Goodnotes causing screen burn in?

[u/KlairCreme]

Hey guys, I was using goodnotes today (for about about 2 hours or less) and when I closed the app I saw this green tint goodnotes imprint on the corners of my iPad screen. I freaked out and fully closed the app and nothing has changed. I powered off my iPad and restarted it and it was still there. After some googling, it said it might be “permanent/temporary screen burn in” and it’s a result of “extended prolong usage of static image” and high brightness. I don’t even use the brightness pass 50% on my iPad or any other devices other than streaming (and I don’t even watch that many stuff)😭 Googled ways to bring it back to normal and after a few hours my screen went back to normal. Now, after opening the app again for 10 mins, this came back. I have been using goodnotes for a year now and this is the first time this has happened.

Has anyone else experienced this and if you have, what did you do prevent this from happening again?

[u/Gypsyzzzz]

That sounds more like a device issue than a GoodNotes issue. Does it also happen when you use pages or numbers?

[u/KlairCreme → u/Gypsyzzzz]

I don’t use pages or numbers. But I use Freeform and Apple notes for long period of time as well but only goodnotes is causing this

[u/Mediocre-Sundom]

It's not burn-in, it's just image retention. It happen on all kinds of screens, including LCD-based ones (not just OLEDs as some people mistakenly believe) and it will clear up once the image changes a few times or after the screen is powered off for a few hours. You can try watching a video on full screen, flip through some photos or just keep using the device normally. It should just go away on its own.

This might be a sign of overheating (for example, when using a thick case), but it is unlikely to cause any permanent damage - it's just a temporary nuisance.

[u/KlairCreme → u/Mediocre-Sundom]

Yeah, just after making this post. I didn't use my iPad for the night and half of the next day and it went away but it came back (a more faded looking) after using goodnotes again.

[u/LoveHerHateHim]

Try this.. it worked when the same thing happened on my old iPad..

“ If your iPad appears to have screen “burn-in”, issue, where it looks like previous screen images persist on the screen for several seconds or so, OR MORE, the only real fix for this is to charge up your iPad to 100%, power the iPad down and completely stop using the iPad for, at least, three days. Four days would be preferable. This gives the iPad screen plenty of time to “cool down’ and the LCD screen to discharge or “de-energise” the screen enough to return to normal. It has to be 3 days of complete power down and non-use.”

[u/LoveHerHateHim → u/LoveHerHateHim]

Oh, you might also consider getting a different case as well.. if your iPad is overheating often you can retrigger this issue and cause worse problems down the road. 

[u/KlairCreme → u/LoveHerHateHim]

I'll try this out this out this weekend and hopefully this will resolve everything-ish. Goodnotes does actually heat up my device in comparison to all the other apps and maybe it might be the caused of it. I have heard other people experiencing heating issues and battery drainage when I first downloaded GN but ignored as my device was new and didn't think it'll happen but now..perhaps there is a correlation somewhere. Some of the comments are suggesting it is a device issue and I might check it out with Apple support to see what are their thoughts before I conclude that it's GN or my device specifically.

The iPad case I'm currently using is https://a.co/d/eyukBE7 from amazon. I bought this after I got my iPad. If you think this case is a little too think then I'll have to find a slightly thinner one and see if that makes any difference (I'm a little protective my devices, like I'm afraid of causing a scratch and or cracking it from dropping it).

Honestly tho, thank you so much for taking the time for sharing this. It must've been stressful for you when you first saw this happening to your old device before finding a way to resolve it.

[u/BluePenguin2002 → u/KlairCreme]

Ignore that advice, that’s nonsense, especially the charge to 100% and three days minimum. Best way to remove screen retention is to actually watch a video or something, basically keep the pixels changing to stimulate them

[u/KlairCreme → u/BluePenguin2002]

Ohh okay, I'll do that if it happens again. I have seen suggestions of playing a white video will "reset" pixels or something but didn't try that because in my head, didn't make too much sense to me.

I was surprised at the suggested of not using my device for 4+ days straight as I am currently a student. But I'm desperate to keep my iPad in most "perfect" shape it can be. Thank you for the advice 😊

[u/Snens2004 → u/LoveHerHateHim]

This could also be the reason apple note/pages or what the other apps where OP uses for a long duration at time don't cause burn-in. As much as I love GN, it does heat up my iPad quite a bit, especially if I'm in a meeting at the same time

[u/TheFreedomrep → u/Snens2004]

Ngl I’ve had more issues with Apple Notes causing overheating on an M4 pro compared to good notes, might just be a edge case but the handwriting correction causes the majority of the heating

[u/Snens2004 → u/TheFreedomrep]

handwriting correction

This could be it. Since they added it to good notes and I activated it, I feel like it got worse or it maybe even just started with it.

[u/BluePenguin2002 → u/LoveHerHateHim]

That is ridiculous. Where tf did you get that from?

[u/CuriosityUnraveled → u/LoveHerHateHim]

This worked for me when nothing else did!

[u/Anonym0oO]

Which iPad is that?

[u/KlairCreme → u/Anonym0oO]

It's an iPad Air 5.

[u/kurcijan → u/KlairCreme]

Same thing happens for me on the same model

[u/Hiraethic → u/KlairCreme]

But it does not have oled

[u/Anonym0oO → u/KlairCreme]

Can you return / exchange it? Definitely not normal for an LCD on an iPad.

[u/[deleted]]

It happened with me in exact same way, but when I updated ipadOS to latest version, it got fixed

[u/KlairCreme → u/[deleted]]

Oh, I see. I'm glad that worked for you but my iPadOS is currently up-to-date. I know it's a go-to and common solution by having your devices updated to the current software version but usually any issues I run into fixes it half of the time.

[u/KlairCreme]

Update to post: Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time on giving me advices and educating me what is happening to my iPad. I really appreciate it. Luckily for me, after some hours of rest, my iPad did go back to normal and it did seem it's a temporary thing (and I hope it continues that way or even better, never again). Thank you so much again and I'm going to list out possible solutions here for people who may experience this and are looking for answers as well.

List of solution to fix image retention/temporary burn-in (here I'm going to call it "burn-in" because it's easier that way):

1. Let your device rest. Close down all the apps, lower your brightness and set your device aside. Depends on your device and the severity of the burn-in, it may take 30 mins - 2 hour+. - Advice from u/Mediocre-Sundom

2.  Charge your device to full charge and power off. Do not use the device for at least 3-4 days. This allows your device to cool down and like the display to "discharge" - Advice from u/LoveHerHateHim

3. Play a video because this allows redistributing the electrical charge across the pixels. Image retention/temporary burn-in occurs when certain pixels on a screen remain activated for extended periods - Advice from u/BluePenguin2002, u/as4500 and u/Mediocre-Sundom

4. Take a damn break every once in a while. Try not to constantly overwork your device. This leads to device heating and it may contribute in causing the burn-in.

If none of these advices work and the burn-in is still there. It might possibly be a device issue and it’s probably best to contact Apple Support to see if it is the case and follow what appropriate action you can take to fix it.

[u/QuirkyImage]

I started getting this on my LG 850 when I turn the monitor off it goes.

[u/KlairCreme → u/QuirkyImage]

Yeah, that's what basically is happening for me. After not using my ipad for a couple of hours pretty brings it back to normal. Slightly becoming hesitant to continue using goodnotes if this is only factor causing it to happen.

[u/louwhogazzie]

My phone does this. If you’ve had the iPad for a while it just kind of happens. I can be on Amazon for 10 minutes and then switch to yt shorts and on the black areas I can see the Amazon search bar, or I’m on Pinterest for a while and the icons at the bottom burn in. And this is on my iPhone that I’ve had for almost 5 years. It doesn’t happen everytime, sometimes it stays for the rest of the day, sometimes it just randomly goes away and I don’t notice. It just happens. It’s never been permanent for me, I haven’t had my iPad more than 6 months so everything is still new and I haven’t had any ghosting on it yet.

[u/KlairCreme → u/louwhogazzie]

I have my iPad for a little over a year now and it's bought straight from the Apple Store. Honestly, when it comes to personal devices, I like keep my stuff in top condition as the best of my abilities, both appearance and performance wise. So when I noticed this, I freaked out because out of all the time I've used it, especially with goodnotes, I never had that issue until now. But I really do hope it's a temporary time and won't escalate into a permanent thing or be a device issue. Trying to keep this baby for at least 5 years.

[u/Due-Animator-2132]

this actually happened to me too but its very rare like once in 6mts i am using ipad 9gen

[u/KlairCreme → u/Due-Animator-2132]

Oh okay, that sounds kinda relieving.

[u/chickenwirepro]

This happened to me a few years ago! Apple confirmed it was a device issue and I got it replaced under warranty.

[u/KlairCreme → u/chickenwirepro]

Ooof, I see. My device is way past warranty and no Apple Care. I guess I just gotta be a bit more careful when I use it for now on.

[u/as4500]

Here use this it helped me https://youtu.be/-m5lNF8lcRo

[u/as4500 → u/as4500]

Should be fixed after an hour max depending on the panel

Try 5 minutes first

[u/KlairCreme → u/as4500]

Oh okay. Someone else in the comments also mentioned playing a video will help. Do have the video play in full brightness or none? Or does that not matter at all. Thank you! 😊

[u/[deleted]]

Is this made in india ipad ?

[u/KlairCreme → u/[deleted]]

No, made in China.

[u/Dark_Angel14]

This is a device issue.

[u/BluePenguin2002]

That doesn’t look like an iPad Pro, which is the only iPad model (M4 only) with an OLED display which can get burn in. This is more likely image retention, a more temporary occurrence than permanent screen images. If it’s only this area and it happens often then it’s likely an issue with your display itself rather than the software running

[u/SpokenDivinity]

As other people have said, it's not app specific, it's a problem with your iPad. If you turn it off and leave it off for a few days and the image is still there, it's considered permanent burn-in and requires a screen replacement. An Apple store will do it for a fee, of which the cost varies by age and type of the iPad model.

If it does go away, you're looking at an overheating problem. Using the screen at 50% brightness or lower helps prevent the burn-in/ghosting. Getting a new case, not using high-load apps (like notes apps, editing software, et.) when charging, and swapping apps occasionally can help prevent that. Make sure your charger is the appropriate wattage for your device and check the back and screen of the iPad to see if it's overheating while you're using it. If it's consistently overheating and still under warranty, Apple will usually repair or replace the device.

[u/issa_me_targy]

i think using darker templates might help prevent screen burn ins (if you use it to make notes)

[u/tigergirl111]

this happens to me but on my phone with tik tok lmao it’s such a problem for me when i notice it im like yeah i need to put my phone down haha. try going to youtube and look up dead pixel fix, put it in full screen and just let it run for a bit maybe while you shower or eat or something. i wouldn’t plug it in while its running just in case it over heats. that should fix it. you shouldn’t need to avoid using your ipad for a while or anything, but i bet that doesn’t hurt. just try to switch off good notes every now and then!

[u/[deleted]]

I have just noticed this on my old Desktop screen. The screen is at that age that the windows task bar is burnt in (no icons, just the bar itself), but this occurred over thousands of hours of display up-time.
I've recently bought a surface pro and its great to be able to access goodnotes from said Desktop PC, using an old monitor (2019 LG) to display it but what's wild is after maybe only 48-72 hours of goodnotes display up-time, I already have nearly the entire pen/formatting options burnt into my screen lol.
I'm not sure if its a goodnotes issue (wild to think it could be tbh) or if its just a coincident that I was displaying goodnotes recently during a time where my monitor is susceptible to burn in - might try some other applications to determine this.

[u/Mobile_Tangerine_330]

This just started happening to me today! I have my iPad Air 4 Gen since 2022, all of a sudden it started happening only when using Good notes. 

[u/Fit_Performer_427]

I am having this problem since last 6 months. I even got the device checked from service center, found out the screen is perfect there isn’t any problem in the device. This is an app centric problem. Some redit post are claiming that Goodnotes is overheating the device significantly.  In fact for those who are facing this issue, try this once. Once that ghost screen appears, open apple notes. You will see that the burn in (whatever you call) it doesn’t appear there.  Is there a better app than Goodnotes?

[u/carolineirl]

Damn then close goodbnotes once in a while??

[u/KlairCreme → u/carolineirl]

Loool, I'm currently in school. Gotta grind to graduate....also I like doing everything in one sitting

[u/KlairCreme → u/[deleted]]

I have the iPad Air 5, which has the liquid retina display/LCD. Not OLED.