iPhone XS Keeps Freezing or Getting Stuck? Here’s How to Fix It

If your iPhone XS keeps freezing, crashing, or getting stuck on the Apple logo or a black screen, you’re likely dealing with a serious iOS glitch or system failure. The good news? You’ve got several ways to fix it — from quick tricks to more advanced solutions. Here’s a full guide to help you get your iPhone back to normal.

Force Restart Your iPhone XS

This is the first thing to try when your iPhone becomes unresponsive or stuck on a screen.

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

A force restart won’t erase any data, and it usually clears out minor bugs that may have caused your iPhone to lock up. If your phone boots normally, go ahead and install any available updates:

To update apps manually:

Open the App Store.
Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
Scroll to see pending updates.
Tap Update All, or update apps individually.

To check for a system update:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, back up your iPhone first.
Tap Download and Install.

Do a Factory Reset Using iTunes

If your iPhone is still freezing or stuck, the next step is a full factory reset using iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later).

⚠️ This will erase everything on your iPhone. Make sure to back up your data first.

Connect your iPhone to your computer using a Lightning cable.
Launch iTunes (or Finder).
Once your iPhone is recognized, click your device icon.
Select Restore iPhone.
Follow the prompts to wipe and reinstall iOS.

After the reset, you can choose to set it up as new or restore from a backup.

Try Recovery Mode Restore

Recovery Mode is a deeper-level restore than a basic factory reset. It’s useful if your iPhone won’t complete startup or is stuck in a boot loop.

Connect your iPhone to your computer.
On the iPhone:
- Press and release Volume Up.
- Press and release Volume Down.
- Then hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen (a cable pointing to a computer or iTunes logo).
On your computer, you’ll see an option to Update or Restore:
- Update: Reinstalls iOS without erasing data.
- Restore: Wipes everything and installs the latest iOS.

If this works, your iPhone should reboot normally afterward.

Use DFU Mode (Deep Restore)

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is the most complete restore method available — it reloads both the firmware and software.

⚠️ This also erases everything on the phone. Back up if possible.

Plug your iPhone XS into your computer.
Quickly press and release Volume Up.
Quickly press and release Volume Down.
Hold the Side button until the screen goes black.
Then:
- Keep holding the Side button and press Volume Down for 5 seconds.
- Release the Side button but continue holding Volume Down for another 5 seconds.

If successful, your screen will stay black, and iTunes/Finder will detect the iPhone in recovery mode.

You can now Restore your iPhone via iTunes.

If you see the Apple logo or recovery mode screen instead of a black display, you’ll need to try again.

To exit DFU mode, force restart the phone.

Try a Third-Party iOS Repair Tool

If you want to try fixing the issue without losing your data, there are third-party tools like:

ReiBoot
iMyFone Fixppo
Dr.Fone – Repair

These tools often offer a “Standard Mode” that attempts to repair iOS without wiping your data. Just be sure to pick one that supports iOS 12 and the iPhone XS.

Still Stuck? It Might Be Hardware

If your iPhone XS is still frozen or stuck after all that, hardware could be the issue — possibly from liquid damage or a failed component.

Book an appointment at your nearest Apple Store or authorized repair center for a diagnostic. If your phone’s under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, repairs may be free or discounted.