Some users of the newest iPad Pro models report that glass screen protectors limit the sensitivity of the touchscreen. These add-ones can also cause problems with Face ID.
The maker of a popular line of glass screen protectors say it has received only a very limited number of complaints, but it’s nevertheless working to address this issue.
Screen protectors and iPad Pro touch sensitivity
Many of the posts from users complaining that glass screen protectors cause difficulties with the latest iOS tablet’s touchscreen are made on Apple’s own support forums. One example comes from a user calling himself MrGadgetMan: “After applying a Face ID friendly glass screen protector, (I’ve tried about 5 different brands) in certain lighting conditions the touch screen does not respond.”
One of responses to that post came from a user with the handle Chronic Town saying “Not only am I having a similar problem, but the Apple Pencil 2 works very, very poorly with a tempered glass screen protector.“
A brief YouTube video claims to demonstrate the problem:
These are just a small sampling of many complaints posted on various web sites.
These issues do not seem to be limited to the screen protectors made by any one company. And there are no similar problems with protectors made of thin-film plastic.
The source is a mystery
Glass screen protectors are hardly a new product, and there’s no definitive explanation about why these products might be having difficulties with just the 2018 iPad Pro.
An unusual twist is that some people report that the problem doesn’t occur while also touching the actual case of the tablet. Chronic Town said, “Similar problem with Zagg glass+ I just received. No response if the iPad Pro 11″ is lying on a surface or in a tablet stand. But, if I touch the metal frame with the tip of one finger it is back to normal. Same problem in an OtterBox Symmetry 360 case.”
Response from Zagg
We’ve reached out to Zagg, maker of the popular InvisibleShield line of screen protectors, for their insight. “We are aware of limited reporting of issues. We haven’t seen a significant volume of complaints, and these issues seem to have arisen in the last 2-3 weeks,” said Jeff DuBois, Zagg’s public relations director. “To be fair, every product receives some limited feedback about perceived interference with device functionality. But the volumes, like here, are usually extremely low — we’re talking dozens out of millions of units sold for the current product line, which would be comparable to historical feedback.”
Nevertheless, Zagg is addressing this issue. DuBois says:
“We are taking a two-pronged approach.
“First, we are happy to replace the existing product for those who perceive issues, or move them to a different product altogether. All it requires is a phone call to customer care.
“Second, despite the limited to numbers of complaints, our product team takes this seriously and is exploring potential causes and how InvisibleShield can mitigate or eliminate these issues. We are actively testing thinner glass, a potential factor, to see if that helps.“
DuBois‘s advice for people experiencing this problem applies equally well to glass screen protectors from any company: return or exchange the product if it doesn’t perform correctly with your iPad Pro. This sensitivity problem doesn’t appear to be something that crops up later; it exists almost as soon as the protector is applied.
Face ID issues with glass screen protectors
There have also been complaints about glass screen protectors hindering Face ID. A user calling herself debbygun posted on the Apple Support Forums, “I got my new iPad Pro 11” about a month ago. It is great! I put on a new Zagg glass hd screen protector today to keep the screen from getting scratched and the face ID won’t work any more!”
This issue is fixable. “The handful of complaints about Face ID sensitivity have been resolved by rescanning the face after installing the screen protector,” said DuBois.
Via: Letem světem Apple
