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How to Fix a Slow iPhone
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*Please note, these steps work for me and many friends that use the process. I am advising based off of personal experience. Thanks!

by Amanda Max
1.8k Likes
181.1k Views
Step 1 of 11

Is your iPhone slow to respond? Trying to open an app and there is a delay? Just like a normal computer, sometimes a little maintenance can help speed up the OS. Here's a few tips that work for me.

Step 2 of 11
Enter SETTINGS>SAFARI

Enter SETTINGS>SAFARI

Step 3 of 11
Here you will find CLEAR HISTORY & CLEAR COOKIES AND DATA.

Here you will find CLEAR HISTORY & CLEAR COOKIES AND DATA.

Step 4 of 11
By clearing history, it will close all current browsing pages that you have open. Please save any unfinished work or bookmark pages that you do not want to lose BEFORE you click CLEAR HISTORY.

By clearing history, it will close all current browsing pages that you have open. Please save any unfinished work or bookmark pages that you do not want to lose BEFORE you click CLEAR HISTORY.

Step 5 of 11
As the photo says, cookies and data helps speed up browsing, but it can also slow down your system by caching temporary files. Personally, I clear this weekly as regular maintenance.

As the photo says, cookies and data helps speed up browsing, but it can also slow down your system by caching temporary files. Personally, I clear this weekly as regular maintenance.

Step 6 of 11
Sometimes closing certain apps help to clear up system resources.  To close running, suspended, or background apps, DOUBLE TAP the HOME button. This will pull up a list of running apps.

Sometimes closing certain apps help to clear up system resources. To close running, suspended, or background apps, DOUBLE TAP the HOME button. This will pull up a list of running apps.

Step 7 of 11
Press and hold down one of the app icons for two (2) seconds. The apps will start to wiggle and have a red minus sign on the left corner. Press the minus sign to shut down the app.

Press and hold down one of the app icons for two (2) seconds. The apps will start to wiggle and have a red minus sign on the left corner. Press the minus sign to shut down the app.

Step 8 of 11
On another note, if an app isn't working properly, try closing it using this method and re-opening it again. Sometimes it just needs a restart.

On another note, if an app isn't working properly, try closing it using this method and re-opening it again. Sometimes it just needs a restart.

Step 9 of 11

Another tip is to do a hard restart on the iPhone. Do this by holding down the top lock button and home screen button until the phone turns off and the starting Apple appears on the screen.

Step 10 of 11
Another tip I found to be beneficial is reducing the frequency that iOS checks for mail. You can find this in SETTINGS>MAIL,CONTACTS,CALENDARS

Another tip I found to be beneficial is reducing the frequency that iOS checks for mail. You can find this in SETTINGS>MAIL,CONTACTS,CALENDARS

Step 11 of 11
Scroll down to find the FETCH NEW DATA option. From here, you can reduce the time that your system checks for new mail. This also helps reduce battery drain.

Scroll down to find the FETCH NEW DATA option. From here, you can reduce the time that your system checks for new mail. This also helps reduce battery drain.

You're Done!
Start over

This guide was made by:
Amanda Max
Austin, Texas
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I AM: An Austinite. Twenty-something. A Mom. An INFP. Allergic to pumpkin, lavender, & cauliflower (True story). Cooler than a box of rocks.

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Shauna Rooke-Meyer

Thanks for posting this guide. I have an iPhone 3 that is not connected to a data package that has been running slower and slower as time goes on. I just cleared both in Safari and did a hard reset. I am very much looking forward to things speeding up. Many thanks again! :)

Shauna Rooke-Meyer 4 days ago

Josie Fisher

Does this work for iPad too?

Josie Fisher 6 days ago

Psyche Blast

Thank you! All my apps were running, is that normal? I mean on the bottom screen.

Psyche Blast 6 days ago

K.naz Noori

Thank you!

K.naz Noori 6 days ago

Lazarus Ross

Awesome Guide!

Lazarus Ross last week

Greg Oliveau

Thank you - some of those suggestions will likely also save battery life too.

Greg Oliveau 3 weeks ago

Steve Heritage

Nice one Amanda

Steve Heritage last month

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Tested on iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4/4s

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