If your iPhone 7 Plus started crashing or freezing after updating to iOS 11.3 or 11.3.1, you’re definitely not the only one. Updates are meant to improve your phone, but sometimes they introduce unexpected bugs. While waiting for a future patch from Apple, here are some effective ways you can troubleshoot the issue on your own.
Force Restart Your iPhone
A quick force restart can resolve minor firmware crashes and unfreeze a stuck phone.
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together.
- Keep holding for 15–20 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
- Release both buttons.
This won’t delete any data — it’s just a safe way to reset your phone’s software.
Close All Background Apps and Reboot
A misbehaving background app might be causing your system to lag or freeze.
- Double-press the Home button to open the App Switcher.
- Swipe up on each app to force close them all.
- Restart your iPhone when you’re done.
This helps free up memory and eliminate any conflicts.
Reset All Settings
If the update changed some system settings that are now causing conflicts, a settings reset can help.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode when prompted.
- Confirm to reset.
This won’t delete your data, but it will reset preferences like Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and display settings.
Check Your Storage
If your iPhone is running low on storage after the update, that can slow it down or make it crash.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Review what’s using space.
- Delete large or unused apps, old photos, or messages.
You can also tap Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage to see a breakdown and free up more room.
Factory Reset or Restore Using iTunes
If your iPhone is still crashing, a full restore might be needed. This will erase everything, so make sure to back up your data first.
Option 1: Factory Reset via Settings (if phone is responsive)
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Follow the prompts to reset and set up your iPhone as new.
Option 2: Restore with iTunes (if phone is frozen or stuck)
- Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes.
- Force restart your phone to enter Recovery Mode (follow steps in solution #1 but keep holding until you see the iTunes or computer icon).
- In iTunes, choose Update or Restore.
Still stuck? Try DFU Mode — it’s the deepest restore you can do. If you need a step-by-step for that, let me know.
Still Having Issues? Get Help
If your iPhone 7 Plus continues to freeze or crash after trying all the above steps, it might be time to:
- Contact Apple Support for advanced diagnostics.
- Visit a Genius Bar to check for hardware issues.
- Report the bug so Apple can prioritize a fix in the next iOS update.