iPhones are built to stay fast for years, but they can feel slower over time. Usually the cause is something you can fix in a few minutes: low storage, an ageing battery, a pending update or too much happening in the background.
1. Restart your iPhone
A restart clears temporary files and stops processes that have got stuck. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the slider appears, drag it, then turn your iPhone back on. (On iPhones with a Home button, hold the side or top button.)
2. Update iOS and your apps
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any update. Apple often includes performance fixes. Then open the App Store, tap your profile picture, and update your apps.
Right after a major iOS update, your iPhone may feel slower and the battery may drain faster for a day or two while it re-indexes photos and data in the background. This settles down on its own, especially if you leave it charging overnight on Wi-Fi.
3. Free up storage
When storage is nearly full, iOS has less room for temporary files and caches, and everything slows down. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage and aim to keep a few gigabytes free. Our guide to freeing up iPhone storage covers the quickest wins.
4. Check battery health
As batteries age, they may not be able to deliver peak power. To prevent unexpected shutdowns, iOS may then manage performance, which can make your iPhone feel slower.
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health (on some models, Battery Health & Charging). Under Peak Performance Capability, you will see whether performance management has been applied. If your battery is significantly degraded, a battery replacement can restore performance.
5. Turn off Low Power Mode when you need speed
Low Power Mode saves battery by reducing background activity and some performance. If the battery icon is yellow, it is on. Turn it off in Settings > Battery or Control Center when you need full performance.
6. Limit Background App Refresh
Background App Refresh lets apps update content when you are not using them. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and switch it off for apps that do not need it, or turn it off entirely, or set it to Wi-Fi only.
7. Reduce Motion
Animations take a moment to play. Turning on Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion replaces many of them with simple fades, which makes opening and switching apps feel quicker.
8. Clear Safari data
If browsing is slow, clear website data in Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. See clearing the Safari cache on iPhone.
9. Do not bother force-closing apps
Swiping apps away in the app switcher does not normally make your iPhone faster. iOS manages background apps itself, and reopening an app from scratch uses more power than resuming it. Only force close an app that is frozen or misbehaving.
10. Reset all settings as a last resort
If your iPhone is still slow, Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings returns settings such as Wi-Fi networks, keyboard dictionary and privacy settings to defaults, without erasing your apps, photos or data. Make a backup first.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my iPhone so slow all of a sudden?
Common causes are very low storage, a recent iOS update still finishing background work, Low Power Mode, or an ageing battery. Check storage and battery health first.
Does closing apps speed up an iPhone?
Generally no. iOS manages background apps. Only force close apps that are frozen or misbehaving.
Will replacing the battery make my iPhone faster?
If Battery Health shows performance management has been applied, a new battery can restore normal peak performance.
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