iPhone 16 Pro Max Screen Goes Black After iOS 18.5 Update (Software Bug?)

Hi everyone,

I'm experiencing a quite frustrating issue with my iPhone 16 Pro Max (US model e-sim).

The Problem:

Ever since updating to iOS 18.5, the phone's screen occasionally fails to turn on. The phone itself remains functional:

  • I can hear notification sounds.
  • I hear the click sound when pressing the side button to lock the screen.
  • I can even launch the camera and take photos, but the screen remains black.
  • This usually happens when the phone has been in sleep mode for a while and I try to "wake" it up.

What Temporarily Helps:

Performing a force restart (quickly press and release Volume Up, then quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears) temporarily resolves the issue, and the screen starts working normally again. However, after some time, the problem can reoccur. Sometimes, the screen even turns on by itself without any action from my side.

What I've Tried:

  • Force restart (helps, but only temporarily).
  • I haven't noticed any patterns in when the problem occurs (it's not linked to specific apps, phone temperature, battery level, or any other actions).

My Assumption:

The fact that this issue started immediately after updating to iOS 18.5 strongly suggests that it is likely a software bug within the operating system itself, rather than a hardware malfunction.

Has anyone else experienced a similar issue with an iPhone 16 Pro Max (or other models) after updating to iOS 18.5? What solutions have you tried?

I'd appreciate any advice or confirmation that I'm not alone with this. Hopefully, Apple will address this in upcoming updates.

Thanks!

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Jun 10, 2025 7:40 AM

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Posted on Aug 19, 2025 11:07 AM

update 1: Thank you to everyone who responded. I found the pattern and the problem. The problem is very simple and trivial. If you don't set live wallpaper, everything works as it should, but if you set live wallpaper, strange things start happening with the screen. So don't set live wallpapers and everything will work fine.

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Aug 19, 2025 11:07 AM in response to ArtemOnishchenko

update 1: Thank you to everyone who responded. I found the pattern and the problem. The problem is very simple and trivial. If you don't set live wallpaper, everything works as it should, but if you set live wallpaper, strange things start happening with the screen. So don't set live wallpapers and everything will work fine.

Jun 10, 2025 11:55 AM in response to ArtemOnishchenko

I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max on iOS 18.5 and have no issues with it. It's likely you have a hardware display damage, so first contact Apple Support as Lawrence Finch states to run diagnostics and to confirm what the issue is. Then you'll likely need service at your nearest Apple Store's Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider.


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Jun 22, 2025 9:25 AM in response to Isa_iphone

Thousands out of 500 million. What a disaster!


And where did the “thousands” come from? The 500 million is estimated from Apple’s financial statements.


This is a problem with your phone, and perhaps a few others. And the solution is to contact Apple Support if you can’t fix it with routine troubleshooting.


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple



Jul 18, 2025 7:48 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

It’s most likely a hardware problem cause when you mentioned you tried doing everything like the good old fashioned technique which is volume up button and volume down button and the power button keep on holding those buttons until you see the Apple logo when you see it quickly release your fingers if that did not work then it’s most likely a hardware problem because my dad had the same issue it’s a hardware problem but I highly recommend you go to Apple Store so you can it serviced or go to a Apple Authorized Provider they use Apple parts and Apple stuff etc etc but the screen is the problem go to Apple Store or Apple Authorized Provider they will fix it and put in a new screen and boom done easy and fixed! Hope this helps! 😉

Jul 19, 2025 8:26 AM in response to MsVhela

MsVhela wrote:

What did you do? I have iphone 15 pro, but I didn't upgrade my ios,it just went black screen after I unplugged it, it's been 2 weeks
  • Press and quickly release VOLUME UP


     then

  • Press and quickly release VOLUME DOWN


     then

  • Hold the SIDE button until an Apple logo appears (15-30 seconds), ignoring "slide to power off" if it appears


The operative word here is QUICKLY for the first two buttons, then a long hold for the SIDE button; and try it a couple of times, the timing is a little tricky. If done correctly this will always work unless the phone has a hardware problem. 

Aug 26, 2025 6:09 PM in response to Saakimba

It is VERY LIKELY a hardware issue.


Have you tried a forced restart→If your iPhone won't turn on or is frozen. If that doesn't fix it then it is definitely a hardware issue. Follow the instructions carefully, including brief presses first of VOLUME UP, then VOLUME DOWN, then hold the SIDE button for at least 30 seconds until the Apple logo appears, ignoring any messages that appear.

Saakimba wrote:

This happens to my phone too, it is not likely a hardware issue.

It is VERY LIKELY a hardware issue.


Have you tried a forced restart→If your iPhone won't turn on or is frozen. If that doesn't fix it then it is definitely a hardware issue. Follow the instructions carefully, including brief presses first of VOLUME UP, then VOLUME DOWN, then hold the SIDE button for at least 30 seconds until the Apple logo appears, ignoring any messages that appear.


Jun 22, 2025 1:02 AM in response to Isa_iphone

"I don’t know about millions of users,but thousands have that problem in 16 pro max,'And I don't know why Apple isn't fixing this issue. As an iPhone repair technician, I get calls and messages every day from people asking what to do with their phones.'"

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Troubleshooting a Black iPhone Screen:

I'd say the iPhone is stuck in a Boot Loop. This can typically occur when you update something, and it got stuck while in the process.  So, refer to my user tip: How to Fix an iPhone in a Boot Loop - User Tip

Jul 6, 2025 9:45 PM in response to Isa_iphone

"I know how to fix it,but the problem is that the buyers get that problem very often and dont want buy or use so expensive phone which every time very often get stuck.So now if i sell IPhone 16 pro max i say to buyer that he can get that issue and i cannot fix it if Apple cant do anything"

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Getting this Fixed:

You have no control in when a Boot Loop happens and why. Take your iPhone with glory, and use it best you can. Do you have AppleCare on this? If so, get this serviced. Use the Genus Bar links, as mention by others in this thread.

Jul 15, 2025 11:38 AM in response to ArtemOnishchenko

iPhone 16 pro max screen get black and unresponsive when incoming calls ring start on international roaming number if phone have dual sim , physical sim and eSIM ,

if call come to local eSIM than there is no issue but when call come to physical sim on international roaming mode than many times screen become black and unresponsive not all the times , I made video of it but am not able to attached here Vedio

iPhone 16 Pro Max Screen Goes Black After iOS 18.5 Update (Software Bug?)

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