This content is purposely created to help those who are experiencing post-iOS update issue on the #Apple iPhone 6 Plus (#iPhone6Plus), in which the device, as well as some apps keep crashing or freezing after iOS 9.3 installation. For the sake of those who are new to the iOS interface, I have explicated even the simplest applicable method in configuring options and settings on the phone. Learn how to get your iPhone back up and running smoothly with these few recommended workarounds.
Apple’s iOS 9.3 firmware update was originally aimed at making iDevices perform better and smarter with embedded enhanced features and functions, promising every user with an even better mobile device experience. It also integrates patches to fix certain bugs that came along with prior iOS versions installed on the device.
While other iDevice owners who have gone for an upgrade have obtained prominent results, others have suffered from flaws. And one of these problems is what I am trying to address in this post.
Read on to learn what needs to be done should your iPhone 6 Plus or apps keep crashing after getting the iOS 9.3 firmware update.
Possible Cause
The root-cause of this bug is still unclear but it’s inevitable for software updates to cause a device to perform slowly, freeze, shows error messages, turns off or restarts unexpectedly. This is more likely due to hardware or software incompatibility issue like some third-party apps installed on the iPhone may not be compatible with the latest iOS structure and thereby causing conflicts and glitches to the entire phone system. As a result, your phone would start to act weird or worst, gets bricked.
Reporting post-update issues is highly recommended but before you do so, you can still try some workarounds and attempt to fix the problem by yourself while waiting for an official fix patch from Apple through the next software rollout.
Potential Solutions and Workarounds
To ensure the problem is not due to a bad battery, be sure to first check and calibrate your battery. Make sure the battery is fine. If it is and the problem persists, you may then proceed with these potential solutions.
The following workarounds can also be used to deal with a relevant issue with the iPhone 6 Plus, in which the device freezes or unexpectedly reboots when tapping links in Safari and other apps after the iOS 9.3 update.
Step 1. Perform a soft reset or force restart your iPhone.
Just like any other electronic devices, your iPhone needs an occasional reboot to help keep it running smooth. This is a very simple workaround that has been widely used to deal with various issues on the software, either minor or major glitches.
To perform a soft reset or reboot your iPhone, just hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the slider appears. Select the option to power off. Wait for a few seconds and then press the Sleep/Wake button to turn your iPhone back on. A soft reset will not erase any of your content or data from your iPhone thus, it’s a safe process.
If you cannot reboot your iPhone using the usual method, then you can perform a force restart instead. To do so, hold the Power (Sleep/Wake) button and the Home button simultaneously for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo shows up on screen.
Note: If the problem remains after a first reboot, then try rebooting your iPhone again (5 times utmost). Sometimes, it would take more than one reboot for your device to get back up and running normally after installing a new firmware update.
Step 2. Reset all settings.
As the name implies, resetting all settings will restore your iPhone settings to factory defaults including your preferences for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Privacy, and other settings. All apps, email accounts, messages, and data will remain intact but the settings are reset.
To reset all settings on your iPhone 6 Plus, head on to Settings->General->Reset->and finally, tap the button to Reset All Settings. You may need to tap the button twice to confirm action. Once the process is complete, your iPhone will reboot.
Step 3. Uninstall faulty apps.
If the problem starts after installing a third-party app with iOS 9.3 platform on your device, you may temporarily disable or delete the faulty app(s) and then reboot your iPhone. It’s also possible that one of the recent apps you’ve installed is causing you this trouble. So try to recall which apps you’ve recently installed before the onset of the problem.
Step 4. Turn Cellular or Mobile Data on and off.
This may sound strange but others who have encountered similar problem in which the iPhone suddenly crashes and restarts by its own, were able to obtain temporary fix with this workaround. If you’re up to giving this method a try, then head on to Settings -> Cellular -> and then tap Cellular Data to turn it ON. Reboot your iPhone and after the reboot, turn Cellular Data off again.
Step 5. Update to the latest iOS version — iOS 9.3.3
As most carriers suggest, be sure to update your iPhone to the most recent software version available. To date, the latest iOS version available is 9.3.3. This is reportedly the last version before Apple will instigate a new major firmware update rollout to iPhones and iPads — the iOS 10. Similar to other patches, the iOS 9.3.3 also contains performance enhancements and bug fixes. So you might as well take your chances and see what this newest iOS 9 patch can do to your device.
Step 6. Perform a DFU mode update/restore.
A DFU mode is a special state where your phone is able to communicate with iTunes without it fully turned on. The iTunes program will attempt to preserve your settings and contents while performing an update or restoring your iPhone through DFU mode.
Here’s how to perform a DFU mode update or restore on your iPhone 6 Plus:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer using the OEM or Apple-provided USB cable. Make sure the computer is running the latest iTunes version.
- While your iPhone is connected, press and hold the Power and Home buttons
- Release both keys when you see the iTunes logo, arrow, and lightning cable on the screen.
- You will then be prompted to either Restore or Update your iPhone through iTunes. Select Update to proceed with a firmware update, or Restore to restore from a backup. If you got lucky, things should be back to normal after the process.
Selecting the Restore option will erase all settings and contents from your device. That said, be sure to back up your device before you proceed.
Additional Tips
Also ensure your iPhone has sufficient memory. Often times, a phone starts to misbehave like it freezes or restarts unexpectedly because its memory is already getting low.
To check memory status of your iPhone, go to Settings -> General-> Usage-> and then review the memory status details. If your phone has low memory, then most likely it’s the culprit and that denotes you need to deal with low memory issue first.
If you think you’ve already done every means available to get your iPhone 6 Plus fixed but to no avail, then your next option is to contact your carrier or Apple Support to escalate the issue and ask for other available options and recommendations.
Engage with Us
We are here to help! Should you need further assistance in dealing with other issues on your iPhone or other iDevices, you may do so by filling up this form available in our iPhone Troubleshooting Page. Simply fill up the form with all the required information and then submit it to us. We would appreciate if you could provide us with all significant details including error codes, warning messages, or any other prompts you may get, as they will help us determine what has possibly gone wrong with your device and what needs to be done in order to fix it. The more information we obtain, the easier for us to come up with a more precise and efficient solution and recommendations for you to try on. You may also browse for more solutions to other iDevice issues we’ve previously addressed through dedicated contents posted in our troubleshooting pages.