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iOS Update Addresses iPhone X Cold Weather Screen Freezes

Apple is reportedly aware of the problem and working on a fix. In the meantime, try locking and unlocking your screen as a workaround.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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UPDATE (11/17): Apple rolled out an iOS update to address a problem causing iPhone X screens to freeze when the device is exposed to cold weather.

Apple iOS 11.1.2 "fixes an issue where the iPhone X screen becomes temporarily unresponsive to touch after a rapid temperature drop," Apple's release notes read.

The update also "addresses an issue that could cause distortion in Live Photos and videos captured with iPhone X," Apple wrote.

The update arrived just a week after Apple released iOS 11.1.1 to fix the widespread glitch preventing users from being able to type the letter "i."

Original Story (11/10):
Has your iPhone X been acting up when you take it outside in the cold? You're not alone.

Reddit user darus214 on Thursday reported a strange problem affecting the screen of the iPhone X when the device was exposed to cold weather.

"I've noticed that my iPhone X screen becomes very unresponsive as soon as I step outside," the user wrote. "It literally takes 2 seconds from going inside to the cold outdoors and my screen stops being very responsive. I try swiping on websites and it doesn't register my finger. It's very noticeable."

Several users chimed in on that thread saying they, too, were experiencing the problem.

"While waiting for the bus I'm on now, I had to enter my passcode 4 times because it missed digits, and FaceID didn't recognize me," wrote JStheoriginal. "It's -20C/-4F here today."

Another user, ultraspoon, who said they have also been experiencing this, suggested a workaround that has been helpful. "Locking and then unlocking the screen fixes the issue," the user wrote. Others have confirmed that the workaround is effective, leading some to believe this is a software bug.

Apple did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment, but told The Loop that it's aware of it and working on a fix.

"We are aware of instances where the iPhone X screen will become temporarily unresponsive to touch after a rapid change to a cold environment," Apple said. "After several seconds the screen will become fully responsive again. This will be addressed in an upcoming software update."

The latest iPhone issue come after Apple just yesterday released an iOS update to fix the widespread glitch preventing users from being able to type the letter "i." Meanwhile, Google this week rolled out some of the fixes it promised late last month following reports detailing screen burn-in on the Pixel 2 XL.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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