Apple’s iPhones might be beautifully crafted pieces of tech that many people regard as the pinnacle of smartphone design, but even they can run into problems.
Here are our top troubleshooting tips for all iPhone iterations. We’ll start by looking at some general troubleshooting tips, then focus on model-specific issues.
1. Restart Your iPhone
The number one cure for any tech ailment—iOS or Android, Windows or Mac, TV or printer—is to turn the device off and back on. Indeed, there are very few situations where a simple reboot shouldn’t be your first port of call.
The trick works because it resets the software into a stable state after an unexpected sequence of events caused something to break.
The process varies depending on which model of iPhone you have, but we’ve covered how to restart any iPhone, even if the buttons are broken.
2. Update iOS
if a simple reboot didn’t fix your issue, you need to ensure your iPhone is up to date. If you’re running an outdated version of iOS, certain apps and features might not be compatible (not to mention the security vulnerabilities this exposes you to).
To update iOS, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. We’ve also got some solutions if you can’t update your iPhone.
3. Update Your Apps
If you’re having issues with a particular app, it’s worth ensuring you’re running its latest version. That’s because developers are constantly releasing bug fixes with each new update, so the issue you’re facing may have been fixed.
You can update apps manually via the App Store. In the App Store app, tap your profile photo at the top. Then, scroll down and tap Update All or the specific app you want to update.
4. Force-Close an iPhone App
Sometimes an app’s instance will become unresponsive, causing it to freeze.
Force-Close an App on iPhone X or Later
To force-close an app on an iPhone X, swipe up from the bottom of the screen but leave your finger on the screen halfway up. The phone will launch the app switcher. Swipe up on an app card to close it.
Force-Close an App on iPhone SE, iPhone 8, or Earlier
To force-close an app on an iPhone 8 or older, double-press the home button to bring up the app switcher. Swipe left and right to find the app you want to close, then swipe up.
5. Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings
Most connectivity issues can be solved by resetting your network settings. It’s easy to do. Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Remember that although you won’t lose your valuable data, you will lose any saved Wi-Fi passwords by performing this reset.
6. Reset All Settings on Your iPhone
If you think an erroneous setting (rather than software or hardware) is the root of your problems, you can reset all phone settings without losing your data. Of course, you’ll need to put everything back the way it was afterward.
Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings to begin the process.
7. Factory Reset Your iPhone
If you need a nuclear option, you could factory reset your iPhone. It will return your device to its original state. Although this won’t cure hardware issues, it should solve most software and OS-related problems.
To reset your iPhone, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
Make sure you back up all your iPhone data before you perform a factory reset. You will irrecoverably lose any data you have not backed up.
8. Check Your iPhone’s Battery Usage
iPhones generally have excellent battery life, even for power users. But if your device’s battery drains unusually quickly, you can try to identify the offending app.
To see which apps use the most juice, go to Settings > Battery. You can check the charts at the bottom to look at the battery usage of various apps over a certain time frame.
9. Review Your iPhone’s Battery Health
Batteries can only tolerate a certain number of charge cycles before severely deteriorating. Fortunately, Apple allows you to keep an eye on your iPhone’s battery health with ease.
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging to take a look. And if it’s lower than 80%, it’s time to get a battery replacement.
10. Fix Bluetooth Issues
Bluetooth can act surprisingly finicky for a technology that’s so widely used. If you’re having problems creating a Bluetooth connection between your iPhone and another device, there are a couple of fixes you can try.
Firstly, remove old devices that you no longer use. It can help avoid conflicts. To unpair a device, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Info > Forget This Device.
Secondly, turn Bluetooth off and on again (sound familiar?). Swipe up from the bottom of the screen on an iPhone 8 or earlier (swipe down from the upper-right for iPhone X and later) to access the Control Center, and tap the Bluetooth icon to toggle it.
11. Fix HomeKit Issues
Some smart home devices are HomeKit-enabled, thus letting you control them from your iPhone using Siri.
If your HomeKit devices are not working as expected, ensure you’re logged into the same iCloud account on both your iPhone and the devices themselves. If nothing else works, you can reset your HomeKit connections by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > HomeKit > Reset HomeKit Configuration.
12. Check for Dirt
If you have problems charging your iPhone or using its physical buttons, you should always check for dirt, dust, and other muck that might have built up under the buttons and the Lightning port.
The best way to dislodge the dirt at home is to use a can of compressed air. We have a detailed guide on cleaning your iPhone that should help.
13. Revoke Background Permissions
If your iPhone overheats, you can’t use features such as the camera flash. In extreme cases, you might not be able to use your phone at all until it cools down.
Obviously, if you accidentally left your phone in the sun, it’s easy to identify the culprit. Car vent clips can also cause overheating. However, if it overheats regularly during normal usage, an intensive background app could be at fault.
To prevent apps from running in the background, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and slide the toggles on a per-app basis as required.
14. Remove the SIM Card
If you’ve suddenly lost the network signal unexpectedly, a dislodged SIM card could be your issue.
Thankfully, it’s easy to remove and reinsert the SIM. You just need a pin or paperclip to open the tray (because nobody keeps Apple’s SIM-eject tool, right?).
15. Go to an Apple Store
If you can’t fix the issue yourself, it’s probably time to book an Apple Store appointment at a Genius Bar. If your device is under warranty or you have Apple Care, the store will fix your iPhone for free, even if it involves sending it away for repair.