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3 iPhone Apps That Do Nothing But Slow Down Your Device

October 29, 2025 by Abigail Connolly
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One of the most frustrating parts about having an iPhone is when your device starts to slow down on you. However, there’s a specific aspect of your smartphone usage that could be causing that.

When our iPhones begin to slow down and don’t work as well as we’d want them to, we often start to think our phones are broken or that it’s time to update to a new one. However, that isn’t always the case. It could mean that you have too many apps or are frequently using apps that can easily cause your device to run a little slower. Read more about three apps that are likely slowing down your iPhone below.

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1. Netflix

The Netflix app, as well as other show or movie streaming apps, can sometimes slow down your iPhone if it's using too much storage or running in the background. Streaming and downloading shows can take up a lot of space, which makes your device run less smoothly. The app also uses a lot of data and processing power, especially when you're watching in high resolution. Closing the app when you're not using it and clearing downloads can help your iPhone run faster, or you could delete it and reserve Netflix watching for your television versus your phone.

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2. Instagram

Instagram has evolved so much since its beginning, and now loads all sorts of content, from videos to stories, and more. The busy app can slow down your iPhone because it constantly runs in the background and uses a lot of memory. Loading photos, videos, and reels takes up storage and can cause lagging. It also refreshes frequently to update your feed and notifications, putting more strain on your device. Deleting the app's cache or limiting background activity can help improve your iPhone's performance.

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3. YouTube

Like Instagram, YouTube is another one of those apps that's come a long way, and features all sorts of both short and long-form content. However, leaving all that content running frequently can take its toll. The YouTube app can slow down your iPhone if you use it often for long video streaming sessions. Watching high-quality videos requires a lot of processing power and battery life, which can make your phone overheat or lag. The app also stores temporary data and watch history, which can build up and take up extra space over time. Clearing the app's cache and lowering video quality can help your iPhone run more smoothly.

Author:

Editorial Assistant

Abigail is a journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. As an Editorial Assistant for SheFinds, she covers topics ranging from celebrity news and fashion to wellness. She has written for other publications, including Chip Chick, Bandsintown, BroadwayWorld, and more. When she isn't writing, Abigail loves spending time in the city with her friends, being a 'dog mom' to her Chihuahua, and singing along to some of her favorite music.

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