30/06/2025
Nicole Newton

What is screen burn or display burn

If you’ve ever noticed a faint image lingering on your phone screen, like a keyboard outline or a status bar that won’t disappear, you might be dealing with screen burn, also known as display burn.

In this guide, we’ll break down what screen burn is, how it happens, and what you can do to get rid of screen burn or at least minimise its impact—whether you’re dealing with a burned iPhone screen, Samsung burned screen, or any other screen burn on phone.

In this blog:

So, what is screen burn?

Screen burn (or display burn) is a type of permanent discolouration that can affect smartphone, tablet and TV screens – especially OLED and AMOLED displays. It happens when static images like app icons, navigation bars or logos stay on screen for long periods. Over time, the pixels that display those images can degrade faster than the others, leaving a faint shadow behind.

You’ll usually spot it as ghost images, faded outlines or uneven colouring on your screen. It doesn’t affect the function of your phone, but it can be frustrating, especially if your screen was otherwise perfect.

What causes screen burn?

Some common culprits include:

  • Leaving your phone screen on for too long without changing the image
  • Static interface elements, like keyboards or navigation buttons
  • Using your device at high brightness for extended periods
  • Gaming or video apps with static elements (like health bars or channel logos)

OLED and AMOLED screens, which are common in modern Android devices and newer iPhones, are more susceptible due to the way each pixel emits its own light.

How to get rid of screen burn

If you’ve spotted screen burn on your phone, don’t panic. While deep screen burn is usually permanent, there are a few things you can try to reduce its visibility or stop it from getting worse.

Here’s how to get rid of screen burn, or at least improve it:

1. Try a screen burn-in fixer app

For Android phones, there are apps on the Play Store designed to refresh or “exercise” your pixels. These apps flash different colours and patterns rapidly to help even out pixel wear. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth a go if you’re wondering how to fix screen burn on Android phone.

2. Use a white screen for a while

Leaving a white image on full brightness for a few minutes (or longer) may help balance out uneven pixel usage. Just don’t overdo it – excessive brightness can cause further wear.

3. Lower your screen brightness

This won’t reverse the damage, but it’ll reduce strain on your screen and slow any further burn-in.

4. Turn on dark mode

Dark mode reduces static white elements that can cause screen burn in the first place. Most major apps and operating systems support it now.

5. Enable auto-hide or screen timeout

Make sure your screen turns off quickly when idle, and set navigation bars or status bars to auto-hide where possible.

Burned iPhone screen or Samsung burned screen? Here’s what to know

If you’re dealing with a burned iPhone screen, it’s a bit trickier. Apple devices use OLED screens in newer models, and while screen burn is less common thanks to built-in protections, it can still happen. Unfortunately, there are no official iOS apps to reverse screen burn—but the tips above (like using dark mode and lowering brightness) can help prevent it from worsening.

For Samsung burned screens, especially on Galaxy models with AMOLED displays, the issue is more common. Samsung phones often have built-in protections like screen savers or pixel shifting – be sure these are turned on in your settings.

Can screen burn be fixed completely?

In some cases – especially if caught early – screen burn can be improved using software tricks. But if the image is deeply burned into the display, the only true fix is a screen replacement.

That’s why prevention is key. If you often use apps with static images or leave your screen on for long periods, try enabling features like Always-On Display responsibly, or switch things up now and then to avoid long exposure.

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