iPhone not working after an update? Don't panic—yet

💡 Quick answer: Your iPhone probably isn’t broken—the update just hasn’t settled in yet, and plenty of “broken” apps only need their own update. Restart it, check for a patch, update your apps, then reset your settings (not your data).

🧰 Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆ • ⏱ DIY time: 30 minutes

⚠️ Risk level: Low, as long as you skip Erase All Content and Settings.

⚙️ Stuck on the Apple logo or restarting? Pop in a nearby uBreakiFix® by Asurion for expert help.

Your iPhone just got an iOS update, and now it's freezing, running slow, or crashing apps. Annoying? Absolutely. A sign you need a new phone? Probably not.

We see post-update issues like these in our stores all the time, and they're usually software-related. Sometimes an app hasn't caught up yet. Sometimes the update itself needs a patch. And older phones can take a little longer to settle into new software.

Here's what we'd try first, what each fix can tell you, and when the problem deserves a closer look.

Why is my iPhone not working after an update?

iPhones act up after updates because updates change how the system runs, and sometimes a bug slips through. The usual suspects:

• A bug in the update itself. These typically get patched in a follow-up release.
• Apps that haven't caught up. Apps built for the old software can misbehave until their developers update them.
• An older iPhone. Newer software can be a lot to ask of older hardware.
• An install that didn't finish properly. Occasionally the update process doesn't complete cleanly.

Permanent damage isn't on that list. The wait for a fix can feel painfully long, but that's not the same as a ruined phone.

How to fix an iPhone that's not working after an update

Work through these in order. They go from least to most involved, and none of them touch your data.

1. Restart your iPhone

On an iPhone X or later, press and hold either volume button and the Side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. On an iPhone 8 or earlier, press and hold the Side button instead.

2. Force restart if it's frozen

On an iPhone 8 or later, quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. That can take longer than 10 seconds, so keep holding.

3. Check for another iOS update

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is listed, tap Download and Install. Back up your iPhone first, and plug it in and connect to Wi-Fi.

4. Update your apps

Open the App Store, tap your profile picture, tap App Updates, then tap Update next to an app or Update All.

5. Reset your settings, not your data

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Your photos, messages, and apps stay put, but you'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi, re-pair Bluetooth devices, and set up Face ID again. Skip Erase All Content and Settings. That one wipes the phone, and you don't need it yet.

The results narrow things down:

• If a restart fixes it, you were dealing with a hiccup between old and new software.
• If a new iOS update fixes it, the first release had a bug, and the patch took care of it.
• If updating apps fixes it, the apps were the problem, not the phone.
• If resetting settings fixes it, a setting didn't carry over cleanly during the update.
• If nothing changes, jump to the section on when to bring it in.

Why are my apps crashing after an iOS update?

Apps crash after an iOS update when they haven't been updated to work with the new software. If the problem is limited to specific apps—crashing on launch, freezing, acting odd—open the App Store, tap your profile picture, tap App Updates, and update them. If an app still misbehaves after that, its developer may not have released a compatible update yet, and a few days of patience is the right call. Think of it as the app's problem, not your phone's.

Why is my iPhone slow after an update?

An iPhone gets slow after an update most often because it's an older model running newer software. Older phones can feel laggy or glitchy while they work harder to keep up. A restart and any pending app updates are the first things to try. If only certain apps are slow, the app update is your fix.

What if my iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo or restarting after an update?

A slow, glitchy, or app-crashing iPhone is almost always a minor software issue. Three symptoms are different:

• The iPhone won't turn on at all.
• It's stuck on the Apple logo.
• The iPhone keeps restarting or turning itself off and on.

Any of these means there could be something else going that a few settings tweaks may not fix.

When to take your iPhone to a pro

If you've restarted, force restarted, updated, and reset your settings, and the phone is still stuck on the logo or restarting in a loop, home troubleshooting has run its course. Getting past a failed update typically means connecting the phone to a computer and putting it into recovery mode, where one small misstep can end with an erased phone. That's worth leaving to someone with the right tools who knows which option your situation calls for.

Bring your iPhone to your nearest uBreakiFix by Asurion store, and we'll take it from there. We'll diagnose what's actually going on and walk you through the repair and cost before any work begins, so you can decide what makes sense. Most phone repairs are completed the same day, so you may not be without your phone for long.

FAQ

Will resetting my iPhone settings delete my data?

No. Reset All Settings returns settings to their defaults, and your photos, messages, apps, and documents stay. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi, re-pair Bluetooth devices, and set up Face ID again. Avoid Erase All Content and Settings, which does wipe the phone.

Is my iPhone permanently broken after an update?

Not likely. Software issues can generally be patched, and many disappear after a restart, an app update, or the next iOS release. It can feel permanent while you wait, but it usually isn't.

How do I know if it's a minor software issue or something that needs repair?

A slow or glitchy phone, or one with crashing apps, is usually a minor software issue. A phone that won't turn on, hangs on the Apple logo, or keeps restarting may need a deeper repair or a software restoration.

Should I wait for the next iOS update before doing anything?

It's worth checking Settings > General > Software Update first, since a patch may already be out. If your phone is frozen or won't respond, don't wait. Try a force restart.

Do I need to erase my iPhone to fix problems after an update?

No. Start with a restart, an update check, app updates, and Reset All Settings. You don't need to erase your data for any of those.

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