Why Is My iPhone So Slow? (And how to fix it!)

Ugg! You’re swiping through apps, trying to load a page, or just scrolling through email, and your iPhone feels like it’s stuck in slow motion. We’ve all been there! It has to be one of the most frustrating and common tech issues, no matter what type of phone you use. Luckily, there are some common and simple answers to the question: why is my iPhone so slow? (…perhaps with some more colorful language thrown in.) What’s more, the fixes are usually fairly quick and easy. 

Here are some of the common causes of a sluggish iPhone—and what you can do to get your phone purring smoothly along again. 

iPhone Issue 1: Not Enough Storage Space

Especially if you’ve had your phone for some time, the apps, photos, emails, and other data can take up more and more space. And as available space decreases, it slows down your phone’s performance. 

Simple Fix: Check your storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you’re running low, you can simply delete the apps you don’t use, offload photos to the iCloud, or start clearing out old messages. Keeping around 10 to 20% of your storage free can improve your iPhone speed and performance. 

iPhone Issue 2: You Haven’t Updated Recently

Yes, you’re busy. And it may feel inconvenient and time-consuming to update your software, but outdated software can slow performance and increase bugs. It could also make your device less secure. Keeping on top of regular updates can ensure your phone stays optimized and running smoothly. 

Simple Fix: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure your phone is up to date. If you see an update available, take the time to install it. Then restart your phone. 

Better yet, set up your phone to automatically install any software updates. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Then tap on Automatic Updates. Toggle both Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates. Your iPhone will automatically update overnight as long as you’re connected to WIFI and have enough charge (or are charging). You may, however, still occasionally be prompted to confirm some updates, but most of them will be handled in the background while you sleep. 

iPhone Issue 3: Too Many Background Processes

Most of us have no idea how many resources the apps and tasks on the iPhone can take behind the scenes. But the more there are, the slower the phone can get. 

Simple Fix: Start by closing any apps you’re not using by either swiping from the bottom of the screen or double-clicking on the home button if you have an older model and then flicking away the app. You can also go to Settings > General >Background App Refresh to turn off background activities for apps you don’t need to refresh all the time. 

iPhone Issue 4: Cluttered Home Screen

Do you open up your phone and find virtually no free space? It’s easy to continue to add more and more widgets over time. But as those widgets clutter your home screen, they can also slow down your phone—especially if you have an older model.

Simple Fix: Take a good look at all the apps and widgets you have. Are all of them necessary? Or do you see several you never use and perhaps don’t even remember installing? If so, it’s probably time to clean up your home screen. Go to Settings > Home Screen and opt for fewer widgets or rearrange the apps you use into folders to minimize clutter. Bonus: it’s easier to find and keep track of the apps you use. So, you may want to schedule a monthly or quarterly clean-up. 

iPhone Issue 5: Battery Health Deterioration

If your iPhone is several years old, your battery may have degraded over time. This can cause your iPhone to slow. 

Simple Fix: Check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging. If your maximum capacity is low, it may be time to consider replacing your battery. Fortunately, Apple offers battery replacements that can breathe new life into an older phone. 

iPhone Issue 6: Website History

Safari and other web browsers collect a lot of data over time, all of which can bog down your phone’s speed. 

Simple Fix: If you haven’t done so recently, it’s time to clear your browsing history and cache. In Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Once you’ve freed up space, it should vastly improve your browsing speed. 

iPhone Issue 7: Graphics Settings

Fancy effects and motion animations can be a lot of fun, but not at the expense of your iPhone’s performance. Especially if you have an older model, this is one common reason to ask: “why is my iPhone so slow?” 

Simple Fix: One way to improve the speed of your phone is to reduce motion effects. Start by going to Settings > Accessibility> Motion. Then, toggle your phone to minimize motion. This will make transitions faster and save processing power for improved speeds. 

iPhone Issue 8: Low-Power Mode

Low-Power Mode is a great feature for conserving battery power. But it also limits performance and can make the phone sluggish. And you may have turned it on and then forgotten you’re in the low-power mode until you notice it just isn’t performing as well as usual. 

Simple Fix: Go to Settings > Battery and see if you currently have the low-power mode on. If you don’t need to conserve battery power, toggle it off to return your phone to its regular performance.

iPhone Issue 9: External Issues

Sometimes the issue isn’t with your phone itself but with external factors. This can include weak WIFI, cellular signal, or network issues. 

Simple Fix: If you notice your phone is running slowly when you’re connected to WIFI, try resetting your router or connecting to a different network. If it’s a cellular issue, check your signal strength. You could also try toggling Airplane Mode on and off again to reset the connection and see if that improves the performance. 

Takeaways: Why Is My iPhone So Slow?

There are numerous reasons why your phone is feeling sluggish. Fortunately, there are usually simple fixes, so you can stop asking, why is my iPhone so slow. If, however, after addressing the common issues, you find your iPhone is still slow, it might be time to consider upgrading. Older models, especially those with overused batteries or limited storage, can continue to struggle with modern apps and software updates. 

If you find you’re constantly deleting apps, closing background processes, or fighting through slow performance, upgrading to a newer model with improved specs might be the best long-term solution. Sometimes, what you really need is a fresh start to get things up and running smoothly again.