Common iPhone Problems and Fixes (US Users)

Smooth operation and seamless integration with other devices makes the iPhone a member of the family to many. However, iPhone users have likely experienced various issues (after an update) that cause your iPhone to run out of battery quickly, drop phone calls, show storage warnings, or run slower than normal. 

Fortunately, the majority of iPhone issues are not a result of hardware failure, but related to software issues, setting issues or caused by wear and tear from months or years of use. 

The troubleshooting article below outlines the most common issues related to iPhones being used by customers in the US, gives insight into why they occur, and outlines very easy solutions to repair your iPhone, regardless of model or version of iOS. 

Rapid Battery Drain After iOS Updates 

iPhone battery drains after an upgrade, particularly older devices, is a common issue. 

What Causes This to Happen? 

• Background Re-indexing After iOS Updates 

• Continuously Running New iOS Features 

• Apps Not Yet Optimized for the New iOS 

• Normal Battery Aging Process 

How Can I Fix My iPhone’s Battery Drainage After Upgrading? 

• Restart Your iPhone Immediately Following an Upgrade 

• Check Application Usage in Settings > Battery 

• Disable Background App Refresh for Non-Important Applications 

• Disable Location Services for Applications That Don’t Need Them 

• Allow for Several Days for System to Re-balance 

• Replace Your Battery if Battery Health is Less Than 80% for Dramatic Improvement in Performance 

iPhone Overheating During Normal Use 

The Issue 

Users frequently report instances of their Apple iPhones overheating while using FaceTime, using GPS or playing video games in addition to charging in warm states like Florida, Texas & Arizona. 

Reasons for this 

The following factors affect how hot your device can get: 

• high-temperature surroundings 

• heavy-duty use such as GPS, recorded video & gaming 

• charging the device while in use 

• poorly designed cases with thick or poor ventilation 

Fixes 

• Take off the case whenever possible while charging or gaming 

• Do not expose your device to direct sunlight 

• Lower the screen brightness; turn off ProMotion and Reboot. 

• Close any unnecessary running applications 

• Stop charging the phone when it feels too hot 

If excessive overheating continues after you have addressed these issues, it may indicate a possible failure of the battery (due to age) or a misbehaving application. 

Weak Signal, Call Drops, and Data Issues 

Issue: Frequent disconnections, LTE signal instability, or both are one of the many primary reasons for frustration with iPhones in the US. The major carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, may still have issues with dropped calls or mobile data instability. 

Reasons for Issue: Carrier congestion, especially in urban areas. Data may not be properly provisioned onto a new device, or the network settings will be incorrect after an iOS update. SIM/eSIM provisioning issues. 

Solutions: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off for 30 seconds. Go to Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset Network Settings. Make sure that your iPhone’s iOS and carrier settings are updated.  

If you live in a weak reception area, try changing your iPhone’s mobile connection from 5G to LTE. Contact your phone service provider to check on local outages. Additionally, if your iPhone is what is referred to as “unlocked”, you may need to manually set up an Access Point Name (APN) to receive the best performance. 

Apps Crashing or Freezing 

The Issue 

Mobile banking software, video-streaming services, or social networking applications will fail, either refusing to start or crashing. 

Reasons 

• Using out-of-date versions of the software 

• IOS-compatibility issues 

• Corrupted data in the application software 

• Insufficient free space on the device 

Repairing the Problem 

• Update apps in the app store 

• Restart the Apple device 

• Remove and reinstall the specific programs that are giving the error 

• Have a minimum of 5-10 GB of free storage on the device 

• Update the Apple device to the latest IOS 

If two or more mobile applications crash, then a systemic problem may be the underlying issue. Localized in the app store). 

iPhone Storage Full Despite Deleting Files 

The Issue 

Users in the U.S. frequently receive an “iPhone Storage Full” notification, regardless of whether they have deleted images or applications. 

What’s Causing It 

• Build-up of cached data 

• Messages containing large media files stored 

• Increasing quantity of system storage data 

Solutions 

• Visit Settings > iPhone Storage to check usage 

• Use iCloud to Optimize Photos 

• Delete outdated message attachments 

• Remove apps that are not being used 

• To remove temporary caches, power cycle the device 

Performing regular checks on storage helps prevent performance degradation. 

Slow Performance and Lag Over Time 

The Issue 

Older models of the iPhone may seem slow due to older equipment. 

Reason for the Issue 

• Older components are unable to handle all of the new iOS features 

• A dirty device that has run out of room will slow things down 

• Older batteries can cause production problems 

The Solution 

• Get rid of unused files (Free Up Storage) 

• Turn off animations (Reduce Motion) 

• Check battery health (Replace Battery if Necessary) 

• Reboot your phone every week 

• Reinstall your iOS software only as a last resort (i.e., If Your Phone Continues to Lag After a Full Restore). 

Replacing the battery will usually restore your phone’s original speed. 

Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting 

The Issue 

A large number of users (as evidenced by Amazon reviews) are experiencing inconsistent Wi-Fi signals at home or work. 

Reasons for the Issue 

• Router compatibility problems 

• Inter-button switching capabilities, which disrupt the Wi-Fi connection. 

• Old firmware on your router. 

Solutions 

• Forget and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. 

• Temporarily exit from using Wi-Fi Assist (if there is at least one other device that uses Wi-Fi Accessible). 

• Restart your Router AND Your iPhone (turn both on and off completely). 

• Update the firmware on your router. 

• If the above steps do not solve the problem, reset the network settings on your iPhone. 

• Configure your mesh Wi-Fi system(s) to work well with Apple devices. 

Bluetooth Issues with Cars and Accessories 

Issue  

Bluetooth pairing problems occur frequently when using CarPlay, AirPods, and other accessories. 

Cause of this Problem 

• Old pairing data 

• Software conflicts from iOS updates 

• Incompatible bluetooth versions 

Solution 

• Delete the accessories from Bluetooth settings 

• Restart both devices 

• Pair the devices again from scratch 

• Update iOS and accessories 

• Reset network settings if necessary 

Older car infotainment systems have a higher likelihood of encountering compatibility issues than newer ones. 

iPhone Not Charging or Charging Slowly 

The Challenge 

Many iPhone users report that the device is receiving a slow amount of power when charging, particularly with fast charging speeds. 

The Cause 

There are several reasons this could occur: 

• The Adapter/Cable May be Damaged 

• The Charging Port is Dirty 

• Optimized Battery Charging – Limiting Charge Speed 

The Solution 

• Use Apple Certified Accessories/MFI Support 

• Clean the charging port with caution 

• Temporarily disable the optimized battery charging feature 

• Do not charge from a laptop or USB Port in a vehicle 

• Turn the power off while you are charging 

If the charging issue persists, it is possible that a new battery is needed. 

iOS Updates Failing to Install 

Problem: You may have issues updating your iOS device, either not downloading, stalling while downloading, or failing to complete an installation. 

Causes: Your device may not have enough available storage space; your Wi-Fi connection may not be strong; the files used in the update may be corrupted. 

Solution  

• Clear space on your device 

• Ensure your Wi-Fi connection is strong 

• Restart and reattempt the update 

• Use your Mac or PC and update using Finder/iTunes 

If you continue to have problems following these suggestions, contact Apple Support. By updating your iOS regularly, you improve its security and stability. 

Face ID or Touch ID Not Working Properly 

The Challenge 

Failure of Biometric Identification (sometimes intermittently) or Biometric Identification stops working. 

Reasons 

• Dirt and/or obstructions on sensors 

• Face changes due to light, glasses or other masks 

• Software error(s) or malfunctioning applications 

Solution  

• Clean sensor area on the Face ID 

• Reset the Face ID or Touch ID 

• Ensure that there are good lighting conditions 

• Reboot the iPhone 

• Update the iPhone(s) iOS 

Most issues associated with Biometric Identification are related to software, not hardware (broken) failure. 

Final Thoughts 

Even though Apple has a strong brand image and reputation, iPhones are highly complex products with many different pieces of software that can affect how they function, as well as the condition of your cellular network and general wear-and-tear on a daily basis. For U.S. customers, however, most problems with your iPhone have simple solutions, most simply require a change to the way you have your settings, clean up unnecessary data from storage, or reboot your phone. 

Although regular iOS updates, responsible usage of available storage, and utilizing regular maintenance of the operating system will help to maximize the life of your iPhone, you should always consider attempting the following troubleshooting techniques before making the decision to replace or repair the device. 

If your iPhone is maintained properly, you should be able to expect smooth operation, reliable connectivity, and durable battery performance for years after you unbox it. 

FAQs  

Refernces: 

iPhone Support