Why Is My iPhone So Slow? How to Make an iPhone Faster

Your iPhone wasn’t always like this. Once, it opened apps in a snap, ran smoothly, and never froze mid-scroll. Now? It lags, stutters, and even typing feels like a chore. You’re not alone—iPhones can slow down over time. But that doesn’t mean it’s old or broken.

In this guide, we’ll explain why your iPhone is running slow and how to fix it—from simple setting tweaks to deep cleanups that’ll make it feel brand new again. Let’s speed things up.

Why Is My iPhone So Slow?

Before you jump into fixes, it’s essential to understand what might be causing the slowdown.

1. Full Storage: When your iPhone is nearly full, it doesn’t have enough space for temporary files, app caches, and background processes. This leads to lagging, camera delays, and choppy typing.
2. Battery Health Decline: A degraded battery can’t supply enough power to the processor, prompting iOS to throttle performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
3. Too Many Background Processes: Multiple apps running in the background, constant widget updates, and location services consume memory—slowing down the tasks that matter to you.
4. Outdated Software or Apps: Older iOS versions or apps can become buggy and inefficient. Updates usually fix performance glitches and improve speed.
5. Low Power Mode: While Low Power Mode saves battery, it reduces animations and limits background activity, making your iPhone feel sluggish.
6. Extreme Temperatures: Using your iPhone in extreme heat or cold forces the system to slow down to protect internal components.
7. Performance Management Is On: iOS may automatically enable performance management after unexpected shutdowns, reducing speed to ensure stability.
8. Malware or Unofficial Apps: Rare, but possible—especially on jailbroken devices. Malware or sketchy apps can hog system resources in the background.
9. Poor Network Conditions: A weak Wi-Fi or cellular signal can make apps feel unresponsive. It’s often mistaken for overall slowness.
10. Recent iOS Update: Your iPhone may feel sluggish post-update due to indexing and background optimization. A restart usually fixes it.

How to Make Your iPhone Faster

Now that you know what causes the lag, let’s fix it.

1. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart clears system memory and resolves temporary bugs.

1. Press and hold the power and volume button.
2. Drag the slider to turn off.
3. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

2. Free Up Storage

iPhones need free space to work efficiently. Try to keep at least 10–15% storage free.

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
   
   
2. Wait a moment while your iPhone analyzes storage usage.
3. You’ll see a list of apps, along with the amount of space each is using.
4. Tap any app to either Offload App (remove the app but keep its data) or Delete App (remove both app and data).
   
   
5. Choose to offload or delete apps you rarely use or that take up too much space.

Once you’ve cleared unused apps and media, the next step is to clean up other types of data that can silently fill your storage and slow things down. These include cached browsing files and old message history.

1. For browsing data, go to Settings > Apps > Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data to clean up old web files. You can do the same for any other browser you use. 
   
   
2. If you’re running low on space, consider setting messages to auto-delete. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Keep Messages and set it to auto-delete messages older than 30 Days or 1 Year. 
   
   

3. Update iOS and Apps

Updating your iPhone and its apps can help resolve bugs that may be slowing down your device. New iOS versions often iron out small glitches that you might not even notice but can still affect performance.

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
   
   
2. Tap Download and Install if available.

For Apps:

• Open the App Store, tap your profile, and choose Update All.
  
  

4. Check Battery Health

A degraded battery can slow your iPhone down because it can no longer provide enough power during heavy tasks. When this happens, iOS reduces performance to avoid unexpected shutdowns.

To check your battery health:

1. Go to Settings > Battery.
2. Tap Battery Health.
3. Check the Maximum Capacity percentage. If it’s below 80%, it may be time for a battery replacement.
   
   

You can get it replaced at an Apple Store or an authorized service center for the best results.

5. Turn Off Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode saves battery by reducing the amount of work your iPhone has to do. It reduces animations, limits background tasks, and slows down the processor. That’s why your phone may feel sluggish when it’s on. If you want better speed and performance, it’s better to turn it off when you don’t need to save battery.

1. Go to Settings > Battery.
2. Turn off Low Power Mode.
   
   

6. Disable Background App Refresh

Disabling this setting prevents apps from using system resources in the background. It frees up memory and processor power, which helps your iPhone run smoother, especially if you have many apps installed.

1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
2. Turn it off completely or disable it for specific apps.
   
   

7. Remove Widgets and Reduce Motion

Widgets and animations consume memory and graphics resources. Removing them can help your iPhone respond faster, especially on older models.

• Long-press a widget and select Remove Widget.

To reduce motion:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion.
2. Turn on Reduce Motion.
   
   

However, removing animations can make your iPhone feel less fluid, which may affect the user experience.

8. Reset All Settings (Optional)

Resetting all settings can fix hidden issues that may be causing your iPhone to lag. It doesn’t erase your data but restores all settings to default, which can help clear out software conflicts.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
   
   
2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
   
   

9. Factory Reset (Last Resort)

A factory reset wipes your iPhone completely and reinstalls the system, which can eliminate deep issues that nothing else fixes. Use this only as a last resort, and be sure to back up your data beforehand.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
   
   
3. Follow the prompts to complete the reset.

How to Keep Your iPhone Fast Over Time

Making your iPhone faster once is great, but keeping it fast is even better. These small habits can help your device stay smooth in the long run.

1. Set regular cleanup reminders: Set monthly cleanup reminders to remove unused apps, clear Safari data, and manage your storage. Regular cleanups prevent your iPhone from becoming cluttered with unnecessary files that can slow it down.
2. Restart weekly: A quick restart once a week clears temporary files and small glitches. This helps your phone stay smooth and responsive.
3. Limit widget use: Only keep widgets you actually use. Too many widgets constantly update in the background and can slow things down over time.
4. Keep apps updated: Make sure your apps are always on the latest version. App updates often fix slowdowns and improve speed.
5. Avoid overheating: Don’t use your iPhone in direct sunlight or while charging for long hours. Heat can slow down performance over time.
6. Turn off features you don’t use: Features like AirDrop, Bluetooth, and location services drain resources. Turning them off when not needed helps free up power for what you are actively doing.

Also Read: Best iPhone Cleaner Apps to Maximize Your Storage

When It’s Time for a New iPhone

If your battery is dying, storage is always full, and performance hasn’t improved even after resets, it might be time for an upgrade. Especially if your current device no longer supports iOS updates.

Pro Tip: Check Apple’s trade-in program—you might get a sweet discount on your next iPhone.

Video: 6 Awesome Tips to Boost iPhone Speed

Final Words – The Simple Fix for a Slow iPhone

iPhones slow down for reasons—like storage bloat, battery issues, or outdated software. The good news? Most problems are fixable. Start with a restart, clear the clutter, turn off unnecessary features, and keep your device up to date. These simple steps can breathe new life into your iPhone—no Genius Bar appointment required.

Related articles worth reading:

• Apple Watch Too Slow? Tips to Speed Up Your Apple Watch
• How to Fast Charge iPhone and iPad (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Speed Up a Slow Mac