In mobile devices, the operating system serves as the framework or skeletal system while apps serve as significant organs or key components that make the entire system intact. Without apps, your phone would be useless. The same thing goes with apps that are not working on your phone. Problems and errors are inevitable when it comes to mobile applications. Even Apple’s new iPhone 7 Plus is no exemption.
Among the first problems encountered by some owners of this new iPhone in terms of apps usage would include error in downloading apps, unable to update apps, random apps crashes, as well as unresponsive or frozen apps. These issues have affected either third-party or built-in apps on the iPhone. Other users have also raised an issue in which they are getting an error prompt saying, “slide to update” while attempting to update an application. When this error prompt appears, they couldn’t do anything as the display becomes unresponsive. Some of these issues have manifested after installing the latest update to iOS on their iPhone 7 Plus.
This post highlights the possible causes and potential solutions to various apps problems and errors affecting the new iPhone 7 Plus device. Thus, if you happen to land into this page while searching for help in dealing with pertinent issue on the same iPhone, then feel free to refer to this content.
Possible causes of Apps problems on the iPhone 7 Plus
Several factors can trigger an app to malfunction at certain instance. An app can go rogue when it gets corrupted. Software glitches or bugs can also trigger apps to misbehave. Other cases of apps malfunction and errors are linked to network problems, insufficient memory and worse, hardware damage. For hardware damage, you have no other choice but to seek aid from iPhone technicians so as to fix the problem. Here’s how each of these factors could cause an iPhone app to encounter problems and errors.
Corrupt files / apps
Just like computer programs mobile apps can also get corrupted due to various reasons. Incorrect settings configuration is among the triggers. Downloading of corrupt contents and files online can also inflict the same problem or errors to any app on the iPhone. Virus and malware are also among the culprits that can get files corrupted. Corrupted files are erroneous contents that are inoperable. Thus when an iPhone app becomes corrupted, you won’t be able to use it. Often times, corrupted files can be remedied by a reboot on the device but in other cases, corrupted files could not be recovered.
Network problems
A key requisite in getting apps updates is an active network connectivity. You need to establish a stable connection with the apps server in order to process download requests. Without a stable or active network connection, most likely you will be prompted with pertinent errors and won’t be able to proceed with new apps or updates download and installation. Among the errors you’ll see when attempting to download or install app or apps update while network problems occur would include Waiting error, Slide to Update error, and App Update Failed error. Be sure to take note of the error message that shows up as they too contain some hints for you to resolve the underlying cause on your end.
Software glitches and bugs
As mentioned earlier software bugs and glitches can cause an app to become inoperable and malfunction temporarily or permanently. This is likely the case when an iPhone app suddenly becomes erratic after installing apps update or adding new files or contents in it. Random apps crashes, failure to load or not working apps are common indicators of software glitches and bugs affecting the iPhone system.
Memory issues
There are also other cases where an iPhone app begins to show adverse symptoms due to memory issues. Some apps may tend to perform very slow or sluggish, prompting errors, keeps crashing, or restarts by itself simply as the device runs short of internal storage space. While this isn’t likely the case on your end given that what you have is a new device that sports high storage capacity, it’s also worth to consider memory problems among the possible causes.
Faulty hardware
It may sound so bizarre but there are also some very rare cases where an application tends to become unusable because of hardware damage. You might think that the software is to blame but actually the main issue lies within the hardware. For example, the iPhone camera may not work because some components of the camera are damaged. This is possible especially if there were prior instances of dropping or liquid exposure on the iPhone.
If you are certain that the problem is not caused by hardware damage, then you may go ahead and give any of the subsequent solutions and workarounds a try to see what happens. Some iPhone users who have dealt with the same issues were able to fix them by performing these troubleshooting procedures. Hence you might as well try your luck before escalating the problem to Apple Support.
Possible Solutions and Workarounds to deal with app problems and errors
One way to obtain a quick fix is to identify the main cause of the problem beforehand. For example, if the app started to show adverse behaviours after making changes to certain app settings or options, try to revert the changes and see what happens. It’s possible that the recent changes you’ve made are incorrect and thereby triggered an app error to manifest. However, if you couldn’t possibly determine what exactly has happened before the onset of the problem, then you may proceed with a trial-and-error approach in troubleshooting apps issues and errors on your iPhone 7 Plus.
The following solutions are comprised of standard/generic procedures and user-defined workarounds used to deal with various apps problems on an iPhone. Be sure to test the app after completing each suggested method to determine whether or not the problem has been fixed. Otherwise, proceed to the next applicable solution available.
Method 1: Quit and restart the erratic app on your iPhone 7 Plus
Often times, minor glitches or bugs transpiring in mobile apps vanished in their own while others would require user interventions. This denotes a need for you to do something so as to correct what’s gone wrong and fix the problem. Among the first standard solutions applicable to this situation is an app restart. As the method implies, you will need to quit or close the faulty app and then open it again after a few seconds. Doing so will likely eliminate corrupted files that might have triggered the app to malfunction suddenly.
For starters, here is how to properly restart an erratic/faulty app on your iPhone 7 Plus:
- Double-press the Home button or 3D Touch on the left side of your iPhone 6s. Doing so will bring up the fast app switcher.
- Navigate to the app’s preview screen you want to quit.
- Swipe up on the app’s preview screen then flick it up and off the screen to shut down.
Symptoms like apps crashes and random stalls are most likely rectified by this process. Unresponsive apps as well as those that suddenly stop sending and receiving data like email app, music app, and Safari browser can also be fixed be remedied by doing the same procedure.
Method 2: Reboot your iPhone 7 Plus
If the an app restart won’t be able to fix the problem, the next suggested solution would be a reboot on the iPhone. This process is also referred to as soft reset. It is deemed the simplest yet most effective solution in dealing with minor issues that are associated with software malfunctions. You may have done it already but consider giving it another try and see how it works this time.
Follow these steps to perform a soft reset on your iPhone 7 Plus:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears.
- Drag the slider to power off your iPhone completely.
- After a few seconds, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears.
In case the app is frozen and makes your iPhone unresponsive as well, performing a force restart might be necessary. A force restart is an alternative solution if a standard restart is not possible to carry out. Similar to a standard restart, a force restart won’t erase any data from your device, thus it’s considered a safe process.
- To perform a force restart on your iPhone 7 Plus, press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button and the Volume Down button simultaneously for at least 10 seconds and then release both the buttons when the Apple logo appears.
Your iPhone will then reboot.
Method 3: Uninstall and then re-install faulty app
Some iPhone users were able to deal with app errors by uninstalling the faulty app and then re-installing it on their device. This method however is only applicable to apps that can be uninstalled. Others iPhone apps particularly built-in or stock apps (mostly) cannot be removed from the system. In this case, you may try to disable and then re-enable the app. Clearing data can also help eradicate any corrupted file that is causing the app to suddenly misbehave or malfunction.
Here’s how to delete or uninstall an app on your iPhone 7 Plus:
- From the Home screen, lightly press and hold the app until you see it jiggles. When it does, tap the option to delete. Be sure not to use too much force when pressing the app icon because doing so will trigger the 3D Touch options to appear.
- Alternatively, you can head over to your iPhone Settings-> General-> Storage-> Manage Storage. From there you can locate the option to view apps details or delete apps from your iPhone system.
Method 5: Restore iOS
The problem can be a post update issue, which is possibly resolve by an iOS restore. This can be a possible solution especially when the app errors occur after updating iOS to the latest version. It can be an indication of an iOS bug messing up the iPhone’s normal operation or entire platform. This is one of the reasons as to why it is highly recommended to backup your device prior to installing updates.
An iOS restore however will erase all data stored in your iPhone including current settings and contents. If you’re willing to take your chances, then you may go ahead and do an iOS restore. Otherwise, wait until Apple will release a new iOS update containing fix to certain bugs.
You can restore your iPhone 7 Plus through iTunes. Doing so will require you to secure a computer either Mac or Windows PC that runs the latest version of iTunes. Once you’ve got everything ready, connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable and wait until iTunes recognizes it. Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the iOS restore process using the iTunes controls.
Method 6: Update iOS
Consider this method among the possible solutions should you suspect that the problem is triggered by a software bug and you still haven’t updated your iPhone OS to the latest version available. There is a higher chance that the latest iOS version integrates a fix for existing bugs that caused certain application to malfunction on the iPhone.
- To check for available software update on your iPhone 7 Plus, go to Settings-> General-> About-> Software Update. You will see a notification if an update is available. When you’re ready, select the option to Download and Install in order to proceed with the iOS update implementation.
Method 7: Factory reset your iPhone 7 Plus
This is your last resort if the problem persists and that you would wish to troubleshoot further. As the name implies, a factory reset will erase or wipe all contents stored on your iPhone and then restore it to factory defaults. The entire process could take longer depending on the number of contents you have.
Before you proceed, be sure to backup your iPhone either through iTunes or iCloud. Also ensure that you have sign out of iCloud beforehand. Failure to do so will result to your iPhone being stuck in Activation Lock after the reset.
- If necessary, sign out of iCloud by going to Settings-> iCloud-> Sign Out or Settings-> [Your Name]-> Sign Out. Menu options may vary depending on the iOS 10 version your iPhone is running on. For example, menu options in iOS 10.2 are different from menu options in iOS 10.3.
You may opt to perform a factory reset through your iPhone settings menu or via iTunes.
Through iPhone Settings Menu:
- To factory reset through iPhone settings, heading over to Settings-> General-> Reset-> Erase All Contents and Settings.
- Wait for the iPhone to complete the entire reset process. Once the reset is complete, you’ll get your iPhone running in factory default settings.
Through iTunes:
To factory reset using iTunes, follow these standard steps:
- Open iTunes on the computer.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
- Wait for iTunes to detect or recognize your iPhone.
- If prompted, enter the passcode for your iPhone or select the option to Trust this computer.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to proceed.
- Select your iPhone 7 Plus from the list of available devices in iTunes.
- Navigate to the Summary section in iTunes.
- Click the option to Restore and set up your iPhone as new.
Wait until your iPhone is completely restored to factory defaults.
Problem-specific Solutions
Pick and try any of these solutions, which you might think applicable to your situation.
Apps problems: Waiting error and Slide to Update error
Recommended Solution: These error prompts usually appear when you’re attempting to update or download an application on your iPhone. They are often caused by network problems or unstable network connection. Your device attempts to connect to the app server but could not go through because the network connection is very slow, unstable or intermittent. Should this be the case, here’s what you can do:
- Delete the app that is currently installing.
- To do so, hold on the stuck app until it jiggles. When it does, tap the option to Delete or X icon.
Wait until the network gets stable and then re-install the app from the App Store.
Or you can also try to update or install the app through iTunes Sync option. Just connect your iPhone to a computer, open iTunes then follow the rest of the onscreen prompts to complete the app update or installation.
Apps problems associated with memory errors or insufficient memory
Recommended Solution: If an app is not working properly and you’re getting an error prompt telling something about memory issues or errors, then most likely the memory is to blame.
- You can check the memory status of your iPhone by going to Settings-> General-> Usage.
From there you can view and evaluate details of your iPhone’s current storage including the percentage used and free space.
Seek More Help
If none of the aforesaid solutions and workarounds is able to fix the app error or problem on your iPhone 7 Plus, then at this point you should consider escalating the problem to the Apple Support or your carrier for further assistance and recommendations.