A frozen iPhone can be extremely frustrating. Whether your screen stops responding, apps won't open, or your iPhone is stuck on one screen, it often feels like the device is completely unusable. Fortunately, most cases of a frozen or unresponsive iPhone are caused by software issues rather than hardware damage. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to unfreeze your iPhone step by step to help you quickly restore normal usage.
Before attempting any fixes, understanding the common causes of iPhone freezing can help you choose the right solution:
How do you unfreeze an unresponsive iPhone? Here are 8 effective solutions. You can try them one by one.
When your iPhone screen is completely frozen and doesn't respond to touch, a force restart is usually the fastest and safest way to fix the problem. This method refreshes the system without deleting any data. It's especially effective when the iPhone freezes due to a temporary system crash or app conflict.
Steps to force restart iPhone:
iPhone 8 and newer:
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:
iPhone 6s and earlier:
When the battery is too low or the battery health is abnormal, the iPhone may enter a "false freeze" state, making it seem like it's frozen when, in fact, the system is protecting itself. In such cases, forcefully trying to operate the device may be ineffective. One of the simplest and easiest things you can do to unfreeze your iPhone is to charge it.
Use an original or reliable charger to connect the iPhone and charge the device for at least 15-30 minutes. After charging, try turning the device on to see if it still freezes. (iPhone overheating when charging?)
If your iPhone only freezes when opening a specific app, while the system itself is still somewhat responsive, the issue is usually with the app itself. In this case, you don't need to restart the entire phone—simply force quit the problematic app.
Here are the steps:
Step 1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause (for devices without a Home button)
or double-press the "Home" button.
Step 2. Find the frozen app in the background app list.
Step 3. Swipe up on the app to close it.
Step 4. Reopen the app and check if it returns to normal.
When the iPhone's storage space is nearly full, the system has very little available space to run temporary files, which can easily lead to lag or even freezing. This is one of the main reasons many users repeatedly encounter iPhone freezes. To unfreeze the iPhone screen, follow the steps below to free up iPhone space:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage".
Step 2. Check which apps or files take up the most space.
Step 3. Delete unused apps, photos, or videos.
Step 4. Clear browser cache and large message attachments.
If your iPhone has not been updated for a long time, bugs in older versions of iOS may cause the device to freeze frequently. Updating the system can help unfreeze your iPhone.
Here is how to unfreeze iPhone 17/16/15/14 by updating your iPhone:
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".
Step 2. Check for available updates and download and install the latest iOS version.
Restoring your iPhone with iTunes is also a reliable way to unfreeze the iPhone screen. However, doing this will erase all of your settings and data from the device. Therefore, before proceeding, please back up your iPhone to your computer or an external drive.
Here is how to unfreeze an iPhone with iTunes:
Step 1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a Windows PC or Mac computer.
Step 2. Open iTunes if you are using Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier, or open Finder if you are using macOS Catalina or later.
Step 3. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode according to your device model:
Step 4. Once your iPhone is detected in recovery mode, a prompt will appear on your computer asking you to "Update" or "Restore" the device.
Step 5. First, select "Update" to allow iTunes or Finder to reinstall iOS without erasing data, if possible. If the update process fails or your iPhone remains frozen, repeat the process and select "Restore", which will erase the device and install a fresh version of iOS.
Step 6. Wait patiently for the restore process to complete, then set up your iPhone as new or restore it from a backup if available.
If you want to fix a frozen iPhone without data loss, a professional iOS repair tool is the safest option. iOS System Recovery is designed to fix iOS system issues while preserving your data. This tool has a simple and user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to use.
Key features of iOS System Recovery:
Here is how to unfreeze the iPhone 17 screen without losing data using iOS System Recovery:
01Download and install on your Windows PC or Mac, then launch the program after installation is complete. On the main interface, select "iOS System Recovery" to enter the system repair module.
02Connect your frozen iPhone to the computer using a USB cable and wait for the software to detect the device. Once your iPhone is recognized, click the "Start" button to proceed with the system diagnosis.
03Choose "Standard Mode", which is recommended for fixing a frozen iPhone without deleting existing data. Then, click "Confirm" to continue.
04Confirm your iPhone model, iOS version, and other device information shown on the screen, and correct any inaccurate details manually if needed. Then click "Repair" to allow the program to download the appropriate firmware package for your iPhone automatically.
05Wait while the firmware is downloaded and verified. After the repair process starts, the software will automatically fix the iOS system issues causing your iPhone to freeze. Once the repair is complete, your iPhone will restart automatically and return to normal working condition.
If your iPhone is still frozen after trying all solutions, the issue may be related to hardware problems such as battery failure, internal component damage, or logic board issues. In this situation, contacting Apple Support is the safest option, as Apple technicians can run professional diagnostics that are not available to regular users.
If your device is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, you may also be eligible for free repair or replacement, ensuring your iPhone is fixed properly without causing further damage.
That's all about how to unfreeze an iPhone. When your iPhone freezes or becomes unresponsive, there's no need to panic. In most cases, issues can be resolved with a force restart, clearing storage, or updating the system. However, for persistent freezing or serious system malfunctions, iOS System Recovery offers a safer, more efficient repair solution that minimizes the risk of data loss and is definitely worth trying.
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