How to Fix a Slow iPhone: 13 Tips to Boost Performance

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How to Fix a Slow iPhone: 13 Tips to Boost Performance

Time to put these tips into action! We’ve got 13 ways to tackle iPhone lag, each targeting a different cause—some free up memory, others adjust settings, and a few dig deeper into performance tweaks. Follow these steps, and your iPhone should feel faster and smoother.

1. Close Active Apps

A quick way to reduce iPhone lag is to close apps running in the background. These apps use system resources, which can slow down your device. By closing them, you free up RAM and help your iPhone run more efficiently.

1. Unlock your iPhone and swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the App Switcher. If your iPhone has a Home button, double-click it instead.

2. In the App Switcher, you’ll see a carousel of open apps. Swipe left or right to browse through them.

3. To close an app, swipe it up and off the screen. This action will terminate the app’s activity.

4. Repeat this process for each app you want to close. Focus on apps that you are not actively using.

Although Apple claims that closing open applications does not impact iPhone performance, it actually helps make an iPhone less laggy.

2. Restart iPhone

Yes, it sounds obvious. Yes, it actually works. Restarting your iPhone can help resolve temporary glitches and refresh system processes. It’s a simple yet effective way to improve performance and fix laggy iPhone issues. A restart clears the memory and stops all ongoing tasks, providing a fresh start for your device.

• iPhone X and Later: Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the phone. Wait for about 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

  

• iPhone 8 and Earlier: Press and hold the top (or side) button until the slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the phone. After about 30 seconds, press and hold the top (or side) button until the Apple logo appears.

Tip: Make it a habit. Restarting your iPhone once a week acts like a mini refresh and can help prevent lag from building up over time.

3. Manage iPhone Storage

A nearly full iPhone is a slow iPhone. When storage is crowded, your device struggles to create temporary files it needs to run smoothly. While Apple doesn’t specify exactly how much free space you need, keeping around 10–20% of your storage available is ideal. Drop below 10%, and you might notice app crashes, sluggish response times, and general lag.

Time to tidy up your storage.

Note: To check what’s using space, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. You’ll see a breakdown of used and available storage, plus Apple’s recommendations for what to clear. If your storage bar is mostly full, it’s definitely time to act.

For most users, Photos take up the largest chunk of storage. All those memes, screenshots, duplicates, and 4K vacation videos can pile up fast. If Photos is your biggest space hog, it’s time for a thorough cleanup. You could scroll through and delete everything manually—but why spend all that time when an app can do it for you?

There are plenty of options, but our favorite free app is Clever Cleaner: AI iPhone Cleaner. This app automates the cleanup process with just a few taps. In our tests, it cleared half a gigabyte of near-duplicate photos and several gigabytes of other unnecessary files from our media library—in just minutes.

The app focuses entirely on your media library, with 4 key cleaning features that tackle different types of clutter:

• Similars. Detects and cleans all those exact copies and similarly looking images that every library accumulates. While the Photos app has a built-in Duplicates album (detector), it only works for exact copies. This app goes further, using AI algorithms to scan, detect, and group similar shots—then automatically selects the best one to keep and cleans the rest. Of course, you can always review the groups and make your own selections if you prefer.

• Screenshots. Deletes all unnecessary screenshots in one go.

• Lives. Converts Live Photos into still images to save storage—something surprisingly rare, and a feature we haven’t found in most other competitors.

• Heavies. Lists all your photos and videos, sorted from largest to smallest, so you can quickly remove the biggest storage hogs. Shockingly, the Photos app (as of iOS 18) still doesn’t have this feature.

Clever Cleaner is pretty intuitive, but let’s still walk through a quick demonstration. Here’s how to clean duplicates and similar photos with the app:

1. Search for “Clever Cleaner” in the App Store or download it directly here. Once installed, launch the app and grant it permission to access your photos. This is only needed to scan your library. As stated on the official Clever Cleaner: Duplicate Cleaner webpage, “Clever Cleaner does all the processing locally on your device … no photos or personal data get uploaded to the cloud.”

2. Go to the Similars tab. This section scans for both exact duplicates and similar photos, even those taken days apart.

3. Tap Smart Cleanup. AI will analyze your photos, select the best ones, and mark duplicates and near-duplicates for deletion.

4. Prefer manual selection? Tap on a group, review images, and manually pick what to delete or keep. If you don’t want to remove anything, just tap Skip All.

5. Slide to Delete. Then, confirm the cleanup once more. And that’s it.

Use all features freely. Clever Cleaner doesn’t hold anything back—no paywalls, locked tools, or ads before, during, or after cleaning. That’s as impressive as its cleanup capabilities.

One final step: after using the app, don’t forget to empty your Recently Deleted folder in the Photos app. Clever Cleaner reminds you that deleted files stay there for up to 30 days. Clearing this folder immediately frees up even more space.

Remember, your photo library isn’t the only place taking up storage. For smart ways to reclaim space without deleting important files, check out our guide on how to free up storage on your iPhone without losing anything.

4. Check iOS Updates

Keeping your iPhone updated ensures the best performance. Updates include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements—all of which can help reduce lag. Regularly check for iOS updates so your device stays fast and smooth.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap General.

3. Select Software Update. Your device will check for available updates.

4. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Check that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery life or is connected to a power source.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Your device may restart during the process.

Regular updates can fix issues that cause an iPhone to lag, but as we mentioned before, the opposite can also be true. Updates often bring bug fixes, but they can also introduce new ones.

Before updating, it’s always a good idea to do a quick search like “iOS [version] problems” to see if others are reporting issues. This way, you can decide whether to update immediately or wait until Apple rolls out a more stable version.

5. Disable Background App Refresh

Your iPhone works hard—even when you’re not using it. Many apps constantly update in the background. This feature can consume resources and cause your iPhone to become laggy. Disabling Background App Refresh for apps that do not need it can help improve your phone’s performance and battery life.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap General.

3. Select Background App Refresh.

4. Tap Background App Refresh again and choose Off to disable it entirely or disable it for individual apps.

Disabling this feature for apps that don’t need to update in the background constantly can make your iPhone less laggy and conserve battery power. This simple adjustment can lead to noticeable improvements in speed and responsiveness.

6. Update Apps in the App Store

Outdated apps can be another hidden cause of lag—especially if they aren’t optimized for the latest iOS version. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs and improve the user experience. Updating apps can help fix a laggy iPhone by addressing issues that cause slowdowns.

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.

2. Tap your profile icon at the top right corner of the screen.

3. Scroll down to see a list of available updates. You can update apps individually by tapping Update next to each app or selecting Update All to update all apps at once.

4. Wait for the updates to download and install.

Note. If an app still lags after updating, try to delete and reinstall it; it often fixes the issue. This clears out cached data, corrupted files, and any lingering bugs that might be slowing it down.

7. Disable Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode conserves battery life by reducing performance and limiting background activities. While this feature helps extend battery life, it can make your iPhone feel slow. Disabling Low Power Mode can enhance your iPhone’s performance when you need speed over battery savings.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap Battery.

3. Toggle off the Low Power Mode switch. The battery icon in the status bar will change from yellow to white, indicating that the Low Power Mode is off.

Turning off Low Power Mode allows your iPhone to run at full performance, which can help reduce lag and make it more responsive. This is especially useful when using resource-heavy apps or when conserving battery isn’t a priority. Don’t worry—Low Power Mode automatically switches off once your battery reaches 80% or higher, restoring full performance.

8. Reduce Motion

iPhone motion effects—like parallax and animations—can use extra system resources, sometimes causing noticeable lag when scrolling or switching apps. Disabling these animations can smooth out performance, particularly on older iPhone models that struggle with visual effects.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Tap Accessibility.

3. Select Motion from the list of options.

4. Toggle on the Reduce Motion switch. This action will minimize the animations and visual effects.

5. Optionally, toggle on Prefer Cross-Fade Transitions to further simplify the visual effects.

Reducing motion can make your iPhone less laggy by minimizing the processing power needed for animations. This can lead to a smoother user experience, especially if you prefer a simpler interface without the extra visual flair.

9. Check Internet Connection

A poor or unstable internet connection can make your iPhone appear laggy, especially when using apps that require internet access. Slow loading times and interrupted services often stem from connectivity issues rather than the device itself. Checking and improving your internet connection can help make your iPhone less laggy.

1. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network with a strong signal. If necessary, move closer to the router or remove any obstacles that may weaken the signal.

2. Use an app or website like Speedtest by Ookla to check your internet speed. Compare the results with your expected speeds from your internet service provider.

3. If the connection is slow or unstable, try restarting your Wi-Fi router. Unplug it from the power source, wait about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.

4. If Wi-Fi issues persist, consider using cellular data for a faster connection. Go to Settings > Cellular and toggle on Cellular Data.

5. Resetting network settings can resolve persistent connection problems. Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and select Reset Network Settings. This action will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords, so reconnect afterward.

If you resolve internet connectivity issues, you can reduce the perceived lag and improve your iPhone’s performance in online apps. A stable connection allows apps and services to function smoothly without unnecessary delays.

10. Turn Off Location Services

Your iPhone constantly tracks your location for apps like Maps, Weather, and social media—but do all your apps really need access to your whereabouts 24/7? Not only does this lead to a laggy iPhone, but it also drains battery life. Turning off Location Services can free up resources and speed things up.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.

3. Select Location Services.

4. Toggle the switch next to Location Services to disable it entirely. Alternatively, scroll through the list of apps and toggle off location access for specific apps that do not need it.

5. For apps that require location data only when actively in use, choose While Using the App to limit their access.

Note. Don’t disable it completely (unless you really know what you’re doing). Some features, like Maps, Find My iPhone, and ride-sharing apps, need location services to function properly.

11. Prevent Overheating

If your iPhone gets too hot, iOS automatically throttles performance to protect its internal components. That means lag, stuttering, and sluggish response times. Overheating can happen for many reasons—gaming for long periods, high-res videos, or charging your phone in direct sunlight. The fix? Keep your iPhone cool. Here are some tips to prevent overheating:

1. Keep your iPhone out of direct sunlight, especially during hot weather, as prolonged exposure can raise its temperature quickly.

2. Remove the case while charging to allow heat to dissipate more efficiently.

3. Regularly close apps not in use. Running too many apps simultaneously can increase the processor’s workload, generating heat.

4. Tasks like gaming or video streaming can heat your device. Limit these activities if you notice your iPhone getting warm.

5. When not needing connectivity, turn on Airplane Mode to reduce heat from cellular and Wi-Fi activities.

12. Reset All iPhone Settings

If nothing else has worked, your iPhone might just need a fresh start—without deleting your data. Resetting all settings restores system defaults, clears out any misconfigured settings, and can fix deep performance issues that may be causing iPhone lag.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Tap General.

3. Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.

4. Tap Reset and choose Reset All Settings.

5. If prompted, enter your passcode and confirm the action. Your iPhone will restart, and all system settings will revert to default.

Resetting all settings won’t delete your apps, photos, or other personal data. It simply restores system settings—Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, privacy settings, and preferences—to their defaults. This can help fix lag caused by conflicting settings or misconfigurations.

Note: In the same menu, you’ll also see Erase All Content and Settings. Don’t confuse the two. This option wipes your iPhone completely—apps, photos, messages, and accounts—and should only be used as a last resort. Always back up your data before using it.

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13. Replace Your Battery

Sometimes, lag is caused by your battery not being able to support full performance. Apple considers a battery in good condition if it’s at 80% or higher. Below that, your iPhone may throttle performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

To check your battery health:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging.

2. Look at Maximum Capacity. If it’s significantly below 100% or shows a service message, a battery replacement may be needed.

Replacing your battery with a genuine Apple battery can restore performance and make your iPhone feel like new. Apple offers official replacements at Apple Stores or Authorized Service Providers.

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Why Some Apps Lag

Lag in specific apps often comes down to high resource demands or settings designed for newer iPhones.

• Graphics settings: Many games and resource-heavy apps let you adjust graphics. High settings can overload older devices. Lowering them often improves performance.

• Hardware optimization: Some apps are tuned for the latest models. Older devices may struggle, causing lag.

For better in-app performance—especially in games—check for app updates or contact developers if issues persist.

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Closing Notes

iPhone lag is an age-old issue—every iOS version has users reporting it, especially after new releases. That said, following the fixes in this guide—from simple tweaks to more advanced solutions—usually restores smooth performance.

Start with the easy steps, then move toward resets or battery replacement if needed. Most lag issues are software-related, so your chances of a quick fix are very high.

Try these methods and enjoy a faster, more responsive iPhone!