Why is my iPhone so slow &how to make my iPhone faster?

How to make iPhone faster?

It is not uncommon for iPhone users to sometimes make the query – why is my iPhone so slow and how to make my iPhone faster? Like many other devices, the iPhone also cannot always maintain its peak performance. It is not unusual to notice your iPhone getting sluggish and slower with age. In this article, I am going to provide a few helpful tips on how to make iPhone faster again and get it back to its original speed. These tips are applicable to all models of the device.

Why is my iPhone so slow?

There are several possible reasons why your iPhone is running slow which include, low internal memory, low storage, poor network connection, etc.

Your iPhone might slow down as iOS frequently makes room for more content. For best performance, you need to maintain at least 1GB of free space. To check your device’s storage, go to Settings > General > [Device] Storage.

If you want to get a clearer idea of your iPhone’s overall health, you can also check your battery status by heading to Settings > Battery. This lets you see your battery’s maximum capacity and whether it’s time for a replacement. For a deeper dive into your phone’s performance—like processor load or memory use—there are handy apps such as Usage that can give you more comprehensive metrics.

Importance of updating iOS for better performance

Another key factor in ensuring your iPhone runs smoothly is keeping its iOS updated. Apple regularly releases new iOS versions that not only introduce exciting features but also fix pesky bugs and improve overall device performance. An outdated iOS can sometimes be the culprit behind unexpected slowdowns, random glitches, or even app crashes.

Updating your iPhone is easy—simply head over to Settings > General > Software Update. Always make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery before starting the update. For those with older iPhone models, you may not be able to get the very latest version, but installing the most recent one allowed for your device is essential. This ensures your iPhone benefits from important optimizations and security patches designed to help things run faster and smoother.

If you’re using an older device that can’t run the latest iOS, don’t worry. Keeping your current system up to date, clearing out unneeded files, and managing your storage smartly will help you squeeze the best performance from your device.

Does Apple intentionally slow down older iPhones?

You might have heard rumors that older iPhones are deliberately slowed down by Apple. This is based on some truth: Apple has introduced features in iOS updates that manage performance—particularly on aging batteries. The aim is to prevent unexpected shutdowns and extend your device’s lifespan, not to frustrate users.

For example, when your iPhone’s battery health declines, the system may occasionally reduce peak performance to avoid abrupt power loss. If you suspect your phone is affected, visit Settings > Battery > Battery Health for more information. If performance throttling is detected there, replacing your battery can often restore normal speed.

Can malware make my iPhone slower, and how do I scan for it?

You may believe iPhones are completely immune to malware, but even Apple devices can sometimes fall victim to unwanted software or sneaky adware, especially after downloading unfamiliar apps. Malware can quietly run in the background, using up your phone’s processing power and memory—which is one reason your iPhone might feel sluggish.

Fortunately, you can take steps to keep your device protected:

• Keep your iOS up to date: Apple regularly patches vulnerabilities, so always install the latest updates from Settings > General > Software Update.
• Download trusted apps only: Stick to the App Store and avoid sideloading apps from unknown sources.
• Consider a malware scanner: Tools like Malwarebytes or McAfee Security can perform quick scans to check for unwanted software and remove them if found.
• Restart your phone regularly: While this won’t remove tough malware, it can clear out temporary glitches.

If your iPhone’s speed issues started after installing a particular app, try deleting that app and see if performance improves. Staying vigilant will help keep your device running smoothly and malware-free.

If you are not sure about what is causing the sluggishness of your iPhone you may try the tips below on how to make iPhone run faster to speed up your device.

How to make iPhone faster – steps to follow

1. Boost your phone’s memory

When your iPhone is running slow it is possible that this is due to an issue with its memory. Sometimes, the available memory space may be the cause of your iPhone’s sluggishness. The more free memory you have, the faster your iPhone is likely to run. ‘Battery Saver’ is a free app you can get from the App Store which shows how much memory you’ve used and how much free memory is left. Simply tap the green button that says ‘Boost Memory’ and the app will get your iPhone memory to ‘optimal level’.

There is also a ‘Battery Doctor’ app that can show – how fast your iPhone is running. When your iPhone is running slow, you can tap the ‘Reallocate Memory’ button on the app to re-distribute the memory in your iPhone.

2. Turn off the Background App Refresh feature

There is a Background App Refresh feature in your iPhone which allows apps to refresh their content automatically when on WiFi or a phone network. Since this feature may slow down your iPhone’s speed you can restrict such refresh only to a few selected apps. Turning off the apps you do not want to refresh, not only helps to speed up your device but also helps to preserve battery life. To do this,

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Turn off the apps you do not need to refresh;

3. Turn off the auto-update feature

The auto-update feature of your iPhone has been found to slow down the functionality of your device while updating the apps in the background. To avoid this it is, therefore, advisable to turn this feature off and to update the apps manually instead.

To turn this feature off, go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Toggle off the Update option;

4. Turn off automatic downloads

There are occasions when some apps get downloaded automatically on your iPhone in the background which makes the functionality of your device a little slower. Therefore, it is better to turn off the auto-download feature. This will also make your iPhone battery last longer.

To turn this feature off, go to Settings > Click on iTunes & App Store > Disable the Automatic Downloads option;

Manage Automatic iCloud Backups

Automatic iCloud backups can also tax your iPhone’s performance—especially if you’re syncing large amounts of data in the background. While iCloud is useful for protecting your important files and memories, frequent or hefty backups can hog resources and contribute to sluggishness.

To take control, head to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Here you can disable automatic iCloud Backup, or choose to back up manually only when it’s convenient. You can also manage exactly which apps are included in your backup, unchecking those you don’t need to keep data from. This way, you’ll minimize unnecessary uploads and keep your iPhone running more smoothly.

5. Get rid of unimportant photos and videos

Freeing up storage space on your iPhone is another good way – how to make iPhone faster. Images usually take up significant storage space and memory on your iPhone. Therefore, if your iPhone stores more and more photos and videos it would reduce the working capacity of the device. Hence, if you can remove the unimportant photos and videos on your iPhone it would boost speed and make your iPhone faster. However, if you want you can also backup these deleted photos and videos on iCloud.

To remove the photos and videos, click on Photo App > Touch and Hold videos and photos you want to delete > Tap the trash icon to delete the selected photos;

6. Close all nonessential apps

Closing all nonessential apps is another important step for how to make iPhone run faster. The more overfilled your iPhone RAM with apps is, the slower it is going to run. Some apps on your iPhone take up much more space than you can imagine. Many of us load our iPhones with irrelevant apps. There are many more unused apps also which run in the background as stand-by, which can seriously lead to your iPhone running slowly. So, if you see the unused apps are taking up too much space, you need to shut down some of them.

To find how much space a single app is occupying and to shut down the apps you don’t need, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Tap the app you don’t want > Press ‘Offload Apps’

7. Make sure you have enough storage

If the available storage on your iPhone is consistently less than 1GB, your device might slow down as iOS repeatedly makes room for more content. For best performance, try to maintain at least 1GB of free space. To check your device’s storage go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

8. Empty Safari’s cache

Safari browser comes preinstalled on every iPhone. Since the Safari app gradually gets clogged up with unwanted caches and cookies, your iPhone may get slower over time. To make your iPhone run faster and keep it running smoothly, the Safari junk caches and memory-clogging cookies on the device should be cleaned from time to time.

To clear Safari cache on your iPhone to free up space, go to Settings > Safari > Then tap ‘Clear History and Website Data’.

You may also like to read: How to clear cache on iPhone

9. Disable Low Power Mode

To extend battery life we sometimes turn on the Low Power Mode of our iPhone. In Low Power Mode some features are turned off and some tasks on your device might take longer to complete. Therefore, if your iPhone runs slow you need to check if this mode has been enabled.

To disable this feature, go to Settings > Battery > Turn the Low Power Mode off;

10. Keep your device from getting too cold

Very cold temperatures can slow down your iPhone. If your device runs slowly after being exposed to cold, move it to a warmer location. You should use iOS devices where the ambient temperature is between 0º and 35º C.

11. Check your network conditions

Many apps on your iPhone require an internet connection for their content and other functionality. If the network that you’re connected to is congested, the apps might take a while to open or display their content. Your iPhone can also seem slow as it repeatedly reconnects to new cell towers when you’re in a moving vehicle. Therefore, if your iPhone runs slow make sure that you’re in an area with the cellular network coverage.

A slow or unstable internet connection can make your iPhone feel sluggish, affecting both app performance and web browsing. Always double-check that you’re connected to a strong Wi-Fi or cellular network, especially if things seem unusually slow. If you suspect the network is the problem, try toggling Airplane Mode on and off, or switch to a different Wi-Fi network.

If problems persist, consider resetting your network settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This can resolve stubborn connectivity issues, but keep in mind that you’ll need to re-enter your saved Wi-Fi passwords afterward.

12. Restart your iPhone

If none of the above tips work, then consider restarting your iPhone. Restarting the device once in a while could be a good choice to make your iPhone run faster. If your iPhone becomes slow and you can’t figure out the reason, restarting may help. When you restart your iPhone, it completely cleans its memory, causes all apps and system processes to start again, and let go of some of the resources it might have been holding on to that was slowing down your device. Moreover, such restarting also helps to make your iPhone battery last longer.

To restart your device, hold the Power button till ‘Slide to Power Off’ appears > Move the slider to power off your iPhone > Then hold the Power button to restart it;

Adjust motion settings and screen brightness to maintain iPhone’s speed and efficiency.

Your iPhone is filled with lively animations and visual effects that make the user experience more appealing. However, while these effects might look fancy, they require additional processing power—especially on older devices—which can slow things down. High screen brightness can also drain your battery faster, making your phone work harder than necessary.

To reduce the strain on your iPhone’s system, consider minimizing motion effects and lowering your screen brightness when possible. You can do this by going to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and turning on the “Reduce Motion” option. Additionally, dimming your screen from Control Center or Settings > Display & Brightness will help extend battery life and keep your iPhone running smoothly. By making these small adjustments, you can help your iPhone maintain its speed and efficiency.

Frequently asked questions

Now that I have explained ‘how to make iPhone faster’ let me also address some of the related queries often made by iPhone users.

How to make my iPhone faster?

If your iPhone is slow you can try these tips.

1. Check your network conditions;

2. Close the nonessential apps;

3. Make sure you have enough storage;

4. Disable Low Power Mode when you don’t need it;

5. Keep your device from getting too hot or cold;

Does deleting apps make iPhone faster?

Too many apps running at the same time will run out of your iPhone memory leading to your iPhone running slowly. Thus, removing background apps is helpful to make your iPhone run faster.

How to clear RAM on Older iPhone?

1. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button;

2. When the slide to power off appears, let go of the Sleep/Wake button;

3. Hold down your Home button;

What should I do if my iPhone is old and can’t install the latest iOS?

If your iPhone is too old to upgrade to the latest iOS, don’t worry—you can still take a few steps to keep it running as smoothly as possible. Start by installing all available updates for your device, even if you can’t get the very newest version. Next, focus on managing your storage: delete unused apps, clear out old photos and videos you no longer need, and offload files to iCloud or your computer for extra space.

You’ll also want to reduce the load on your iPhone’s processor. Close background apps regularly, limit widgets and visual effects, and disable features you don’t use (like Background App Refresh or automatic downloads). Periodically restarting your device can also help free up memory and boost performance.

Eventually, if your iPhone struggles to keep up with apps and essential security updates, it might be time to consider planning for an upgrade to a newer model to ensure your data and experience stay secure and smooth.

How do I make my Android phone run faster?

Here’re the tips to follow to speed up your Android phone:

1. Free up storage space;

2. Uninstall unused apps;

3. Restart your phone;

4. Update the phone to the latest software;

5. Factory reset your phone;

How to make iPhone charge faster?

Here’re 7 tips to make your iPhone charge faster

1. Use a wall charger;

2. if possible use a fast charger;

3. Don’t use your iPhone during charging;

4. Don’t use wireless charging;

5. Switch off your iPhone;

6. Turn on Airplane Mode;

7. Turn on Low Power Mode;

Conclusion

If you are not sure – why is my iPhone so slow, try the tips given in the post for how to make iPhone faster. It has been found that iPhone users are able to speed up their iPhones in most cases by following the tips given above.

Apart from the tips above, there may be suggestions to erase all content and settings to reset your iPhone to make it faster. But doing so will wipe out your device and you will lose everything. Therefore, if you go for resetting your iPhone don’t forget to make a backup of your device in advance.

Restoring your iPhone to factory settings is often considered a last resort, but it can be very effective if you’re still dealing with persistent glitches or sluggish performance after trying every other fix. This process will return your iPhone to its original state by deleting all your data, settings, and apps. To safely proceed, first back up everything to iCloud or your computer to avoid losing important information. When ready, you can reset by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Only opt for this method if nothing else has worked, and always double-check your backup before starting the reset.

If you find your iPhone is still running slow even after trying all of the suggested tips in the post and you are not sure about ‘how to make my iPhone faster’, then the only option left with you is to contact Apple Support for resolving the issue.

If you have any other suggestions to speed up a slow iPhone, feel free to share the same in the comment section below to help other readers.