Experiencing “ghost touch” problems on your Apple Watch, where the device responds to finger taps that never happened? You are not alone. Although the bug was initially limited to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, it appears to affect some older models, too.
Apple informed its service providers not to replace Apple Watch models plagued by the ghost touch bug. Instead, it has provided a temporary solution while the company works on a permanent software fix.
‘Ghost touch’ also affects older Apple Watch models
Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 owners have been complaining about the ghost touch problem for the last few months. This annoying glitch causes problems while scrolling through lists, leading to erratic and incorrect touches. The company’s support forums are filled with complaints from frustrated Apple Watch users.
In an internal note sent to its service providers, Apple acknowledged the ghost touch problem affecting several older Apple Watch models. This includes the Series 7, 8 and the first-gen Apple Watch Ultra.
This has JUST been extended to series 7, series 8, as well as ultra 1 just FYI
Apple has advised us not to replace watches for this issue and to tell people to basically force restart the watch by holding both buttons together for 10 seconds and also keep your watches up-to-date https://t.co/klrVeYhkD0
— Stella – Fudge (@StellaFudge) April 10, 2024
Apple advised its authorized service providers not to replace affected Apple Watch models. Instead, the company recommends that users force-restart their watches by pressing and holding the Side button and crown for 10 seconds.
Force restart or update your Apple Watch to fix ghost touch
While the company rolled out multiple watchOS updates over the last few months, none fully addressed the problem. The recent watchOS 10.4 update mentioned ghost touch fixes, but the problem seems to persist for some.
It’s surprising that Apple has not yet fixed the ghost touch bug on its smartwatch despite the problem being present for months.
If you have been experiencing touch issues on your Apple Watch, you can try force-restarting it. This solution only works temporarily, but it’s a workaround you can use until Apple releases a permanent fix.
If you have not already done so, you also should update your wearable to watchOS 10.4. Also, avoid taking your Apple Watch to an authorized service provider, as they won’t replace your unit or provide a better solution.
