Updated: This post has been updated since it originally published on October 24, 2019.
If your iPhone is running a lot slower than usual, there could be several things to blame. The first, and one of the more expensive reasons, is also the least likely: it’s possible you may need a new battery. But before we jump to that conclusion, and especially if your phone is relatively new or you’ve replaced your iPhone battery (OR you are just sure as day that isn’t the reason for a slow-as-a-snail phone), it’s time to take a look at the settings you have installed (or not installed) on your phone.
Specifically, these are the four settings that Apple employees say make your iPhone run SO slowly and you should change right now. In most cases the solutions are simple and will barely take up your time. And the payoff is worth it: a phone that runs so much faster and smoother.
Turn on reduce motion
The animated visual effects on iOS are cool, admits Tech Expert Luciano Colos from PitchGrade.com — but they’re also great at using up precious resources. “To turn off these parallax effects and speed up your iPhone, go to “Settings” > “Accessibility” > “Motion” and turn on “Reduce Motion,’” Colos says.
Disable low power mode
When your iPhone runs low on battery, it automatically enables Low Power Mode to extend its battery life, according to Colos. However, this mode also slows down some tasks on your device. To disable Low Power Mode, go to “Settings” > “Battery” and turn the feature off.
Turn off automatic downloads and updates
“Your iPhone may be working behind the scenes to download and install updates and new apps, using up system resources and slowing down your device,” Colos says. “To turn off automatic downloads and updates, go to “Settings” > “App Store” and toggle off “App Updates,” “App Downloads,” and ‘Automatic Downloads.’”
Change new Mail fetch settings
The Mail app continuously uses system resources to fetch new emails from the server, which can slow down your iPhone, according to Colos. “To change the mail settings, go to “Settings” > “Mail” > “Accounts” > “Fetch New Data” and select “Manually” or choose a longer fetch interval.”
Another really important tip is to always make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of a software program. Not keeping up to date with changes can not only slow down your device, but also make you more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Follow these steps to ensure you’re running the most current software:
1. Tap the Settings app.
2. Tap “General” and then tap “Software Update.”
3. Make sure that “Automatic Updates is set to “On.”
4. If there is an update waiting to be installed, you can install it now.
You don’t have to settle for a slow phone. Make these quick changes and take on a few good iPhone settings habits to ensure your device stays up to speed.
