Is Your iPhone Lagging? Here are 7 Simple Tips To Fix It
Lag on an iPhone is not something you would expect. After all, Apple devices are known for their incredible quality and top-notch performance, right? Well, that is not the case, unfortunately.
Even the most polished and high-end devices can slow down over time, whether you are using an iPhone or a Samsung device. And, there are many reasons why it could happen. Maybe your phone is not being able to perform due to any software issue, or it could be something as simple as storage being full. The thing is that you can fix your iPhone in most cases if no serious damage is caused to your device.
Neither do you have to visit an Apple store nor do you need any technical knowledge. You can fix your iPhone lag by just making a few small changes to your device.
INDEX
7 Simple Tips to Fix Your Lagging iPhone
1. Restart Your iPhone the Right Way
2. Check iPhone Storage
3. Turn Off Background App Refresh
4. Reduce Visual Effects and Animations
5. Update iOS and Your Apps
6. Use the Hidden Trick to Clear RAM
7. Reset All Settings (Without Losing Your Data)
Wrapping Up
Frequently Asked Questions About iPhone Issues
1. Is the iPhone 16 having issues?
2. Why is my iPhone hot?
3. Can I scan my iPhone for malware?
7 Simple Tips to Fix Your Lagging iPhone
1. Restart Your iPhone the Right Way
You do not always require an elaborate fix if your iPhone is lagging. Sometimes, the solution is so simple that you might not think about it — a restart can do wonders.
A lot of things can cause your iPhone to lag, like the background apps piling up, system processes getting bogged down, or software glitching. This is especially true if you leave your phone on for weeks without a reboot. However, these issues can be easily fixed if you just restart your iPhone.
Restarting flushes out temporary files and stops stuck processes. This gives your phone a clean slate to perform more efficiently. While we understand that it might not always fix the problem, it is something you can try as a first step.
To do it properly, press and hold the power and volume down buttons until the "slide to power off" screen appears. Shut it down, wait about 10 seconds, and power it back on. If it solves your issue, make sure to reboot your phone at least once a week to avoid lag.
2. Check iPhone Storage
If you have been using your iPhone for some time now, chances are that it is full of apps, photos, and videos. Check the available storage to confirm that sufficient space is available for the smooth functioning of the device.
Whether you are using an Android or an iPhone, the device will start lagging if it runs low on storage. This is because the OS and apps require free space to operate smoothly. When it does not get the required free space, it becomes slow.
To check your iPhone’s storage, open Settings > General > iPhone Storage and give it a moment to load. Make sure that your device has at least 2 to 3 GB of free space. Otherwise, performance issues are very likely.
To free up storage, you can:
- Remove large and unused apps. Check for unused games or apps that have not been opened in months.
- Delete media as much as possible. You can consider transferring them to iCloud, Google Photos, or a computer before deleting them.
- iOS might suggest "Recommendations" like clearing old message attachments. These tips can free up several gigabytes in one go.
Also Read: Understanding iOS 18: Exciting Features You Should Know Before Updating
3. Turn Off Background App Refresh
You might be stunned to see the total number of apps running in the background. Running these apps is often necessary to ensure your device works smoothly. They constantly fetch new content, update feeds, track location, and perform a lot of other functions, even when you are not using them. While they are designed to make your overall experience more convenient, they might also become a big reason why your phone feels sluggish.
An easy way to tackle this issue is to prevent these apps from constantly working and using up resources. You can do this by turning off Background App Refresh. It will stop all unnecessary background activities immediately.
The process is simple — open Settings > General > Background App Refresh and switch it off completely or limit it to Wi-Fi only. You can also manually turn off certain apps individually. For instance, your food delivery apps do not need to be updated constantly. So, you can turn it off and save resources for the more important tasks.
4. Reduce Visual Effects and Animations
To make the interface more interactive and engaging, many visual effects and animations are set. While they certainly have their appeal, you must remember that they also eat up resources. As a result, your iPhone can get slow.
If you simply stop these visual effects and animations, your system can function much faster. Thankfully, you can turn them off manually. Just go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion. From there, you can turn on Reduce Motion to stop the fancy zoom transitions. While you are at it, you can also enable Prefer Cross-Fade Transitions for smoother switching between screens.
Additionally, you can reduce visual strain and boost speed by turning off Transparency. Visit Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size to turn off Transparency.
This might compromise the appeal of your iPhone, but your device will certainly feel faster and more responsive.
5. Update iOS and Your Apps
Did you start facing issues after a new update? Sometimes, the lag you are dealing with is due to a bug. Apple generally fixes such issues in no time and releases a newer update. So, if your phone was recently updated, you should look for newer updates. Once you update the OS, the issue should get resolved.
To check for iOS updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install anything pending.
The same goes for apps. Developers push out updates all the time to fix performance issues, memory leaks, and battery drain problems that can all lead to lag. Open the App Store to check for new updates. However, you do not have to update everything. Just update the apps that lag or freeze frequently.
Also, make sure your phone is charged or plugged in before starting. Keeping it connected to Wi-Fi for the updates is a good idea as well.
Also read: The Importance of Regular Software Updates for Your Phone
6. Use the Hidden Trick to Clear RAM
You can also “clear RAM” on iPhones to reduce lag. Try this:
- Enable AssistiveTouch: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch, and turn it on.
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button to confirm it is working.
- Now press Volume Up > Volume Down > hold Power until the power-off slider appears.
- Tap the AssistiveTouch menu, then press and hold the Home button.
Your screen may flash or return to the home screen — that is a sign your RAM was cleared. We know this may sound a little technical, but it is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. Do this whenever you feel that your iPhone is slowing down after long usage sessions.
7. Reset All Settings (Without Losing Your Data)
When someone talks about resetting your iPhone, the first thing that comes to mind is Factory Reset. However, that is not the only way to reset your phone. You can also reset all settings without erasing your photos, messages, or apps.
This will just wipe out things like saved Wi-Fi passwords, home screen layout, system settings that might have gotten misconfigured, etc. By deleting this data, you can reduce the chances of lag as well.
To reset all settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode to confirm.
After the reset, your iPhone will reboot and start fresh. You just have to reconnect to Wi-Fi and reapply any custom settings you had.
Wrapping Up
Our expert tips can help fix your iPhone lag and ensure you can use it conveniently. However, these tips may fail if you are using a very old or outdated device. In such cases, the only option you will have is to sell your old iPhone online and buy a new one.
Mobilegoo provides a safe and secure platform to sell old and used iPhones online. The process is very simple, and you just need a minute to confirm the sale. First, select the iPhone model and then answer a few basic questions about the condition of the phone. Once you share all the details, we will provide the price. (Answer the questions correctly to avoid complications while handing over the device.) If you confirm, we will pick up the device from your doorstep and provide instant cash payment.
In case you do not have the budget to buy a new iPhone, you can always buy refurbished iPhones. Mobilegoo also sells top-quality refurbished iPhones at the lowest prices. They are in excellent condition, and you can find the latest models as well. Additionally, you get up to a 1 year warranty on all our devices.
Also Read: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: What You Need to Know Before Upgrade
Frequently Asked Questions About iPhone Issues
1. Is the iPhone 16 having issues?
It depends on what you mean by “issues.” Like any new iPhone release, the iPhone 16 series faced some early software quirks or battery optimisation problems. Apple usually releases a few quick iOS updates to smooth things out.
- One of the most common bugs in the iPhone 16 Pro was screen freezing. It was reported by Tom’s Guide. If you touch the areas near the new Camera Control button, the screen tends to freeze. However, it was taken care of in the next iOS 18.0.1 update.
- Another problem people face is the new sliding Camera Control button in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. While it is not a bug, people often accidentally zoom in and out due to the button's sensitivity. It becomes quite frustrating when using the camera.
- People also complained about the device overheating. They claimed that the iPhone 16 gets unusually hot during prolonged use. While Apple has promised a solution, nothing has been provided yet.
These are some of the issues people experienced with the iPhone 16 series models. You can try checking for software updates and restarting your device to fix them. However, some issues might not get solved, and you will have to wait for Apple to provide a solution.
2. Why is my iPhone hot?
A very common complaint among users is that iPhones heat up very fast. While your device can heat up when you are using it, this is temporary and harmless. You will mostly experience it when running intensive apps like games or AR.
It is also common for your phone to heat up when you put it on charge. Even running too many background programs can heat up the device. If you are worried about it, you can follow our expert tips to prevent your phone from overheating.
- Close unused apps running in the background
- Turn off Background App Refresh
- Update iOS and your apps
- Also, if it is hot outside, avoid using your iPhone in direct sunlight for long periods.
3. Can I scan my iPhone for malware?
Technically, iPhones don’t get “viruses” the way computers do, thanks to Apple’s closed ecosystem and app sandboxing. But yes, there are still rare cases where your iPhone might show signs of something suspicious, like pop-ups, strange battery drain, or odd behaviour in Safari.
Here is what you can do:
- Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data to remove potential malicious scripts or redirects from websites.
- Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management to see if an unknown profile is installed. If something looks sketchy, remove it.
- Review your installed apps. If something feels off or appeared without you installing it, delete it immediately.
There is no official Apple malware scanner. However, you can find apps in the App Store that claim to be virus scanners and use them. The best defence in such cases is to keep your iPhone updated at all times. Also, never click on shady links or download from unverified sources.
If you really suspect malware and nothing fixes it, a full erase and reinstall (via Settings or using Finder/iTunes) is your safest option.