From the last few months, news has covered the touch disease renders Apple’s iPhone 6, 6S and 6 Plus non-functional. Analysis into the issue revealed that Apple removed the underfill from the controller chips that govern touchscreen functionality.
What is Touch Disease?
Underfill typically fills the gaps between solder balls that attach a chip to its motherboard and prevents the solder from cracking under normal wear and tear. Removing the underfill means that the solder itself is responsible for holding up under flexion and when the chips start failing as a result, touch screens stop working.
“Touch disease” is a fault that continued to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus touch controller from physical pressure. This can happen over time with normal use. Pocketing your iPhone will subject it to physical forces that loosen the device. “Touch disease” makes your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus completely unusable.
It’s not really Disease. “Disease” is just a name that has given for this case only.
Devices affected by iPhone Touch Disease:
According to Apple, the only device affected by iPhone Touch Disease is the iPhone 6 Plus., There are rumors that iPhone 6 also affected, but Apple hasn’t confirmed them.
Symptoms of iPhone Touch Disease:
There are two main symptoms of the disease:
- The iPhone’s touch screen is not working properly. It means that touch on the screen isn’t being recognized or that signs like pinching and zooming aren’t working.
- The iPhone’s screen has a flickering gray line across the top.
The reasons for iPhone touch disease:
According to Apple, the Disease is caused by repeatedly dropping the iPhone on solid surfaces and “then suffering further stress on the device”, also it’s due to the user not taking care of their device.
Apple has never legally announced the problem, but individual iPhone repair vendors and Apple Store technicians have said that it is easily one of the most common issues that people need to fix.
It’s possible that dropping the iPhone can loosen the soldering of the chips. Even if you haven’t dropped your device, there are some devices that just have manufacturing flaws.
How Do You Fix iPhone Touch Disease?
- In most cases, users don’t fix it by self unless they are master with a soldering iron and don’t mind taking a risk by opening your iPhone, you can do it, but we recommend against it. You could try to fix your cracked touchscreen, but that might not work.
- Apple is also offering to repair your phone. While you’ll have to pay for the repair, it costs a lot less than many other iPhone repairs cost. Visit Apple to fix iPhone 6 plus touch disease.
- You could use a third-party repair shop which has skilled and certified technicians to fix the iPhone touch disease.
Requirements for Apple’s Repair Program:
- Have an iPhone 6 Plus
- In working condition
- That shows the symptoms listed earlier in the blog
- That does not have a cracked screen.
- The program only applies to devices within five years after the initial sale. So, if you’re reading this in, say, 2020 and have a 6 plus that’s got these problems, you’re not covered. Otherwise, if you meet all of those criteria, you likely qualify.
What Are Your Next Steps?
If you think your phone has the Touch Disease, visit the iPhone repair store near you and set up an appointment to get your iPhone reviewed.
Before taking your iPhone in, be sure to thoroughly back up all the data on your device. That way, if you do have to get the phone repaired or replaced, there’s less chance of losing your important data. You’ll also be able to restore that backup onto your repaired phone.
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