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

If it was a bug in iOS 18 you would see a million posts about it. As yours is the only one I have seen, it’s almost be definition a problem with your phone; it may be a hardware problem, so contact Apple support so they can evaluate it.

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

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

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! 😉

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. 

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."

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.

My phone is still out, but I wanted to add. My daughter has an iPhone 16. I found out she also had the same problem with her phone going dark, though she had already updated it. Her phone started working again on its own after 5 hours

I'm not sure where my first reply went, but here's another update. My daughter with an Iphone 16 had the same problem a couple days ago. Her's thankfully started working after a while.

I went into the Apple Store today. My phone was 4 days past the one year mark. They told me since they couldn't get my phone to start either, I would need to pay about 550 for a new main frame.

I mentioned that I take really good care of my phone and this is clearly a problem on apple's side. He said my only other option was to put apple one on a different device, then I might be able to add my phone. I don't have any other devices that are eligible for apple one.

Frustrating. I would have assumed that my expensive "top of the line" device would at least last a little longer than a year. Oh wait, it did-a year and 4 days

"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

I've been getting the black screen issue and its happened around 12-14 times since I purchased the phone back in June. The hard reset does fix it but it keeps happening and sometimes at really inconvenient times.

Yup same here I have the I phone 16 plus and it goes black won’t respond to touch or buttons

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

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