The status bar at the top of your iPhone has disappeared and you don’t know where it went! Now you can’t see how much service you have, what time it is, or how much battery life is remaining on your iPhone. In this article, I’ll explain why the iPhone status bar is missing and show you how to solve this problem for good!
The inspiration for this article comes from a question asked by Jamaica K.L., a member of our Facebook group where more than 11,000 people get help with their iPhones. If you’re not already a member, I encourage you to join!
Why Is My iPhone Status Bar Missing?
Your iPhone status bar is missing because a minor software glitch caused it to disappear. The steps below will walk you through a few software troubleshooting steps that will help you fix the problem.
How To Fix A Missing iPhone Status Bar
99% of the time, restarting your iPhone will fix this problem. On an iPhone 8 or earlier, press and hold the power button until the words “slide to power off” appear on the display. Then, swipe the power icon from left to right to turn off your iPhone. Wait about 15 seconds, then press and hold the power button again and let go of it when the Apple logo appears.
If you have an iPhone X or newer, press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power slider and “slide to power off” appear on the display. Swipe that power icon from left to right across the screen to turn off your iPhone. Wait about 15 seconds, then press and hold the side button to turn your iPhone X back on.
My iPhone Status Bar Keeps Disappearing!
Sometimes your status bar will keep disappearing over and over again, which could be an indicator of a deeper software problem. Rather than having to restart your iPhone every time it disappears, follow the two steps below to eliminate this problem for good!
Check For A Software Update
It’s possible that your iPhone status bar keeps disappearing because of an issue with the version of iOS running on your iPhone. Software glitches like this are typically fixed in subsequent software updates, so I recommend looking for an iOS update by going to Settings -> General -> Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download & Install. If you have any issues along the way, check out our article on what to do when your iPhone won’t update.
Perform A DFU Restore
Let me be clear — you almost certainly don’t have to perform this step. However, if your iPhone status bar keeps disappearing and you’re experiencing lots of other software issues at the same time, you may want to perform a DFU restore.
This type of restore erases and reloads all of the code on your iPhone, giving it a completely fresh start and fixing those troublesome software bugs. Check out our article on how to perform a DFU restore on your iPhone!
Status Bar: Found!
You’ve fixed the problem with your iPhone’s status bar and it’s appearing at the top of the display again! Next time your iPhone status bar is missing, you’ll know how to solve the problem. Feel free to leave me any other iPhone-related questions in the comments section below, and don’t forget to check out our Cell Phone Support Forum!
Is this where I can subscribe.
my iphone doesnt have a update avaliable
My iPhone is black and wont come on but it does ring if someone is calling
Sounds like the software crashed. Check out our other article on what to do when your iPhone screen is black.
Just upgraded overnight. Problems now: no search bar up top. Ex: If I’m on FB I can’t get off. Even when I click ‘x’ it just goes back & forth to FB
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for reading, Phil!
the Bar disappears even though I have my phone up to date
My iPhone 5 cannot make or receive calls. It shows no bars available and that’s even though I have cellular service and WiFi where I’m staying. I can receive texts, breaking news, emails and everything else. What’s the problem? I have shut it down and stated up again but that hasn’t helped.
That was very helpful.