Slow iPhone? Turn These 3 Settings Off ASAP, Experts Say

1. Background App Refresh

The Background App Refresh setting refreshes your content in the background when you’re not using the app. This means the second you click on an app like Instagram or Facebook, all of the most updated, freshest content is right there waiting for you at the top — with no need to wait for new updates.

But this convenience comes at a price: the setting consumes processing power and uses RAM, which can slow down your device. To turn off the setting, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn this setting off or select Wi-Fi.

2. Screen Brightness

A too-bright iPhone screen can indirectly cause throttle performance, which slows down the device’s CPU and GPU. But the big reason why an overly bright screen can mess with your phone is that it takes up a lot more battery power, and this can make it more difficult to maintain a phone charge for longer periods of time. To control your iPhone screen brightness, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > drag the brightness slider down.

3. Location Services

Location Services allows apps to use GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to find your location. This can be helpful for apps such as Maps and Weather, but also means your phone is working more in the background than it needs to, and this can slow down your device. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Here you have the option of turning off Location Services completely or setting it to different settings depending on the app. For example, you can set it to Never, Ask Next Time, While Using the App, or Always.