How to Fix iPhone Touch Screen Lagging after iOS 14/15/16 Update

As soon as Apple iOS 16/15 version came, many users installed the new version in a rush without realizing that the first realse of big iOS version or beta version often has lots of issues. And now they are left searching like- "why is my iPhone lagging all of a sudden." Well, we might have the correct answer to their question, along with solutions for the problem.

In this guide, we'll focus on the iPhone touch screen lagging issue and what we can do to fix it immediately. Let's explore the most effective way to ensure that your iPhone doesn't lag.

Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Lagging

The first step to resolve such issues is to understand "why is my iPhone lagging and freezing." Once you have the answer to this question, it'll be easier to narrow down the methods to fix it. The common reason for a device lag includes:

  • Excess of junk files
  • Storage running out
  • Corrupted data
  • Outdated Software
  • Background apps
  • Software bugs
  • Hardware damage

A lagging iPhone means that the performance is degrading due to any of the above reasons. To tackle this problem, we've narrowed down the fixes that are worth a try.

Part 2: How to Fix iPhone Lagging after iOS 14/15/16 Update

Here is the list of solutions that will be able to help you to resolve the touch screen lagging and freezing issues in different iOS models.

Solution 1. Close All Background Apps

The first thing we'll check out is if the iPhone 7 lagging and freezing due to apps running in the background. When you leave multiple apps open at the same time, they often cause lag as you switch between the apps. And if any of those suspended application will crash, all other apps will suffer the consequences.

For iPhone with Home Button:

Double-click on the home button, and the recent app screen will open up that will display apps running in the background.

For iPhone without Home Button:

The iPhone without the home button has a Gesture feature that will allow you to access the recent app screen. Just slide your finger from the bottom of the screen in an upward direction and pause in the middle.

close background apps to fix iphone lagging

Swipe up to close the applications one by one and see closing which one application fix the lagging. If the same thing happens again when you use that particular app, then the intelligent thing to do is to remove the app from your iPhone.

Solution 2. Force Reboot Your iPhone That Is Lagging and Freezing

Using force reboot method is also useful if your iPhone 11 is lagging and freezing. No matter what model you own, a forced reboot will fix the minor software-related issues.

If you have iPhone 8 and later models, start by pressing the Volume up button then volume down button quickly. After that, hold the Side button and let it go when the Apple icon pops up.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, use the Volume down and Power button. Press them and hold until the Apple icon appears.

In older models of iPhone such as iPhone 6 and earlier, use the combination of Power and Home button. Press and let go of the button when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

force reboot iphone to fix iphone 7 lagging

Once the device reboots, check if it is still lagging or freezing while using some particular apps.

Solution 3. Install Available App Updates

The iPhone touch screen lagging issue is a common symptom of pending updates for the application. The regular app updates are meant to fix patches and enhance security to the respective apps. So, make sure that you update them.

  1. Step 1: Go to App Store and scroll to the bottom to find the Updates option. The list of app for which updates are pending will appear under the option.

    install app updates on iphone

  2. Step 2: Tap on Update All option and wait as all apps are updated.

After the updates, reboot your iPhone and see if the problem is rectified.

Solution 4. Free Up Some Space

Another common reason why your iPhone 7 is lagging and freezing is insufficient memory. If the storage space is running out, there won't be enough space left to hold data, and your device will start to misbehave. Freeing up space can be done by deleting multimedia files and other data that you don't need. Most importantly, remove the unnecessary apps to free space.

  1. Step 1: Hold the app icon that you want to delete from the home screen, and all apps will start wiggling. A cross "X" icon will also appear on every app icon.
  2. Step 2: Tap on the cross and confirm to Delete the app from your device.

    delete apps to fix iphone lagging and freezing

Removing an app will also erase the corresponding data that will free up enough space to get rid of the lagging and performance issues.

Note: To uninstall and remove unnecessary applications and files in bulk, and one click to export iPhone photos and videos to computer, you can use UltFone iOS Data Manager. It is very useful when you plan to upragde to iOS 16/15.

Solution 5. Disable Background App Refresh Feature

While this feature is designed to help the users, it often ends up in an iPhone touch screen lagging issue. Not only the app continues to access the internet, but it refreshes the content in the background. If you disable the feature, you won't even notice much difference, but it will help improve the response time of the touch screen.

  • How to do: Launch Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle the bar to turn off the feature if it's on.

    disable background app refresh

Exit settings and close the recent apps to see if this method works out.

Solution 6. Downgrade from iOS 16/15 to iOS 15/14

The most appropriate thing to recommend at this point when the iPhone is lagging after iOS 16 update is a downgrade. The ideal thing to do is to remove the beta version, which has bugs, and go back to the stable iOS 13.7. You can use UltFone iOS System Repair software to ease up the task and eradicate all software related problems. It will put your device in recovery mode, exit the mode, perform system repair, and factory reset as well.

 
   
 
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Here's the step-by-step guide:

  • Step 1 The first thing to do is to create a backup of your device. Connect your iPhone with iTunes and save the backup on the computer.

    backup iphone ios 15

  • Step 2 Now, get UltFone on your system and launch it. Choose the Repair iOS System function and use Deep Repair Mode to start the process.

    downgrade from ios 15 beta

  • Step 3 The software detects the firmware version and provides you a package file to download. Make sure that you have a fast and stable internet connection to download the file.

    download ios 14 firmware package

  • Step 4 Hit the Repair Now button and wait as UltFone repair your system software. After repair, your device will reboot, and it will start function normally.

    remove ios 15 beta from iphone successfully

Now, you've successfully downgraded iOS 16, and the lagging and freezing issue is also resolved.

NOTE

All your data and settings will be erased after iOS 16/15 downgrade. You can then restore iPhone from previously backed up file. You can follow this video guide to know how to perform iOS 16/15 downgrade without data loss.

Solution 7. Factory Reset iPhone

At last, if you don't see any option that can fix the iPhone X lagging and freezing issue, then it's time to perform a factory reset. It will erase all data and settings to ensure that corrupted data or settings aren’t the cause of the lag.

  1. Step 1: Open the iPhone Settings app, and head to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

    erase all content and settings

Confirm the erase by entering your device passcode if prompted and set up your iPhone as new.

Solution 8. Recovery Mode Restore iPhone via iTunes

In case your iPhone screen is lagging, we can try restoring the iPhone using iTunes. Some errors can withstand the initial methods, even the factory reset. Hence, we need to perform a recovery mode restore on the iPhone.

  1. Step 1: Start by getting the latest iTunes version on your computer and plugging your iPhone with it. Here is a guide to teach how to enter recovery mode on different iPhone models.
  2. Step 2: Connect to iTunes logo will appear on the iPhone screen, and iTunes will notify that a device in recovery mode is detected.

    restore iPhone

Select the Restore option and wait as the task finishes. Soon, you will have an iPhone that works without any lag or freeze.

The Bottom Line

Now, we all know the answer to "why is my iPhone lagging and freezing" and what we can do to fix it. Trying these methods will undoubtedly fix the issues you've been facing after iOS 16/15/14 update. But don't worry, whatever software related problem you experience, UltFone iOS System Repair can fix them all. Tell your friends about this guide to help them, as well.

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