoid grey screen issues.
By Jenefey Aaron
2025-06-17 / iOS 26