Instagram Not Working on iPhone? Here’s How to Fix Crashing, Freezing, or Loading Issues

Is Instagram crashing, freezing, or refusing to load on your iPhone? Whether it’s stuck on the loading screen, constantly crashing, or just not refreshing your feed, you’re definitely not the only one dealing with it. The good news? You’ve got plenty of ways to fix it and get scrolling again.

Try the following troubleshooting steps to get Instagram working smoothly again on your iPhone.

Check if Instagram Is Down

Before tweaking anything on your phone, make sure the issue isn’t on Instagram’s end.

Visit Instagram’s status page or check a site like Downdetector.
If Instagram is down for others too, you’ll need to wait until it’s fixed.

Force Close and Reopen the App

Sometimes the fix is as simple as restarting the app.

Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or double-tap the Home button).
Find the Instagram app preview and swipe up to close it.
Reopen Instagram from your Home screen.

Check Your Internet Connection

Poor Wi-Fi or cellular signal can cause Instagram to lag or crash.

Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to refresh your connection.
Restart your router if you’re using Wi-Fi.

A strong, stable connection is crucial for Instagram to work correctly.

Update the Instagram App

Outdated app versions can glitch out with newer iOS updates.

Open the App Store.
Tap your profile icon, scroll down to Instagram, and tap Update if available.

Delete and Reinstall Instagram

If an update doesn’t help, reinstalling gives the app a fresh start.

Tap and hold the Instagram app icon, then tap Remove App > Delete App.
Open the App Store, search for Instagram, and reinstall it.

This clears out corrupted data that may be causing the crash.

Clear App Data and Cache

You can’t directly clear Instagram’s cache on iPhone like on Android, but you can offload the app to wipe cached files.

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Tap Instagram and select Offload App.
Tap Reinstall App afterward.

This keeps your user data intact while cleaning out junk.

Check App Permissions

Instagram needs permission to access your Camera, Microphone, Photos, and more.

Go to Settings > Instagram.
Make sure all required permissions (like Camera and Cellular Data) are turned on.

Update Your iPhone

Sometimes app issues come from outdated iOS software.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Restart Your iPhone

A full reboot often clears out background bugs or memory issues.

Hold down the Power button (and Volume button on Face ID models).
Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.

Reset All Settings (Optional)

If Instagram still won’t cooperate, try resetting your iPhone settings.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

This won’t delete your data but will reset Wi-Fi passwords and preferences.

Factory Reset as a Last Resort

If all else fails, consider a full reset.

Backup your iPhone first via iCloud or Finder/iTunes.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

After the reset, restore your backup and try installing Instagram again.

Contact Instagram Support

Still stuck?

Open the Instagram app > Tap your profile > Tap the three lines.
Go to Settings and Privacy > Help > Report a Problem.

Explain the issue, include screenshots if possible, and submit the report.

Ask a Friend to Test Instagram

Ask someone nearby if Instagram works on their iPhone. If it does, the problem is likely with your phone. If it doesn’t, the issue might be on Instagram’s end.

Remove Problematic Apps

Other apps with bugs or malware can sometimes interfere with Instagram.

Check if other apps are also glitching or crashing.
Uninstall any recently installed or suspicious apps.