iPhone Running Slow and Freezing? Here’s How to Fix It!

Is your iPhone running slow and freezing constantly? You’re not alone. Many users face this frustrating issue, especially after software updates or prolonged device usage. A sluggish iPhone can disrupt daily tasks, making even simple actions like opening apps or typing messages a struggle.

But don’t worry! Whether your iPhone is lagging, freezing, or glitching, there are several effective fixes to bring it back to peak performance. In this guide, we’ll explore why iPhones slow down and provide proven solutions to speed up your device.

Why Is My iPhone Running Slow and Freezing?

If your iPhone is running slow and freezing, several factors could be causing the issue. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

• Low storage space – When your iPhone’s storage is nearly full, it struggles to process tasks efficiently. Deleting unnecessary apps, photos, and files can free up space and improve performance.

• Too many background apps – Even when not in use, apps running in the background consume RAM. Closing unused apps can help your device run faster.

• Outdated iOS version – Older software may cause glitches and slow response times. Updating to the latest iOS version ensures better stability and security.

• Overheating issues – Excessive heat can force your iPhone to throttle performance. Avoid using it in direct sunlight and remove unnecessary background processes.

• Battery degradation – An aging battery reduces processing power. Checking battery health and replacing it if needed can restore speed.

Addressing these factors can help resolve iPhone running slow and freezing problems effectively.

Read Also: 5 Simple Ways How to Fix Location Expired iPhone – Step by Step Guide

Why Is My iPhone Screen Laggy and Unresponsive?

If your iPhone running slow and freezing, it could be due to several reasons affecting touch sensitivity. Here’s what might be causing the issue:

• Dirty or Wet Screen – Dust, smudges, or moisture can reduce touch accuracy, making the screen feel sluggish. A simple wipe with a microfiber cloth can improve responsiveness.

• Software Bugs – Glitches in iOS may cause delays or freezes, especially after an update. Restarting your device or checking for software patches can resolve temporary issues.

• Low RAM Availability – If multiple apps are running in the background, your iPhone may struggle to process touch commands efficiently. Closing unnecessary apps can help.

• Physical Damage – A cracked screen or internal component failure might lead to unresponsiveness, requiring professional repair.

Quick Fix: Restart your iPhone, clean the screen, and update iOS to improve performance. If the issue persists, consider a factory reset or seeking professional help.

Read Also: 5 Simple Ways How to Fix Location Expired iPhone – Step by Step Guide

Why Does My iPhone Keep Glitching and Freezing?

If your iPhone running slow and freezing, several factors could be causing the issue. Here are the most common reasons:

• Incompatible Apps – Some apps may not be fully optimized for your iOS version, leading to glitches or unexpected crashes. Updating apps can often fix this.

• Corrupt System Files – Damaged files within iOS can cause random freezing and screen flickering. A system restart or software update may help clear the issue.

• Jailbreaking Issues – If your iPhone is jailbroken, it might experience instability due to unauthorized modifications, resulting in performance problems.

Solution: Close unnecessary apps, restart your device, and reinstall any problematic apps. If the issue persists, updating iOS or performing a factory reset may be necessary.

iPad Running Slow and Freezing? Here’s What to Do

If your iPad running slow and freezing, it may be struggling with software or hardware limitations. Here are the common causes and how to fix them:

• Old iOS Versions – Running an outdated iOS can lead to sluggish performance and compatibility issues with apps. Regularly updating your iPad ensures better stability and speed.

• Too Many Background Processes – Apps running in the background consume RAM, slowing down performance. Closing unused apps and restarting your iPad can help free up memory.

• Heavy Apps – Resource-intensive apps can put too much strain on older iPads, leading to lag. Consider uninstalling or replacing them with lighter alternatives.

Fix It By: Updating iOS, clearing unnecessary storage, and restarting your iPad regularly. If performance issues continue, a factory reset may help restore smooth operation.

Read Also: How to Fix a Bent iPad

Why Is My iPhone Lagging When Charging?

If your iPhone running slow and freezing while charging, several factors could be affecting its performance. Here’s why this happens:

• Overheating While Charging – Charging generates heat, and excessive temperatures can cause your iPhone to throttle performance, making it feel sluggish.

• Low-Quality Charger – Using third-party or non-certified chargers may result in inconsistent power delivery, affecting touch response and system speed.

• Software Running in the Background – Apps and system processes running in the background can overload the CPU, leading to noticeable lag during charging.

Solution: Use an Apple-certified charger, close unnecessary apps, and avoid using your phone while it’s charging to prevent overheating and lagging issues.

Read Also: Does Your Phone Charge Faster On Low Power Mode

How to Fix a Laggy iPhone?

A lagging iPhone can be really frustrating, but with a few simple steps, you can significantly speed it up. Here’s a detailed guide to help get your device back to its smooth self:

• Close Background Apps – Multiple apps running at once consume your iPhone’s memory. Swipe up and close all unused apps to free up system resources.

• Clear Safari Cache – Over time, Safari accumulates browsing data that can slow down your device. Head to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data to remove this clutter and boost speed.

• Restart Your iPhone – Restarting your phone can fix temporary glitches and free up memory that’s being held by unused processes, making your phone feel snappier.

• Update to the Latest iOS – Keeping your iPhone up-to-date ensures you’re getting the latest bug fixes and performance enhancements. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.

• Clear Storage Space – A full storage can severely slow down your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and remove apps, photos, or videos you no longer need.

• Disable Background App Refresh – Apps that constantly refresh in the background can drain your resources. Turn it off by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and disable it for apps that don’t need it.

• Reduce Motion and Animations – iOS has animations that can sometimes make the phone feel slower. Reduce them by going to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and turning on Reduce Motion.

Quick Tip: Implementing all or even a few of these fixes can instantly make your iPhone feel faster and more responsive!

How Do I Tell If My iPhone Has a Virus?

While iPhones are generally less susceptible to viruses, malware can still cause issues. If you suspect your device might be compromised, watch out for these signs:

• Random Pop-Ups or Ads – If you’re suddenly bombarded with unwanted ads or pop-ups, this could indicate that malware has infected your phone.

• Battery Draining Too Fast – Unusual battery drain, especially when you’re not using your phone heavily, can be a sign that malicious apps or processes are running in the background.

• Apps Crashing Unexpectedly – Frequent app crashes or system freezes can occur if malware is affecting your device’s performance.

Fix: Remove any unknown or suspicious apps, clear your browser cache to eliminate harmful data, and avoid clicking on links from unknown sources. If the problem persists, consider doing a factory reset or consulting with a professional.

How to Clear RAM in iPhone?

Clearing RAM can help speed up your iPhone by freeing up memory for smoother performance. Here’s how you can do it:

• For iPhones with a Home Button:

  1. Hold down the power button until the “Slide to Power Off” option appears.

  2. Slide to power off.

  3. Once the screen turns off, hold the Home button until the screen refreshes. This clears the RAM and improves responsiveness.

• For iPhones without a Home Button:

1. 1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and enable it.

   2. Use the virtual Home button to access the power-off screen.

   3. Hold the virtual Home button until the screen refreshes, clearing the RAM.

Quick Tip: This method helps reset your iPhone’s memory, making it run faster and more efficiently by removing unnecessary processes.

Read Also: How To Clear Cache in Messenger iPhone ?

How to Reset iPhone When It’s Lagging?

If your iPhone running slow and freezing, a reset can help restore smooth performance. Here are two ways to do it:

• Soft Reset (Force Restart) – If your iPhone is lagging or unresponsive, this quick reset can clear temporary glitches:

  • For Face ID models: Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Power (Side) button until you see the Apple logo.

  • For Home Button models: Hold the Power + Home button together until the Apple logo appears.

• Factory Reset (Full Reset) – If performance issues persist, a full reset erases everything and gives your iPhone a fresh start:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

  2. Confirm and wait for the process to complete.

  3. Important: Back up your data before doing this to avoid losing important files!

Quick Tip: Start with a soft reset, and if the lag continues, consider a factory reset for a clean slate.

Read Also: How to unblock a phone number on iPhone ? 

Battery Health and Its Impact on iPhone Speed

A weak battery doesn’t just affect how long your iPhone lasts—it can also slow it down! When battery health declines, iOS automatically limits performance to prevent sudden shutdowns.

How to Check Your Battery Health:

• Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.

• If the Maximum Capacity is below 80%, your iPhone may experience sluggish performance and longer app load times.

How to Fix It:

• Replace the Battery – If your battery health is too low, consider getting it replaced at an Apple service center.

• Enable Low Power Mode – Temporarily improves efficiency by reducing background processes (Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode).

• Avoid Extreme Temperatures – Heat and cold can degrade battery life faster, leading to more slowdowns.

Quick Tip: A fresh battery can restore your iPhone’s speed and improve overall performance!

My iPhone get hot when i use it

If your iPhone is overheating, it can contribute to a variety of performance issues, including lagging and freezing. Overheating can occur for several reasons, such as excessive app usage, environmental factors, or faulty hardware.

Common Causes of iPhone Overheating:

1. Heavy App Usage: Running multiple heavy apps, especially resource-intensive ones like games or video streaming apps, can cause your iPhone to heat up.

2. Charging While Using: Using your iPhone while it’s charging generates heat, which may cause performance throttling.

3. Hot Environments: Exposure to high temperatures, such as using your phone in direct sunlight or in a hot car, can make your device overheat.

4. Background Processes: Too many apps or system processes running in the background may increase CPU usage, generating more heat.

How to Fix Overheating iPhone:

• Close Unnecessary Apps: Always close apps that you’re not actively using to reduce CPU load.

• Turn Off Unneeded Features: Disable features like Bluetooth or location services when not needed.

• Let It Cool: If your iPhone is hot, turn it off for a while to allow it to cool down.

• Use Apple-Certified Chargers: Avoid using third-party chargers that could potentially cause overheating.

Read Also: Why is my MacBook Air overheating ?

Conclusion

If your iPhone is running slow and freezing, don’t worry! By applying the fixes above—clearing RAM, adjusting settings, updating iOS, and checking battery health—you can significantly boost performance.

Regular maintenance, like deleting unnecessary apps, managing storage, and using Apple-certified accessories, can prevent future slowdowns. Small tweaks in settings can make a huge difference in how smoothly your iPhone operates.

Try these methods and see the improvement yourself! Which fix worked best for you? Let us know in the comments!

FAQs

Why does my iPhone slow down after an update?

Sometimes new iOS updates require extra storage, causing temporary slowdowns. Free up space and restart your device.

How often should I restart my iPhone?

Restarting your iPhone once a week helps clear background processes and improve speed.

Does low battery affect iPhone speed?

Yes! When battery health declines, Apple reduces performance to prevent sudden shutdowns.

Why is my iPhone hot and lagging?

Overheating can throttle CPU performance. Avoid using it in direct sunlight and close background apps.

How do I know if my iPhone storage is full?

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check and delete unnecessary files.

Can too many photos slow down my iPhone?

Yes, especially if you’re running out of storage. Consider using iCloud or Google Photos to back up files.