10 Proven Ways to Speed Up Your iPhone

We’ve all experienced it at some point: the frustration of a sluggish iPhone that seems to take an eternity to load apps, respond to commands, or simply function smoothly. Don’t worry; you don’t need to rush out and buy the latest model to enjoy a faster smartphone experience.

In this article, I will show you ten proven ways to speed up your iPhone and make it feel brand new again. For more details, check out the details provided below.

Table of Contents

Tips to Speed Up Your iPhone

Here are the tips and yet proven ways you can follow in order to speed up your iPhone:

Update Your iOS

One of the most straightforward ways to improve your iPhone’s speed is to keep it updated with the latest iOS version. Apple regularly releases updates that include performance enhancements and bug fixes. To update your iPhone, click here for a complete guide, or follow the steps below:

Go to “Settings.”
Next, click on “General.”
Select “Software Update.”
If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.”

Clear Out Unnecessary Apps

Over time, your iPhone accumulates a slew of apps you rarely use. These apps can slow down your device, as they take up valuable storage space and may run background processes. To remove unused apps, press and hold the app icon until it wiggles, then tap the “X” button.

Locate the app you want to delete on your home screen.
Press and hold the app icon until it starts to jiggle.
Tap the “X” button on the app you want to delete.
Confirm the deletion by selecting “Delete.”

Manage Background App Refresh

Apps running in the background can consume system resources and slow down your iPhone. To control which apps refresh in the background, follow these steps:

Go to “Settings“, and click on “General.”
Next, select “Background App Refresh.”
Toggle off the switch for apps you don’t want to refresh in the background.

Reduce Motion and Transparency Effects

iOS includes animations and transparency effects that can make your iPhone feel sluggish. To speed things up:

Open “Settings“, and go to “Accessibility.”
Under “Motion,” toggle on “Reduce Motion.”
Return to the Accessibility menu and disable “Increase Transparency” under “Display & Text Size.”

Clear Safari Cache

If you use Safari as your web browser, it’s essential to clear your browsing history and website data regularly. To do so:

Open “Settings“, and go to “Safari.”
Select “Clear History and Website Data.”

Optimize Storage

iOS has a built-in feature called “Optimize iPhone Storage” that helps manage your photo and video storage. This feature stores full-resolution images in iCloud while keeping smaller versions on your device.

To enable it:

Open “Settings“, and click on “Photos.”
Toggle on “Optimize iPhone Storage.”

Restart Your iPhone

A simple yet effective way to refresh your iPhone’s performance is to restart it regularly. This closes background apps and frees up system resources. Here is how to restart your iPhone:

Press and hold the power button until you see the “slide to power off” slider.
Slide to turn off your iPhone.
Wait a moment, then press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.

Clear App Cache

Some apps accumulate cache data over time, which can slow down your iPhone. Check individual apps for cache-clearing options within their settings. For example, in Safari, you can clear website data by:

Opening the Safari app, and navigating to the app’s settings or preferences.
Look for an option to clear cache or data and follow the on-screen instructions.

Limit Widgets

Widgets can be convenient, but having too many active on your home screen can negatively impact performance. To remove or add widgets, swipe left on your home screen and tap “Edit.”

Swipe left on your home screen to access the widgets.
Scroll to the bottom and tap “Edit.”
Remove unnecessary widgets by tapping the red minus button, or add new ones by clicking on the green plus button.

Reset Settings (Caution)

As a last resort, you can reset your iPhone’s settings to their default values. This won’t erase your data, but it will reset various preferences and options. To reset your iPhone:

Open “Settings“, and go to “General.”
Select “Reset“, and choose “Reset All Settings.”

Your iPhone doesn’t have to feel sluggish and unresponsive. By following these ten proven tips, you can significantly speed up your iPhone, prolonging its lifespan and improving your overall smartphone experience.

FAQs on How to Speed Up Your iPhone

Here are some questions you might want to ask about how to Speed up your iPhone:

Why is my iPhone slow?

Your iPhone might become slow due to various reasons, including outdated software, too many unused apps, background processes, or accumulated cache data.

How can I update my iPhone’s software?

To update your iPhone’s software, follow these steps:

Open “Settings.”
Scroll down and click on “General.”
Select “Software Update.”
If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.”

Will deleting unused apps really make a difference in my iPhone’s speed?

Yes, deleting unused apps can improve your iPhone’s speed. These apps take up storage space and may run background processes, consuming system resources.

What is Background App Refresh, and why should I manage it?

Background App Refresh allows apps to update data in the background, which can slow down your iPhone. By managing it, you can control which apps refresh in the background, preserving system resources.

How do I clear the cache in Safari?

To clear the cache in Safari, follow these steps:

Go to “Settings.”
Scroll down and click on “Safari.”
Select “Clear History and Website Data.”

What does “Optimize iPhone Storage” do, and how can I enable it?

“Optimize iPhone Storage” stores full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud while keeping smaller versions on your device to save storage space. Here is how to enable Optimize iPhone Storage.

How often should I restart my iPhone?

Restarting your iPhone is a simple way to refresh its performance. It’s a good practice to do this regularly, such as once a week, to clear background processes and free up resources.

What is the risk of clearing app cache?

Clearing app cache can free up storage and potentially improve speed. However, it might log you out of apps and delete some stored preferences, so be prepared to re-enter login details or reconfigure settings for affected apps. Learn more.

Can I speed up my iPhone without resetting all settings?

Yes, there are several ways to speed up your iPhone without resetting all settings. You can follow the tips mentioned in the article, such as clearing cache, reducing motion, and limiting widgets.