How to Fix iPhone Lagging Issues After iOS 18 Update?

If your iPhone is lagging after updating to iOS 18, you're not alone. Many users face performance issues due to new features, background tasks, or software bugs. In this guide, we'll explore the most common causes of lagging and provide effective solutions to improve your iPhone's performance.

Key Takeaways

• Increased resource demands from new iOS 18 features can cause older iPhones to lag.
• Background processes like app updates and dynamic widgets may contribute to performance issues.
• Outdated or incompatible apps can slow down your iPhone, so updating them is essential.
• Low storage space can significantly affect iPhone performance; aim to keep at least 10-15% free.
• Clearing cached data and reducing background tasks can improve speed and responsiveness.
• Software bugs in iOS 18 may lead to lag, but patch updates can resolve these issues.
• Resetting settings or performing a factory reset may help resolve persistent lagging problems.
• Using Low Power Mode and disabling unnecessary features like motion effects can enhance performance.
• If issues persist, consider contacting our experts  for deeper hardware or software diagnostics.

Why Your iPhone is Lagging After Updating to iOS 18

1. Increased Resource Demands

New features in iOS 18 may require more processing power and memory. This can strain devices with older hardware, leading to slower performance.

2. Background Processes

iOS 18 introduces new background tasks, such as app updates, system checks, and Live Activities, that consume CPU and RAM, contributing to lag.

3. Incompatible Apps

Some apps may not yet be fully optimized for iOS 18, causing poor performance or crashes. These issues can affect the overall responsiveness of your iPhone.

4. Low Storage Space

Insufficient storage can slow down your iPhone, as the system struggles to manage temporary files and caching. Keeping at least 10-15% of your storage free can help maintain smooth performance.

5. Cached Data Accumulation

Over time, cached data from apps and system processes can accumulate, slowing down your device.

6. Software Bugs

Major updates like iOS 18 can introduce bugs that impact system stability. These bugs often lead to lag until Apple releases a patch.

7. Settings Conflicts

Settings from previous iOS versions may conflict with new configurations in iOS 18, causing performance issues.

8. Battery Health Issues

A degraded battery may cause your iPhone to throttle performance to conserve energy, resulting in noticeable lag.

9. Overheating

High resource usage from intensive apps or prolonged gaming sessions can cause your iPhone to overheat, leading to automatic performance reduction.

How to Fix Lagging Issues After iOS 18 Update: Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Restart Your iPhone

• Restarting clears temporary glitches and resets active processes that may be causing your iPhone to lag. It refreshes the system and often resolves minor performance issues.
• Press and hold the Power button + Volume Down, then slide to power off. Restart after a few seconds.

2. Check for App Updates

• Outdated apps may not be optimized for iOS 18, which can lead to crashes or lag. Updating your apps ensures they run smoothly with the new system and prevent performance problems.
• Open the App Store > Tap your profile icon > Update All.

3. Free Up Storage Space

• iPhones slow down when storage is full, as the system struggles to manage tasks and cache data. Freeing up storage allows your iPhone to run more efficiently and improves performance.
• Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Delete unnecessary apps, photos, or videos, or move them to iCloud.

4. Reduce Background Processes

• Background tasks like app refresh and location services consume memory and processing power. Disabling non-essential background processes reduces resource usage and speeds up the phone.
• Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, and disable it for non-essential apps. Also, disable Location Services for apps that don’t need it.

5. Reset All Settings

• Settings from previous iOS versions can conflict with iOS 18, causing lag. Resetting all settings restores defaults without deleting data and resolves potential software conflicts.
• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset All Settings. This won’t delete your data but will reset system preferences.

6. Disable Unused Features

• Features like Live Activities or dynamic widgets can consume resources in the background. Disabling them reduces load on the system, helping to improve overall speed and responsiveness.
• Disable Live Activities in Settings > Face ID & Passcode, and turn off Dynamic Island animations if they impact performance.

7. Clear Safari Cache and App Data

• Cached data accumulates over time, taking up storage and slowing down performance. Clearing browser and app cache frees up resources and enhances system speed.
• Clear Safari history via Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Offload unused apps through Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

8. Update to the Latest iOS Version

• Apple regularly releases bug fixes and performance optimizations after major updates. Installing the latest version ensures your iPhone benefits from these improvements and runs smoother.
• Go to Settings > General > Software Update, and install any available updates.

9. Use Low Power Mode

• Low Power Mode reduces background activity like app refresh and mail fetch, saving battery and improving performance, especially on older devices or during heavy use.
• Go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode, or add it to the Control Center for easy access.

10. Disable Motion Effects and Animations

• Motion effects and animations may look nice but can slow down navigation, especially on older models. Disabling them improves speed and makes transitions faster.
• Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion, and enable Reduce Motion.

11. Factory Reset (As a Last Resort)

• If all else fails, a factory reset eliminates any software conflicts, returning your iPhone to its original state. This resolves deep-rooted performance issues but should only be done after backup.
• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Ensure your data is backed up before proceeding.

12. Contact iFixScreens

• If the lag continues after troubleshooting, it might indicate a hardware issue or the need for more in-depth diagnostics. For all your iPhone repair needs, reach out to iFixScreens. Whether it's hardware repairs or common screen repair, we've got you covered! We provides high-quality, same-day repairs at affordable prices. You can either mail in your device or visit the nearest iFixScreens store.

Final Thoughts

To fix lagging issues after the iOS 18 update, start by restarting your iPhone, updating apps, freeing up storage, and reducing background tasks. If the problem continues, try more advanced solutions like resetting settings or performing a factory reset. Keeping your iPhone’s software up-to-date is essential, and if none of the steps help, contacting iFixScreens is the best option.

FAQ's

Q. What is the solution to iPhone lagging?

A. To fix iPhone lagging, restart your device, update apps, clear storage, reduce background processes, and disable unnecessary features. As a last resort, consider resetting all settings or performing a factory reset.

Q. Why is my iPhone lagging after the new update?

A. Your iPhone may lag after a new update due to increased resource demands, background processes, outdated apps, low storage, or software bugs.

Q. Why is iOS 18 beta so laggy?

A. The iOS 18 beta may be laggy because it’s not fully optimized and may have bugs or compatibility issues, leading to slower performance.

Q. How do I reset my iPhone when it's lagging?

A. To reset your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Make sure to back up your data before performing a reset.