Symptoms
- Faint shadow of icons, keyboard, or navigation bar visible on other screens
- Most visible on plain white or gray backgrounds
- Worst at the top and bottom edges of the screen
- Doesn't move when you scroll
Likely causes
- CommonStatic elements shown at high brightness for long periodsNavigation bars, status bars, and always-on clocks are common culprits on OLED screens.
- CommonExtended use of one app at max brightnessApps like maps or games left open for hours can leave a faint imprint.
- PossibleOld age of the displayOLED pixels dim unevenly over years of use, showing up as burn-in.
What to do
- Lower your screen brightness for daily use, since burn-in worsens faster at high brightness.
- Turn on any built-in pixel-shift or screen-saver feature your phone offers.
- Use dark mode where available to reduce how long white pixels stay lit.
- Avoid leaving one app open at full brightness for many hours at a time.
- Try a white-screen or color-cycling burn-in test video to see how severe it is.
- Understand that burn-in is not repairable by software; only a screen replacement removes it.
Tools and parts
Replacement OLED displaySearch: “OLED screen replacement for [your phone model]”
When to call a pro
See a repair shop only if the burn-in bothers you enough to want a screen replacement; it is cosmetic and not a safety issue.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.