The Mega-Guide to Fixing Your Own iPhone

Apple’s iPhones are some of the best smartphones you can buy, but no device is perfect. Things can and do go wrong with these powerful pocket-size computers. Tracking down the correct iPhone fix can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But don’t let it get you down. Before you give up on your malfunctioning iPhone, have a look through our troubleshooting guide.

We start with basic fixes that usually alleviate the most common iPhone problems you’ll encounter, then dig into some slightly more complex and specific issues. Hopefully, our step-by-step instructions and advice will get you back on track. Whether it’s a software bug, a hardware problem, or a mystery glitch, we've got advice for you. Before you start tinkering around, here’s how to back up your iPhone so you don’t lose anything.

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The familiar refrain of the IT pro has become something of a joke, but the fact remains that turning devices off and on again really does fix problems sometimes. It is the first thing you should try for a wide range of iPhone issues. Here’s how:

Many iPhone problems are caused by out-of-date software, so it’s worth checking to ensure you have the latest iOS version and that your apps are up to date. If you find that a particular iPhone app keeps crashing or freezing, an update will often resolve your issue. Here’s how:

Sometimes your iPhone doesn’t respond, or the touchscreen freezes up, making it impossible to turn off the regular way. If this happens to you, it’s time to try what Apple calls a force restart. Here’s how to do it on most modern iPhones, from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone 13: