1.What Is App Icon Image Retention (Burn-In)?
When scrolling through your phone becomes a daily habit, there might come a night when you forget to lock your screen or, for some reason, the screen displays a static image for an extended period. Eventually, you might notice that the icons of that particular application have been imprinted on your screen.
They manifest as semi-transparent “ghost images” that appear in fixed positions on your screen while using other functions on your phone. Depending on the severity of the issue, these “burn-ins” can significantly impact the visual quality of your phone’s screen.
2.Why Does App Icon Image Retention (Burn-In) Occur?
Burn-in is closely related to the type of screen your phone uses. Many modern smartphones use OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) screens, which are known for their vivid colors and high contrast. However, compared to older LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens, OLEDs are more prone to burn-in.
The reason lies in how OLED screens work. Each red, green, and blue pixel emits its own light, like a tiny light bulb. When bright, static images are displayed in the same position for too long, these “bulbs” can wear out unevenly. Different colored patterns cause different subpixels to age faster. When you switch the screen content, the damaged pixels might not fully recover, leaving behind a trace of the previous image. LCD screens, on the other hand, use a unified backlight and don’t rely on individual pixels for illumination, so burn-in is much less common. Simply put, OLED screens offer better image quality, but they require more mindful usage habits.
3.How to fix screen burn-In?
In most cases, screen burn-in tends to alleviate gradually with reduced screen usage time (LCD screens may recover faster than OLED screens). However, if the burn-in effect is severe, you can use the tools provided by our website to attempt repairs.
Depending on the extent of the burn-in, it is recommended to run the repair tool for at least half an hour or longer. Keep in mind that all screens have a finite lifespan, and if the issue persists, it might be time to consider replacing the screen.
Conclusions
Once burn-in occurs, there’s no guaranteed way to fix it completely. But by adjusting your usage habits, you can significantly reduce the risk. Keep screen brightness in check and avoid showing static content for long periods to extend your screen’s lifespan. That said, your eyes are more important than your screen. We all spend a lot of time looking at our phones—remember to take breaks and look into the distance. A clear screen is nice, but a balanced life matters more!