To fix the freezing and lagging issue on your iPhone, restart it and follow these steps: update iOS, optimize settings, check battery health, free up storage space, and improve WiFi and cellular network.
Hi, I’m Devansh. A week after I bought my iPhone 13, it started freezing and lagging. So, I tried out many solutions to make it function normally again.
In this article, I’ll share those solutions with you so that you can fix the freezing and lagging issue on your iPhone too. I’ll also answer some common questions.
If your iPhone is freezing and lagging, keep reading to learn about quick and effective solutions!
Contents
First Step to Fix iPhone Freezing and Lagging Issue
When your iPhone is freezing and lagging, a restart will refresh its memory. You can restart it using the power-off slider, but if the screen is black or frozen, follow these steps.
Step 1: Press and release the volume up button.
Step 2: Press and release the volume down button.
Step 3: Press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo on your iPhone screen.
Scroll down to the FAQ section if your iPhone gets stuck on the Apple logo during this process. Now, let’s look at five ways to make your iPhone faster.
Top 5 Fixes to Make Your iPhone Faster
When your iPhone is freezing and lagging, there’s rarely only one cause behind it. It may be a combination of a few different factors. So, let’s go into five solutions to speed up your iPhone!
Fix #1: Update iOS and Apps
Freezes and lags usually happen due to a software-related issue that stems from outdated and buggy apps. First, update iOS. Open Settings, go to General, and Software Update. If there is an update available, tap on Download and Install.
Next, perform an audit of the apps on your iPhone. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to view all pending updates. We’ll talk more about uninstalling apps later.
Fix #2: Optimize Settings
Adjusting a few settings can increase speed when your iPhone is freezing and lagging. Here are some options you can change in the Settings app.
- Disable Background App Refresh: Open General and Background App Refresh. Tap Background App Refresh at the top and select Off.
- Disable Automatic Downloads: Go to App Store in Settings. Under Automatic Downloads, toggle off Apps, Add Updates, and In-App Content.
- Disable ‘Learn from this App’ for Siri: Go to Siri & Search and toggle off Learn from this App for individual apps.
- Reduce lock screen and home screen widgets: To remove a widget, tap and hold it, select Remove Widget, and confirm the removal.
- Enable ‘Reduce Motion’: Go to Accessibility, Motion, and toggle on Reduce Motion.
Adjusting these settings might increase your iPhone’s speed, but they’re optional.
Fix #3: Check Battery Health
It’s natural for rechargeable batteries to diminish in capacity as they pass a certain threshold of charge cycles. However, if your iPhone battery has deteriorated significantly, it could cause your iPhone to freeze and lag.
To check your iPhone’s battery health, open Settings, go to Battery, and tap Battery Health & Charging. Consider a battery replacement if the Maximum Capacity is less than 80 percent.
Fix #4: Free Up Storage Space
If you have less than 1GB of free space on your iPhone, iOS might work to make room for more content. This process may cause freezing and lagging on your iPhone. To check storage, open Settings, go to General, and iPhone Storage.
You’ll find recommendations to free up storage space. Either tap Enable to run a recommendation or tap on its title for more details.
Further down the page is a list of all apps on your iPhone and how much space they occupy. You can tap on an app to offload or delete it. To read more about how iOS manages storage, see this Support page.
Fix #5: Improve WiFi and Cellular Network
If your wireless network is slow, apps and websites could take longer to function or display their content. Take measures to optimize cellular reception, like placing your iPhone near a window or moving it to an open space.
If you implemented the above fixes but your iPhone is still freezing and lagging, it may be due to a hardware-related issue. Your iPhone’s screen may be glitching and not responding to inputs. You can check out this article for solutions to iPhone screen glitching.
Moreover, do you recall dropping your iPhone or spilling some liquid on it? If yes, these accidents could’ve damaged internal hardware components. In this case, it’s best to contact Apple Support.
Once you open the page, click on iPhone, Device Performance, Device frozen or unresponsive, and Continue. You can talk to Apple Support and find an authorized service provider.
FAQs
Here are three common questions about the iPhone freezing and lagging issue.
Does Overheating Lead to iPhone Freezing and Lagging?
Yes. iOS regulates performance if your iPhone is not at its ideal temperature (32º to 95ºF or 0º to 35ºC). Check this article for steps to cool down your iPhone when it overheats.
Are Older iPhone Models More Likely to Freeze and Lag?
Yes. Apple has admitted to regulating performance using software updates on older iPhone models to prevent shutdowns. If you own an older iPhone model, like the iPhone 6, follow the tips above to make your iPhone faster.
What if Your iPhone Gets Stuck on Apple Logo During Start-Up?
You need to put your iPhone in Recovery Mode. To do that, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC. If it’s a Mac with macOS Ventura or newer, open the Finder; otherwise, open iTunes.
Once you select your iPhone on your computer, follow the steps in the first section (to restart your iPhone) until you see the Recovery Mode screen. Once done, you’ll get the option to either Update or Restore your iPhone on your computer. Click on Update.
Conclusion
Next time your iPhone is freezing or lagging, restart it, and follow these steps: update iOS, optimize settings, check battery health, free up storage space, and improve WiFi and cellular network.
iPhones are popular for their speed and stability. So, it can be frustrating when your iPhone starts freezing and lagging. Implementing the tips discussed in this article should fix the freezing and lagging issue. If there is hardware damage, contact Apple Support.
Do you have further questions about the iPhone freezing and lagging issue? Let me know in the comments!
