Fix Apps Freezing on iPhone After iOS 16 Update
The better way to deal with an issue is to first find out the possible culprits upfront as it makes the job a tad easier. So, let’s get through it!
Why Do Apps Become Unresponsive on My iPhone?
The biggest reason why an app tends to freeze is the lack of compatibility. If the app has not yet been updated or optimized to work with the latest version of iOS, it will face numerous issues like unresponsiveness and crashing. Though a software bug and a miscellaneous glitch are also responsible for the problem. Been there done that; I have found a few workable solutions to get rid of this annoyance as and when it raises its head. Note that we have created a separate guide about all the most common iOS 16 problems and their solutions. Hence, if you have run into a plethora of issues after the software udpate, do check out that article.
1. Force Quit the Problematic Apps
The very first thing that you should do when an app seems to get frozen or does not respond to touch/tap is force quit it. If the problem is due to an occasional software glitch, the force quit will resolve it straight away.
On iPhone with Face ID: Swipe up from the home bar and hold along the middle of the screen. After that, swipe up on the app cards to force kill all the open apps.
On iPhone with Touch ID: Simply double-press the Home button to bring up the app switcher. Then, swipe up the app cards to kill all the running apps.
Now, launch the app to check if the issue is gone. If you have gotten the better of the problem, there is a good chance that a random glitch was spoiling your party.
2. Update the Apps
If you haven’t updated the apps for a long time, I suspect it’s nothing but the outdated version that is causing the issue. Aside from triggering the frustrating freezing issue, an outdated version also causes out-of-the-blue crashing, rapid battery drain, and terrible sluggishness. Not to mention, it also makes an app more vulnerable to hacking. That’s the reason why it is always better to keep apps updated.
Go to the App Store on your iPhone -> your profile -> scroll down to find the list of apps.
Now, you can hit the Update All button to update all the apps at once or choose to update apps individually.
3. Hard Reset Your iPhone
Force reset is also quite effective when it comes to fixing a misbehaving app. Therefore, give it a try without fail.
Press and quickly release the volume up button. Then, press and quickly release the volume down button. Next, hold down the side button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
4. Declutter the Apps
Another viable solution that you should try is to clean up the problematic apps. If the apps have been cluttered, decluttering could fix them. Wondering how to clean up apps? Well, you can dive into the Settings of a respective app and look for a way to clear the storage. These days, most apps offer a hassle-free way to clear the storage. So, there shouldn’t be any pain in wiping out the redundant data and retrieving the precious storage.
5. Reset All Settings
If apps continue to get frozen even after you have hard reset your iPhone, go for the factory reset. Note that it will remove all the existing settings but retain all the media and data.
Head over to the Settings app on your iPhone -> General -> Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.
6. Update Software
As stated above, a software bug could also be the reason why apps are not working expectedly on your iPhone. And in this scenario, going for the software update is always the best way forward.
Ensure that your iPhone has around 50% battery and is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. If the battery is low, connect your device to a power source and allow it to charge up to 20%.After that, open the Settings app on your iPhone -> General -> Software Update and then download and install the latest version of iOS.
7. Delete And Reinstall the Apps
No luck as yet? Bother not, a fresh reinstall could help you get rid of the app’s freezing problem in iOS 16.
Just touch and hold onto an app -> Remove App -> Delete App and confirm.
Then, go to the App Store -> search for the apps and install them as usual.
8. Last Resort: Restore Your iPhone As New
Though I’m quite sure you may not have to go for this radical solution in most cases, it’s worth mentioning here. Quite a few users who had faced the same problem had to try it out. Hence, missing out on this one would be a mistake. But, be sure to back up your entire device upfront before going for this nuclear solution.
Simply, connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable -> launch iTunes/Finder -> Select your device.Next up, back up your iPhone. Once the backup is done, hit Restore iPhone and then follow the instructions to set up your device from the scratch.
Fixed the App Crashing Issue on iPhone Running iOS 16 or Later
I guess you have successfully resolved the app’s unresponsiveness in iOS 16. Since these tips have worked for me for ages, I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t prove to be handy for you as well. So, were you able to resolve the problem with just a simple force quit or you had to try out radical solutions like restoring and factory reset? It would be great to have your thoughts in the comments section below. Read more: 10 Best Tips to Fix iPhone 14 Pro Camera Shaking Issue
