You’re scrolling through a clean white webpage or maybe sketching in Procreate when you see it. A small, glowing, annoyingly bright patch. It looks like a tiny flashlight is hiding behind your pixels. If you’ve discovered a white spot on iPad Pro screen surfaces, you aren’t alone, and honestly, it’s probably not your fault.
Most people assume they poked the screen too hard or dropped it. While that can happen, the reality for the iPad Pro is often much more "hardware-glitchy" than "user-clumsy."
Why is there a bright spot on my screen?
The most notorious culprit for the white spot on iPad Pro screen is a phenomenon called backlight diffuser delamination. Basically, the iPad Pro’s display is a sandwich of layers. There’s the glass, the touch layer, the LCD (or Mini-LED), and the backlight.
On older Pro models, specifically the 10.5-inch and the older 12.9-inch versions, internal components—usually near the logic board—get hot. Over time, that heat or slight internal pressure causes the layers to literally unstick or "delaminate." When they separate, the light from the LEDs doesn't spread out evenly. It pools. That pool of light is the bright white "blob" you’re seeing.
It usually shows up about two inches above the Home button (on older models) or toward the center-left on newer ones. Why? Because that’s where the high-traffic connectors and heat-generating chips live.
Is it a "stuck" pixel?
Probably not.
A stuck pixel is a microscopic dot. If your spot is the size of a grain of rice or a pea, it's a backlight issue. You can test this easily. Take a screenshot. Open that screenshot on your phone or another computer. Is the spot there?
- No? It’s a hardware defect in the physical screen.
- Yes? It’s a software bug (rare, but it happens).
The Pressure Point Problem
We have to talk about how thin these tablets are. Apple loves a thin device, but that means there’s almost zero "wiggle room" between the back casing and the screen.
If you carry your iPad in a stuffed backpack without a hard shell case, the pressure of your books or laptop can push the internal components against the back of the LCD. This creates a permanent pressure mark. Think of it like a bruise on the screen’s "skin." Once those internal layers are crushed together, they often stay that way.
Can you actually fix it?
Honestly? No. Not with software, anyway.
You’ll see "pixel fixer" videos on YouTube that flash bright colors. Those are great for stuck pixels, but they do absolutely nothing for backlight delamination or pressure damage. It’s like trying to fix a cracked windshield by changing the radio station.
The "Massage" Method
Some people on Reddit swear by "massaging" the spot with a microfiber cloth. The idea is to use gentle circular pressure to try and re-seat the display layers.
Don't do this. You’re more likely to create more pressure marks or even crack the LCD underneath the glass. If the layers have delaminated, they need professional adhesive and factory-grade sealing to stay flat.
Warranty and AppleCare+
If you're under the standard one-year warranty and there’s no visible crack or dent on the frame, Apple often replaces these for free. They know the 10.5-inch and certain M1/M2 models have this tendency. If you have AppleCare+, it’s usually a flat $49 (or equivalent local currency) for a replacement.
If you’re out of warranty? Prepare for a sting. Apple doesn't "repair" iPad screens; they swap the whole unit. Out-of-warranty "repairs" for an iPad Pro can range from $449 to over $700 depending on the size and generation.
What about the new OLED iPad Pro?
If you have the 2024 M4 iPad Pro with the Tandem OLED screen, "white spots" are a different beast. OLEDs don't have a traditional backlight; each pixel makes its own light. If you see a bright spot here, it’s likely a cluster of failing pixels or a defect in the organic material. Since these models are so new, any white spot is almost certainly a manufacturing defect covered under the standard warranty.
Living with the spot
If the spot is small and you don't want to drop $500 on a replacement, there are ways to hide it.
- Dark Mode is your best friend. The spot is only visible when the backlight is working hard to show white or light gray. In Dark Mode, the spot often disappears entirely.
- Lower the brightness. High brightness makes the light "leak" more obvious.
- Matte screen protectors. A "paper-like" or matte protector scatters light. It won't remove the spot, but it can blur the edges of the glow so it's less of a sharp eyesore.
Steps to take right now
First, check your coverage. Go to Settings > General > About and look for "Coverage." Even if it says expired, if you live in a region with strong consumer law (like the EU or Australia), you might still get a free repair for a known manufacturing defect.
Next, do the screenshot test. If the spot doesn't show up in the photo, it's hardware.
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Finally, stop applying pressure. If the spot is caused by a battery starting to swell—which is rare but dangerous—pressing on it could lead to a much bigger problem than just a white dot. If you notice the screen "lifting" or the spot growing rapidly, get it to a technician immediately.
The reality is that these spots are the "price" we pay for incredibly thin, bright displays. Most of the time, it's a minor cosmetic annoyance. But if you're doing professional color-grading or photo work, that "little flashlight" is a sign that it's time to visit the Genius Bar.
Next Steps
- Verify your warranty status on the Apple Support website using your serial number.
- Back up your iPad to iCloud immediately in case the "spot" is a symptom of a failing battery that requires a full device swap.
- Switch to Dark Mode in Settings > Display & Brightness to prolong the usable life of the screen without the spot being a constant distraction.