People having iPhones usually talk about how it boosts their productivity due to an easy-to-use interface. Unlike many Android devices, an iPhone shows better performance due to its advanced processors and chis. However, that doesn’t mean your iPhone cannot run slow. There are a number of reasons why your iPhone may start lagging and slowing down. As frustrating as it may sound, it is usually fixable. You can try a number of tricks to improve the speed of your new or used iPhone. The results are generally positive, but in some cases, you may hit a dead end and have no other choice except to replace your old iPhone.
In this article, we have shared a few tips to improve your iPhone’s processing speed.
How to Fix a Slow iPhone
While you can buy a used or refurbished iPhone to save your money, you may want to keep holding on to the one you already have. In order to get the most out of your iPhone and improve its performance, you can try the following:
1. Manage iPhone Apps
The easiest way to tackle a slow and laggy iPhone is to manage the apps. You can manage your iPhone apps to get a faster phone in the following ways:
Close Idle Apps
When you switch from one app to another on your iPhone, it doesn’t close and keeps running in the background. If you have a lot of apps open at once, they will use more processing power of your iPhone. Besides consuming processing power, multiple apps also use more battery, draining your device quickly.
To close the apps you’re not using, double click the home button and swipe on each app you no longer need running. You can also close them all at once by clicking the cross at the bottom.
Delete and Reinstall
Sometimes, a single app can cause processing issues in your iPhone. You can counter this problem by deleting and reinstalling that particular app. While deleting an app may vary in different versions, in most iPhone models, you can do it by long-pressing the app icon and then tapping the small X that appears on the top right of the app icon. This method works in older and newer iPhone models, whether it is a brand-new iPhone 5S, a used iPhone X, or a Used iPhone 12 Pro.
After deleting the app, you can redownload it from the App Store.
Update Regularly
Apple apps get regular updates from the developers, addressing different bugs and issues. You can update them manually or automatically. If you enable the automatic update feature in your App Store, all your apps will be updated automatically as soon as a new update is released. You can also manually update the apps you want and keep the automatic feature off.
2. Free Up Space
Sometimes, a new, used or refurbished iPhone may start acting sluggishly if it has reached its storage limit. You can check the type of data that takes up most space on your iPhone and manage your storage.
To check the data, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap on General
- Select [your device] Storage
Here, you will see a color-coded bar loading. Once it finishes generating, you can see the categories that take up the most space on your iPhone. By clicking on each category, you can take a look at the data and start deleting unnecessary files.
3. Clear the Cache
Another enemy of your iPhone’s processing speed is cache. Our phones have a habit of hoarding cache, and if the cache gets too crowded or corrupted, there is a chance of it leaving adverse effects on our device. If your iPhone is acting up while you surf the internet, clearing your cache can help improve its speed. When you clear your browser cache, it deletes temporary files, passwords, and images from the previously browsed websites. As a result, your iPhone feels lighter and gets a speed boost.
4. Update to the Latest iOS Version
Using an older iOS version can significantly slow down your iPhone’s speed. Updating to the latest version not only improves its speed but also keeps it secure.
Updating the iPhone to the latest iOS version is quick and easy. You can do it directly from your iPhone or connect to your MaOS or Windows PC. Before updating your iPhone to the latest operating system, you should back up its data on the iCloud.
To update your iPhone directly, follow these steps after connecting your phone to the Wi-Fi:
- Open the Settings app
- Select General and go to the Software Update option
- You will see available updates here that you can Download and Install on your iPhone
Updating the iOS system takes time, and changes are usually applicable after the iPhone restarts on its own when the update is complete.
5. Reset the Settings
If nothing else works, you can reset your iPhone settings to default, and it may improve your iPhone’s performance. Follow these steps to reset your iPhone settings:
- Open the Settings app and select General
- Choose Reset and tap on Reset All Settings or Erase All Content and Settings
- You will be prompted for your passcode, and the iPhone settings will reset after you enter the passcode
Note: Doing this will erase all your iPhone data, so make sure you have a backup
Is Your iPhone Still Slow?
If you have tried all the ideas discussed in this guide, but your iPhone performance hasn’t improved, it may be time to upgrade. A slow and sluggish iPhone is one of the most common reasons people switch to a new iPhone model. Due to a slow processor, everything takes more time, making the iPhone experience frustrating. You can save yourself from this torture by investing in a new smartphone. However, getting a new iPhone doesn’t mean you need a brand-new one. You can also buy a used iPhone from a reputable retailer online and save a significant amount without compromising quality or features.
