How to Troubleshoot an Unresponsive App on iPhone

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

App TroubleshootingiPhoneUnresponsive AppsAppleMobile AppsDevice ManagementPerformanceUser InterfaceiOSSoftware

Your iPhone is a powerful device with apps that let you do everything from managing your daily tasks and communicating with friends to playing games and reading the news. However, like any technology, it can have issues. A common problem iPhone users face is unresponsive apps. This guide will explore steps and ideas for troubleshooting unresponsive apps on iPhone.

Understanding the issue

Before moving on to the solutions, it's important to understand why an app might become unresponsive. The problem can arise from several sources, including:

• There is a bug in the application itself.
• There is insufficient memory on the iPhone.
• Operating system update issues.
• Compatibility issues between the app and the iOS version.
• Temporary app glitches or data corruption.

Steps to troubleshoot an unresponsive app

Now, let's take a systematic approach to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Force close the app

The simplest solution is often the best starting point. If an app becomes unresponsive, try force closing it. Follow these steps:

1. On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause briefly in the middle of the screen. On an iPhone with a Home button, double-click the Home button to show your recently used apps.
2. Find the app that is unresponsive.
3. Swipe up on the app preview to close the app.

After closing the app, wait for a few seconds and re-open it to check if the issue is resolved.

2. Restart your iPhone

If force closing the app doesn't work, restarting your iPhone can help fix temporary system glitches. How to restart your iPhone depends on the model you have:

• iPhone X and later: Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds until your device turns off. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
• iPhone 8 and earlier models: Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds until your device turns off. To turn it back on, press and hold the Top (or Side) button until you see the Apple logo.

3. Check for app updates

App developers often release updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Ensuring the app is up-to-date may resolve the issue:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Scroll to view any pending updates.
4. If the app is listed, tap Update next to it.

4. Check iOS for updates

An outdated iOS version can cause compatibility issues with apps. To check for an iOS update:

1. Open settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software update.
4. If an update is available, tap Download and install.

5. Reinstall the app

If the app still doesn't work, consider uninstalling and reinstalling it. Keep in mind that doing this may result in the loss of data in the app, unless it's automatically backed up to a cloud service:

1. Press and hold the app until it starts to shake.
2. Tap the "X" icon or minus icon (-) if available on the app.
3. Tap Delete to confirm.
4. Go to the App Store and re-download the app.

6. Free up storage space

Running out of storage can impact app performance. To manage and free up space:

1. Open settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap iPhone Storage.
4. Review your list of apps to see which ones are using the most storage.
5. Delete unnecessary apps or media files to free up space.

7. Reset all settings

As a last resort, you can reset all settings on your iPhone. This will not delete your data, but will reset network settings, keyboard dictionary, home screen layout, location settings, and privacy settings:

1. Open settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset, then choose Reset All Settings.
5. Enter your passcode if asked and confirm your choice.

Conclusion

Dealing with an unresponsive app on iPhone can be frustrating, but following these steps methodically can help you solve most problems. Start with the simplest solution and move on to more complex solutions as needed. If these steps don’t work, the problem may be more serious, and consulting the app developer or Apple Support may be your next step.

Useful tips

• Keep your iOS and apps updated to minimize bugs and compatibility issues.
• Regularly back up your iPhone data using iCloud or iTunes for recovery.
• Monitor and manage your storage regularly to avoid space issues.

By understanding these troubleshooting techniques, you can effectively handle unresponsive apps and maintain your iPhone's performance efficiently.

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