[Solved] Safari Running Slow on iPhone/iPad? 7 Tricks to Fix It

"Running an iPhone 13 Pro. Updated to iOS 18.6 and now Safari is running extremely slow. Tried the hard restart and delete cache etc. Still very slow. Internet connection is perfect, apps work fine, just seems to be the loading and navigating on websites."

- from Apple Community

If you've noticed Safari running slow on your iPhone or iPad, you're definitely not alone. Safari is Apple's default browser and is known for its speed, stability, and smooth performance. However, over time, it may begin to lag — pages load slowly, videos stutter, or tabs freeze for no apparent reason. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you rely on Safari for daily browsing or work.

The good news? You don't have to switch browsers or factory-reset your device. This guide explains the main reasons why Safari runs slow and provides practical fixes to make it fast and responsive again.

Part 1. Why is Safari Running So Slow on My iPhone/iPad?

Before discussing how to fix the issue, let's first take a look at the common reasons why Safari may be slow:

• Excessive cache files: Over time, Safari accumulates browsing data, history, and website caches, which can slow down performance.
• Unstable network connection: Poor Wi-Fi signal or fluctuations in the cellular network can cause web pages to load slowly.
• Outdated system version: If iOS or Safari is not updated to the latest version, performance issues or compatibility errors may occur.
• Too many open tabs: Having too many web pages open at once can consume memory, causing Safari to lag.
• Web scripts or ads interference: Some websites load complex scripts or ad plugins, which can also slow down Safari.

Part 2. How to Fix Safari Running Slow on iPhone/iPad?

Now that we know the potential causes, let's go through the step-by-step methods to fix Safari running slow on iPhone/iPad issues. Try these solutions one by one until your Safari browser runs smoothly again.

Fix 1. Check the Internet Speed

A slow or unstable Internet connection is often the main reason behind Safari running slow on iPhone/iPad. If the speed is noticeably low, try turning off Wi-Fi and switching to cellular data to test again. If the network remains unstable, you can restart the router or forget the current Wi-Fi network and reconnect.

Fix 2. Close All Safari Tabs

Having too many tabs open in Safari consumes significant system memory and processing power, which leads to lag or freezing. Closing unused tabs can free up resources and improve browsing speed.

Steps to close all Safari tabs:

Step 1. Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. Tap the "Tabs" icon in the bottom-right corner.

Step 3. Long-press the "Done" button.

Step 4. Select "Close All Tabs" to close everything at once.

Fix 3. Clear Browsing History and Data

Safari saves a large amount of browsing history, cached images, and cookies to help load pages faster next time. However, over time, the accumulation of too much data can actually slow down the browser. Clearing Safari's browsing history and data can fix most lagging and loading issues.

How do I clear the cache in Safari on my iPhone/iPad?

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Safari".

Step 2. Scroll down and tap "Clear History and Website Data".

Step 3. Tap "Clear History and Data" again to confirm.

Step 4. Reopen Safari and reload your usual websites.

Fix 4. Disable Background App Refresh

When other apps constantly refresh in the background, they consume bandwidth and memory, slowing down both Safari and your entire system. Disabling this feature can help Safari run more efficiently.

Steps to turn off background app refresh:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Background App Refresh".

Step 2. Tap "Background App Refresh" again and choose Off.

Step 3. Alternatively, you can disable it only for non-essential apps.

Fix 5. Reset Network Settings

If your Safari lagging issue only occurs when connected to the internet, it may be due to incorrect network settings. Resetting the network settings can clear old Wi-Fi, VPN, and other cached information, allowing the system to establish a fresh connection.

Steps to reset network settings:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone".

Step 2. Tap "Reset", then select "Reset Network Settings".

Step 3. Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm.

Step 4. After the reset, reconnect to your Wi-Fi and test Safari again.

Fix 6. Restart the iPhone

It may sound simple, but restarting your iPhone can clear temporary caches and refresh system memory — often resolving sluggish Safari behavior.

Steps to restart your iPhone:

Step 1. Press and hold the "Power" button + "Volume Up/Down" button (for iPhone X and later).

Step 2. Drag the slider to power off.

Step 3. Wait 30 seconds, then press the Power button again to restart.

Fix 7. Clear iPhone Storage Space

If your device storage is nearly full, Safari and other apps will inevitably slow down. A full system can’t create enough cache space to run efficiently. The best way to deal with this is to free up storage using a professional cleaner tool like Coolmuster iOS Cleaner.

This reliable desktop tool deeply scans your iPhone/iPad, removes junk files, caches, temporary files, crash logs, and other unnecessary data — helping Safari and your entire iOS system perform faster.

Key features of Coolmuster iOS Cleaner:

• Effortlessly erase junk files, including app caches, app cookies, app temp files, app crash logs, downloaded temp files, photo caches, user storage files, etc.
• Display all junk and private data on your iOS device for you to preview and confirm which you really want to erase before you start.
• Optimize your iOS device safely.
• The latest iOS 26/iPhone 17 Pro/iPhone Air/iPhone 17 is supported.
• 100% clean and read-only iOS cleanup utility with no jailbreak required.
• Won't damage your device or rewrite your data without permission.

Here is how to use iOS Cleaner to clear iPhone storage space:

01Download and install this tool on your computer. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer using a USB cable.

Free Download for Mac

02Once your device is successfully connected, the iOS Cleaner will present four different cleaning modes. To clean your iPhone, select "Quick Clean".

03After that, a new window will appear displaying all removable file types, such as app caches, cookies, temporary files, crash logs, downloaded temp files, photo caches, and user storage files. Select the file types you wish to remove, then click the "Start Scan" button in the top-right corner.

04After scanning, check the boxes beside the junk files you want to delete and click the "Clean" button in the top-right corner. A confirmation dialog will appear asking whether you're sure you want to remove the selected items. Click "OK" to begin the cleaning process.

05After a short wait, the cleanup will complete successfully, and a confirmation screen will display how much data was erased and how much storage space you've freed up.

Conclusion

When Safari starts running slow on your iPhone or iPad, it can be frustrating. However, you can now fix the problem with the easy tricks mentioned above. To clear all Safari caches, you can use Coolmuster iOS Cleaner. It will remove all junk files from your device and make your device faster than before.

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