iPhone 17 Pro screen unresponsive in cold temperatures

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Level 1

8 points

iPhone 17 Pro screen unresponsive in cold temperatures

Cold temperatures/ unresponsive screen

When the weather recently turned cold (UK here, not the Arctic) I was walking at the beach and stopped to take pictures with my new iPhone 17 Pro. Quite quickly the screen stopped responding to touch.

I have since worked out that the screen simply doesn’t like the cold, even the cold of the bedroom overnight.

I have removed the VPN and restored to factory settings, as instructed by support, to no avail. Next step is a trip to the Genius Bar.

There is at least one other (closed) report here, but I am relieved to find I am not alone.

My question is

Is this a repair or a replacement situation?

iPhone 17 Pro

Posted on Dec 10, 2025 10:43 AM

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Answer 1

williamwza Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2025 2:07 AM in response to williamwza

After I demonstrated the issue, Apple Genius Bar replaced the screen, and things are looking better. Meanwhile the weather has warmed up considerably. When normal winter service resumes I’ll be able to tell for certain that the new screen works as expected.

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Answer 2

williamwza Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 10, 2025 11:39 AM in response to KiltedTim

I have used iPhones (quite a few) in the same place and in the same conditions for over a decade. Those screens worked for me and my cold fingers. But then, I am aging.

The watch (warmer against my skin) responds happily to the same fingers.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,892 points

Dec 10, 2025 10:45 AM in response to williamwza

It's more likely that the cold is causing your fingers to dry to the point that they're not being detected by the screen.

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