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Does your iPad type or launch apps on its own? Learn how to fix it
By
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Writer
- University of Texas at Arlington
Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator.
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Updated on August 12, 2024
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Reviewed byJon Fisher
- Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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In This Article
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In This Article
- How to Fix Ghost Typing and False Touch
- Still Having Problems?
- Causes of Ghost Typing and False Touch
- Frequently Asked Questions
Perhaps the most bizarre problem you can encounter on an iPad is the device typing or launching apps randomly, without any input from you. This behavior is often referred to as "ghost typing" or "false touch." But don't worry. Your iPad is probably not possessed by a poltergeist, and in most cases, the problem is easily fixed with a few quick troubleshooting steps.
These fixes apply to all iPad models with iPadOS 13 or later.
How to Fix Ghost Typing and False Touch
The following solutions have been shown to resolve ghost touches on an iPad:
Restart the iPad. The first step in troubleshooting most technical problems is to restart the device. Restarting the device may be all you need to do to eliminate ghost typing.
Clean the iPad screen. The display screen is designed to ignore touches that the iPad determines aren't human, which is why your nails don't register. However, something on the display may be triggering the tablet's touch sensors. So, while the device is off, clean the screen carefully.
Use a damp microfiber or lint-free cloth to clean the display. Don't spray anything onto the iPad display.
Check for malware. When an iPad begins typing on its own or interacting with an app by itself, your first thought might be that someone has taken control of it. Such a takeover is rare, especially if you havent jailbroken your iPad. Apple checks all apps submitted to its App Store for malware, and although a virus can slip past Apple's vigilance, it's rare. Still, it's important to beware of iPad malware meant to trick you into giving up personal information.
Reset the iPad. If you restarted and cleaned the iPad and you still experience ghost touches, restore the iPad to factory default settings. It may take several minutes to complete the reset process. When it's finished, set up your iPad from the backup you created.
Resetting your iPad to factory defaults erases all the data and apps on the device. Before resetting, back up your iPad so that you can restore your data and apps.
Still Having Problems?
If you tried the tips in this article, but your iPad is still having trouble, it may have a faulty touch display or bad sensors. Go to Apple's support website or make an Apple genius bar appointment at the nearest Apple Store.
Causes of Ghost Typing and False Touch
There are a few reasons why your iPad can seem to develop a mind of its own. On rare occasions, the device may have been compromised by malware. However, the more common causes of this behavior are that the device's display is scratched or dirty, or the device is bogged down with browsing history, downloads, and the like and needs a fresh start. Here's how to get your iPad back in proper working order.
FAQ
Can a screen protector cause ghost typing on iPad?
It's possible but unlikely. If the screen protector interferes with the screen's ability to detect capacitive touch, it might, but any screen protector made for the iPad should work correctly.
Did iPadOS 13.4 cause the ghost touch problem on my iPad?
Several iPad users reported a ghost touch problem after they updated to iPadOS 13.4. The majority of them were able to solve the problem by performing a forced restart and reset of their device. If that doesn't help and you still have the false touches occur on subsequent iPadOS updates, there may be a hardware problem. Take the iPad to the closest Apple Store for a diagnosis.
How much does Apple charge to fix an iPad screen with a ghost touch?
Apple doesn't charge to replace a defective screen if your iPad is under warranty or you have AppleCare.
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