If your iPhone 8 suddenly started freezing, lagging, or randomly restarting after installing an iOS update, you’re not alone. These types of post-update performance issues can be incredibly frustrating—especially when they show up on a device that was working perfectly just days ago.
Here are the best ways to troubleshoot and fix your iPhone 8 when it starts slowing down or freezing after a software update.
1. Soft Reset or Force Restart Your iPhone
Start simple. A quick reboot can clear cached files and minor glitches.
If your screen is responsive:
- Press and hold the Side/Power button until you see “Slide to Power Off.”
- Drag the slider to turn off.
- Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold Side/Power again to turn it back on.
If your screen is frozen:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
2. Update All Apps
Some apps may misbehave after a new iOS version is installed, especially if they haven’t been updated for compatibility.
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon, then scroll down to see available app updates.
- Tap Update All.
Outdated apps are a common source of slowdowns and crashes.
3. Check iPhone Storage
Low storage can cause system instability, lag, and crashes—even on newer devices.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Review what’s using space and delete anything unnecessary like old apps, large videos, or duplicate photos.
- Don’t forget to empty the Recently Deleted folder in Photos.
Aim to keep at least 2–5 GB of free space for smooth performance.
4. Reset All Settings
If the update changed certain system preferences and caused conflicts, a full settings reset can help.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm.
This won’t delete your data but will reset things like Wi-Fi passwords, display settings, and location preferences.
5. Restore iPhone via iTunes (Recovery Mode or DFU)
If the problem still persists, a deeper system restore may be needed. You’ll need a computer with the latest version of iTunes or Finder (on macOS Catalina or newer).
To use Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
- Choose Restore in iTunes or Finder.
- Follow the prompts to reinstall iOS.
If that doesn’t work, try DFU mode for a deeper-level restore (see Apple’s DFU guide or our iPhone 8 Tutorials section).
⚠️ Both recovery and DFU mode erases your data, so make sure to back up your phone first.
Still Freezing? It Could Be a Hardware Issue
If your iPhone is still lagging or crashing after trying all the steps above, it’s worth having it checked out by Apple.
- Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider.
- Ask for a hardware diagnostic—there may be damage or a hardware fault that only surfaced after the update.
If your iPhone is still under warranty, you might be eligible for a repair or replacement.