How to fix an iPhone X that keeps crashing and freezing after an update [Troubleshooting Guide]

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Software updates don’t always bring good outcomes. As a matter of fact, many people have been raising various types of issues after implementing a new software update on their respective devices. Emerging among the most common post-update issues are system crashes and stuck screen. These problems can occur even on new devices like the iPhone X. If you happened to land into this page as you search for some help in dealing with the same problem, then this post is for you. Read further to find out what options you can try on to fix your iPhone X that keeps crashing and freezing after installing a new software update. Start whenever you’re all set to troubleshoot and fix your iPhone X.

Before we move on, if you have other issues with your iPhone, visit our iPhone X troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most commonly reported issues with the device. Browse through the page to find issues similar with yours. If you still need our assistance after that, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire to contact us.

First solution: Force your iPhone X to restart.


The first recommended solution to system crashes and frozen display is a force restart. It’s a simulated battery removal process for devices with non-removable internal batteries like your iPhone X. It does the same job as a soft reset without affecting any data saved on your phone’s internal memory. Here’s how a force restart is done on your iPhone X:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
  3. Press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears.

Wait for your phone to finish booting up then see if that fixes the problem. If your iPhone still crashes or freezes, then move on and try the next applicable solution.

Second solution: Force close background apps.

Keeping your apps running in the background can offer an advantage when it comes to multitasking between apps but not all the time that these apps are in good state. When a new software implemented, there is a chance that any of these background apps would crash or freeze. If this happens, it is also possible for your iPhone system to become affected. The thing is that your iPhone is a system, which means it’s comprised of interrelated apps. If something goes wrong with any of these apps, chances are that the main system will also become unstable. To make sure this isn’t what’s causing you this trouble, try to force close your background apps with these steps:

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom and then pause.
  2. Firmly touch and hold the app then tap the minus (-) icon on the upper-left of the app’s preview.
  3. Alternatively, you can also swipe up to close the app as soon as you see the minus (-) icon.

Reboot your iPhone X after all background apps are closed.

Third solution: Uninstall rogue apps.

Some third-party apps particularly those that are not updated will likely go rogue after a new software version is installed on the phone. The reason why this happens is that the app may no longer be compatible with the latest iOS version running on your phone and therefore it needs to be updated too.Otherwise, you will need to delete the erratic app then download and install the latest version of that app. Here’s how to uninstall rogue apps on your iPhone X:

  1. Tap and hold on any icon on the Home screen.
  2. When the icons start to jiggle, tap the X in the corner of the suspected app.
  3. Tap Delete to confirm.

Restart your iPhone when you’re done deleting rogue apps then see if that puts an end to your problem. If not, then try performing system resets.

Fourth solution: Reset all settings on your iPhone X.

Your iPhone settings can be overridden by the new settings programmed on the new software update. This can happen automatically or without you being notified. The best possible way to fix the problem in this case is to reset all settings on your device. This way everything will be restored to default values so all you have to do next is to make necessary edits or reconfigure options. If you wish to try your luck in this method, follow these steps:

  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select the option to Reset all settings.
  5. Enter your device passcode if prompted.
  6. Then confirm settings reset.

No data will be affected in the process so expect your saved data and personal information remain intact afterwards.

Fifth solution: Perform a DFU mode restore on your iPhone X.

The last resort you can try on if the problem persists after performing all prior workarounds is a DFU mode restore. A DFU mode restore is the most in-depth type of system restore you can do on your iPhone. It allows your device to communicate with iTunes on a computer without activating its bootloader or operating system. Don’t forget to back up all your important data beforehand as they will all be deleted in the process. Then follow these steps to carry out a DFU mode restore on your iPhone X:

  1. Close any running programs on your computer.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the Apple-supplied USB connector or Lightning cable.
  3. While your phone is connected, press and hold the Side/Power button for about 3 seconds.
  4. Keep pressing on the Side/Power button then press and hold the Volume Down button for about 10 seconds. If the Apple logo appears, it means you’ve held the buttons too long and that you’ll have to start all over again.
  5. If you see no logo, release the Side/Power button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
  6. If the screen stays black afterwards, it means that you have successfully entered DFU mode. At this point, you will be prompted with an alert message on your computer saying that iTunes has detected your iPhone. If you see that message, follow the onscreen prompts to complete the DFU mode recovery process.
  7. If you see the Plug into iTunes screen, it means you haven’t entered DFU mode and that you will need to start all over again.

Entering DFU mode requires timing so patience is necessary. If you failed to enter DFU mode in your first attempt, then don’t forget to try again until you’re in.

Other options

Report the issue to your carrier or Apple Support for them to assess and if necessary, tag it among other post-update issues to be included in their next fix patch. The update might have contained more complex bugs that somehow destabilized the system functions of your iPhone X. Errors like this are typically addressed by a fix patch that will be embedded into the next update or iOS version.

Or you can just take your iPhone to the nearest Genius bar in your place and have your device checked and/or repaired by an Apple technician onsite.

Connect with us

If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the new Apple iPhone X smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone 8. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.

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