If you have an iPhone that no longer works smoothly like it did in the beginning, don’t worry. This can be normal considering some factors such as its age or that there is a software problem that is causing it. In this post we delve a little deeper into this matter and help you get your slow iPhone back to work quickly as far as this is possible.
Scheduled obsolescence?
The so-called programmed obsolescence is related to the alleged bad practices of some manufacturers, which implement certain adjustments through software in order to make the device work worse and therefore force the user to renew their equipment. Apple devices, as a general rule, work more or less the same over the years, not counting the obvious deterioration of the battery and other components due to natural causes.
However, the Californian company was the protagonist a few years ago because of a controversial iOS update in which older iPhones were slowed down. Many users and associations sued the company and in fact there are still some pending lawsuits. We are not who to judge if Apple’s explanation was true or not, but the truth is that it made some sense.
The brand claimed that it had changed the frequencies of the older processors using software in order to give a longer life to the devices without some aspects such as the battery being abruptly damaged. That is, they prioritized the fact that the battery lasted longer and suffered less than the fact that iPhones could run more smoothly. In any case, the company solved this problem in future updates and released phones with improved processors so that this situation does not occur more times.
If your iPhone is slow for a short time
As we have said, it is not common for iOS updates to malfunction in a terminal. In fact, it is about optimizing resources to the maximum so that the experience is not affected. However there are some updates that may contain bugs that make this experience worse. Failures such as unexpected restarts, apps that take longer to open, and even others that don’t open may be common. This is especially notable in the first versions of a system, which are released in September and October.
The company releases more or less an update every month, in which they improve the performance of the phones and solve the flaws detected in previous versions. Therefore, if your iPhone is slow for a short time, it is very likely due to an update with these bugs. It is recommended to check if there is a more recent update, which you can check from Settings> General> Software update.
Having the most current version of iOS on your iPhone is not only positive for its good performance, but it also allows you to benefit from the latest improvements in privacy and security, as well as the visual and functional innovations that it could incorporate.
If the iPhone is slow for a long time
If, unlike the previous case, your iPhone has been running for a considerable period of time with problems regarding fluidity, it is very possible that it is due to problems derived from the software. In this case, an iOS update may not work, so you can carry out some actions such as those that allow you to save space on the iPhone . Sometimes it can happen that having an almost full memory causes problems for the correct operation of the device.
Your device may also store junk files . These are a series of elements that take up space and can cause problems. They usually appear when the phone has not been restored for a long time or you have been restoring backups on it. If these copies were also made on another previous phone, it is possible that this is also causing problems.
The most radical solution to this type of problem is that you carry out a complete restoration of the device and configure it without backup. Remember that you can save data that is synchronized in iCloud, such as photos and videos, calendars, notes, messages or bookmarks from Safari. Below we explain the methods you have to perform a complete restoration, although the most recommended is from a Mac or Windows PC.
Save data synchronized with iCloud
Since the restoration will be complete and you will have to configure the iPhone as new, you can save some data by following this route.
- Open Settings.
- Click on your name.
- Go to iCloud.
- Check the boxes of those apps in which you want to keep your data.
Restore from iPhone itself
- Go to Settings.
- Click on General.
- Scroll down and select Reset.
- Tap Delete content and settings. You may be asked for your Apple ID password and iPhone security code.
Restore from Mac with macOS Catalina or later
- Connect iPhone to Mac via cable.
- Open a Finder window .
- Click on the name of the iPhone located in the directory on the left.
- Tap Restore iPhone. You may be required to enter the Apple ID and / or iPhone security code. Don’t disconnect your device from the Mac for the duration of the process.
Restore from Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier
- Connect iPhone to Mac via cable.
- Open iTunes.
- Tap the iPhone icon at the top of the window.
- Tap Restore iPhone. You may be required to enter the Apple ID and / or iPhone security code. Don’t disconnect your device from the Mac for the duration of the process.
Restore from Windows PC
- Connect iPhone to computer via cable.
- Open iTunes.
- Tap the iPhone icon at the top of the window.
- Tap Restore iPhone. You may be required to enter the Apple ID and / or iPhone security code. Do not disconnect the device from the computer during the process.
If the iPhone is new
Regardless of the iPhone model you have, if this has been recently purchased and was brand new, it is obvious that you have a problem. It may be the case that the software version fails, in which case you can search for an update or restore the iPhone as we have explained in previous points. However, you can go to Apple because the phone is under warranty.
Once technical support reviews your device, they can tell you what the fault is and whether or not it can be fixed. In any case, the solution they will give you will be free unless it is a fault given by a misuse on your part, such as the iPhone containing water damage. Also, the fact that the phone has received a hit may cause the warranty not to cover it.