iphone 4 problem solving

iPhone troubleshooting: Common iPhone problems and how to fix them

It doesn't matter if you're on the latest iPhone running the latest version of iOS or on an older phone with aged software: "It just works" is an ideal. The reality is "it just works until it doesn't — usually when you need it the most." Like any complex and sophisticated machine, iPhone can cause you any number of problems. In most cases, though, iPhone troubleshooting is a straightforward affair. So, before you call Apple Support or visit your local Genius Bar, here are a few things you can try to get your devices and services "just working" again.

How do you restart, reboot, and recover your iPhone?

One of the best iPhone troubleshooting tips is a cliché for a reason. Sometimes merely restarting your iPhone can clear up problems that range from battery drain to bad Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to misbehaving apps. You can simply power down and power up or, if you have to, you can hard reboot.

Sometimes a reboot just isn't enough. If something has gone seriously wrong and you're either told to — or need to — put your iPhone into recovery or device firmware update (DFU) mode to completely re-install iOS, you have that option as well.

And if you don't want to reset everything but just one or a few things, you can do that too! It's a simple task to reset the phone's settings, remove network connections, erase content, zap the keyboard dictionary, rearrange the Home screen, or dump Location and Privacy data.

• How to restart or reboot your iPhone
• How to put your iPhone into recovery mode
• How to put your iPhone into DFU mode
• How to reset settings, network, location, and more

What if your iPhone won't charge, gets terrible battery life, won't shut down, or won't start up?

Having problems with power is the worst. It means you can't rely on your iPhone working for you when you need it. Whether your iPhone isn't charging, is draining too fast even when charged, or simply won't turn off or refuses to turn back on, the good news is that sometimes it's easy to fix on your own.

• What to do if your iPhone won't charge
• How to fix iOS and iPhone battery life problems
• How to get your iPhone to properly turn off
• How to force your iPhone to restart

How do I fix problems with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other connections?

Connections that won't connect... grr. Bluetooth needs to broadcast and establish a connection; Wi-Fi needs to lock on and transmit data; AirDrop relies on both. It may seem like a miracle any of it ever works, but it should all work, all the time. That's the job. So, if your connection isn't connecting, here's what you can try.

• How to troubleshoot Bluetooth connections
• How to troubleshoot HomeKit connections
• How to troubleshoot AirDrop connections

What if nothing is working?

In some cases, despite all of our best efforts, you'll encounter problems you can't fix on your own. In those cases, you should escalate straight to Apple: You can call the company at 1-800-MY-APPLE, tweet them @apple_support, visit them online at apple.com/support , or go straight to your local Apple Retail Store.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

What problems do you need help solving?

In need of some iPhone troubleshooting and it's not addressed in this guide? Or have you found a solution that works better? Then drop it in the comments!

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Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

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Broken front panel

Broken rear panel, restart iphone, very low battery, bad cable connection, broken charger or usb cord, obstructed/bad dock connector, drained/dead battery, bad display, bad logic board, dirty or corroded logic board connections, dirty antenna grounds, bad headphones/speakers, bad audio jack, corrupted software, force restore mode, unresponsive phone, faulty power button, dead battery, liquid damage mitigation needed, iphone 4s troubleshooting.

Use our iPhone 4S troubleshooting guide to diagnose your device's issues.

iPhone 4S glass is shattered

Oh no! Your iPhone's glass did not survive your unintentional drop test!

Take a deep breath and see if your iPhone will turn on and operate normally. In most cases, the iPhone is still functional but now a cosmetic disaster. Unfortunately, the iPhone 4S' front glass and LCD are fused together and must be replaced as one piece, either in black (which can be purchased here) or white (which can be purchased here) . The display assembly replacement guide can be found here .

Apple did not grace the rear panel of the iPhone 4S with the same high-strength glass as the front, so fractures are much easier to come by on the backside. If your rear panel is smashed, you must replace it with a new one. Before attempting this repair , though, make sure you have the correct screwdriver and the replacement part (available in black , white , or transparent) on hand.

iPhone is frozen or unresponsive

Even after furious button mashing and screen smashing, your iPhone 4S doesn't respond.

Sometimes all it takes is a restart for the iPhone to become responsive again. To restart your iPhone when it is unresponsive, press and hold the sleep/wake and home buttons until the Apple logo appears (~10 seconds).

It is possible for an iPhone to become unresponsive if the battery drops to an extremely low level. Plug the iPhone into your computer or wall charger and allow it to charge for at least 20 minutes before using it again.

iPhone 4S will not charge

Plugging in your iPhone 4S does not bring it life.

Check the USB cable for damage and dirt, especially at the ends. Then try using the wall charger, as this will provide greater power input than the computer/USB.

Try using different chargers to see if you have a problem with your charger or cord.

Inspect the 30-pin dock connector at the bottom of the iPhone for dirt, lint, and damaged pins. Clean out the dock connector very carefully with a tooth pick or soft toothbrush. If the dock connector is broken, you will have to replace it. You can find the dock connector cable part here and you can follow the replacement guide here .

iPhone will not turn on

You cannot get your beloved iPhone 4S to turn on.

Plug your iPhone into your computer or wall adapter to charge. If it does not charge when connected to either of these, you probably have a dead battery. The battery will need to be replaced with a new one. You can purchase a new battery here , and follow the iPhone 4S replacement guide here .

It is possible that nothing is happening because the display is bad (in this case, things are happening but the user can't see anything!). If the iPhone sounds like it is working properly but nothing is visible, it is possible the display is bad and must be replaced. If plugging your iPhone into a power source causes it to endlessly vibrate or sound the "connected to power" chime over and over while the display remains blank, you have a display problem that may require further troubleshooting .

A new display can be purchased here .

The iPhone 4S display assembly replacement guide can be found here .

If nothing else works, your logic board is probably bad and needs to be replaced. You can purchase a logic board here .

The logic board replacement guide can be found here .

"This accessory is not optimized for this iPhone" message

An error message appears as if you have connected an unsupported accessory to your iPhone

Check the 30-pin dock connector at the bottom of the iPhone for dirt, lint, and damaged pins. Clean out the dock connector very carefully with a tooth pick or soft toothbrush. High concentration isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%) and a cotton swab should be used to clean any debris that does not come off with a tooth pick or soft toothbrush. If the dock connector is broken, you will have to replace it. You can purchase a dock dock connector here . The guide to replace it can be found here .

After an iPhone has been submerged in a liquid, there may be some corrosion or debris on the logic board connections that cause this error message. Remove the logic board and clean all of the contacts with a soft cotton swab and high concentration isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).

Weak or lost wireless connections

You have trouble connecting to a wireless network.

If your iPhone has been disassembled before, it's possible that finger oils were left on the grounding locations for the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth antennas . These oils will cause grounding issues for the antennas, which could lead to a weak signal or no connectivity at all. Be sure to clean all grounding points with an electronics cleaning solution before reassembling your iPhone to prevent grounding issues.

No audio or distorted audio through speakers or headphones

Your iPhone 4S turns on and appears to work, but when you plug in headphones or speakers, the audio doesn't play properly.

It's unlikely your headphones or external speakers are bad, but it's worthwhile to eliminate these as the source of the problem. Try your iPhone with another set of headphones or external speakers just to make sure that the problem is with the iPhone.

The most likely cause of audio output problems on iPhone 4S is a bad audio-out port (commonly referred to as the headphone jack). If you have determined that the problem does not lie in your external speakers, you should replace the headphone jack. You can find a a replacement headphone jack here. The guide to replace the headphone jack can be found here .

Restore iPhone 4S

Your iPhone is behaving erratically or displays the text "Use iTunes to restore" on startup

If the phone appears to have corrupted software, it may be time to restore it. Restoring the iPhone 4S will erase everything on it, so make sure everything on the iPhone 4S is stored elsewhere prior to restoring. To restore, connect your iPhone 4S to a computer with iTunes installed. Click "Restore" on the iPhone 4S summary page (click on your iPhone icon on the left menu to find this page). Follow the directions to restore. If your iPhone 4S displays the text "Please wait. Very Low Battery," leave it plugged in. This charges the iPhone 4S enough to be able to restore. If the iPhone 4S hangs on this screen for long periods of time, you may need to to replace the battery (the guide is found here) .

If your iPhone 4S is hanging with an Apple logo, or exhibiting some other software problem that prevents iTunes from recognizing it, you can force it into recovery/restore mode and then use iTunes to restore the software.

If the device is powered off, plug one end of your USB cable into the iPhone 4S and leave the other end disconnected. Press down on the Home button, and keep holding it down while you plug the USB cable into your computer. After 5-10 seconds, you should see a "Please Connect to iTunes" image on the iPhone 4S, and iTunes should prompt you to restore the software; follow the prompts and the instructions given above.

If the device is powered on, hold down both the power and home buttons until the device reboots and displays the "Connect to iTunes" image (generally, 5-15 seconds).

Your iPhone will not come to life. The phone isn’t powering on or it shuts down promptly after removing it from the charger.

If the phone is unresponsive, try to power on the phone by holding the power button for about 2 seconds. If this does not work, then attempt to restart the iphone by holding the power button and home button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears (~10 seconds). If the phone remains dead, try to reset the phone. To do this, plug one end of your USB cable into the iPhone 4S and leave the other end disconnected. Press down on the home button, and keep holding it down while you plug the USB cable into your computer. After 5-10 seconds, you should see a "Please Connect to iTunes" image on the iPhone 4S, and iTunes should prompt you to restore the software. Reference the corrupted software section to get information on restoration.

A broken power button can prevent the phone from powering on. This is unlikely, especially if the button feels responsive. If the phone has experienced a drop or liquid damage, however, it could affect power button functionality. Inspect both the and also check that the is connected to the the logic board.

If there is a problem with the power button, you can find the part here. The guide to replace the button can be found here .

If there is a problem with the power button cable, you can find the part here. The guide to replace the power button cable can be found here .

It is possible that the battery is no longer functioning. Attempt to charge the phone. If the phone remains unresponsive for over 5 minutes, it might be time to replace the battery.

A new battery can be found here .

The guide to replace the battery can be found here .

iPhone has water or liquid damage

After an accidental spill or a drop in the sink, your iPhone no longer works correctly.

As soon as possible, perform the following:

• Immediately remove the iPhone from the liquid (if safe to do so). Minimize the length of time your device is in contact with liquid to prevent corrosive damage.
• Turn the iPhone off. (If it was off already, do not turn it on.)
• Skip the rice . Contrary to what you may have heard, rice is not an effective or lasting fix for water damaged electronics.
• Liquid damage may complicate disassembly. Beware of cables and connectors that may be "adhered" to other components in unexpected ways.

At this point, inspect the interior of your iPhone and try to determine the extent of the liquid damage.

• Whew! You may have dodged a bullet. Check the water damage indicators, look around the ports and SIM card tray, and inspect the battery connector carefully for signs of liquid or corrosion.
• If you notice any sign of liquid intrusion, skip to the next section below.
• If everything looks bone dry, you might not need to do anything further. Give your phone a couple hours to air out, re-connect the battery, power it on, and test all functions. If you notice any problems, continue to the next section below.
• Follow the display assembly replacement guide to begin removing components.
• As you remove each component, check it carefully for signs of liquid or corrosion damage. Wipe any liquid and/or corrosion away carefully with isopropyl alcohol and a clean, soft nylon brush, such as a toothbrush, and allow it to air dry.
• Continue disassembling until you no longer see any signs of liquid intrusion.
• Do not attempt to re-use a battery that has been in contact with any liquid.
• Power on your iPhone and test all functions. If you notice any problems, continue to the next section below.
• Follow the display assembly replacement guide to take your iPhone apart completely.
• Clean each component, cable connector, and socket carefully with isopropyl alcohol and a clean toothbrush.
• Use the toothbrush to scrub visible corrosion and residue from the logic board. Clean all connectors, chips, and fuses.
• Repeat cleaning if necessary, or if traces of residue are still visible.
• For any particular function that fails, replace the associated component with a new part , and then re-test.
• If problems persist, a board-level repair may be necessary. We don’t yet have comprehensive guides for board-level repair, so you may wish to consult a microsoldering specialist for more options.

with 7 other contributors

David Hodson

Member since: 04/13/10

150,526 Reputation

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73 Comments

hi i have tuned on a speech mode on my phone and i have to double tap all keys and it will not let my screw down the page to tune it off help please

scott - Jul 14, 2013 Reply

Mine has started doing the same thing today! Voice keeps saying "double tap" and I have to tap several times to get it to work. It is driving me crazy!

Karen - Aug 3, 2013

Scott, I am having the same problem, please let me know if you find a solution at [email protected]. Thanks

Patrick - Jan 14, 2014

Use siri and tell her accessibility. Then when she gets you there, turn off the voice over

paul - Mar 25, 2014

use siri to get to "accessibility" and turn off voice over

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The Mega-Guide to Fixing Your Own iPhone

Apple’s iPhones are some of the best smartphones you can buy, but no device is perfect. Things can and do go wrong with these powerful pocket-size computers. Tracking down the correct iPhone fix can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But don’t let it get you down. Before you give up on your malfunctioning iPhone, have a look through our troubleshooting guide.

We start with basic fixes that usually alleviate the most common iPhone problems you’ll encounter, then dig into some slightly more complex and specific issues. Hopefully, our step-by-step instructions and advice will get you back on track. Whether it’s a software bug, a hardware problem, or a mystery glitch, we've got advice for you. Before you start tinkering around, here’s how to back up your iPhone so you don’t lose anything.

• Turn It Off and on Again
• Update Your iPhone and Apps
• My iPhone Won’t Turn On or Off
• My iPhone Won’t Charge
• My iPhone Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi
• My iPhone Won’t Connect to Bluetooth
• My iPhone Has a Broken Screen
• My iPhone’s Battery Can’t Hold a Charge
• My iPhone Got Wet
• How to Get Help From Apple
• How to Find a Fix Yourself
• How to Factory-Reset Your iPhone

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The familiar refrain of the IT pro has become something of a joke, but the fact remains that turning devices off and on again really does fix problems sometimes. It is the first thing you should try for a wide range of iPhone issues. Here’s how:

• For the iPhone X, XS, 11, 12, or 13 range, press and hold the power button and one of the volume buttons until the power slider appears on the screen. If you have an iPhone SE, 8, 7, 6, their S variants, or older, you only need to press and hold the power button.
• You should see a slider that says Slide to power off . Drag it from left to right and give your iPhone 30 seconds or so to turn itself off.
• To turn it back on, simply press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

Many iPhone problems are caused by out-of-date software, so it’s worth checking to ensure you have the latest iOS version and that your apps are up to date. If you find that a particular iPhone app keeps crashing or freezing, an update will often resolve your issue. Here’s how:

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• Go to Settings , General , Software Update , and see if there’s an update available.
• It’s usually best to allow your iPhone to update automatically by going to Settings , General , Software Update , Automatic Updates , and toggling on Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates .
• To make sure your apps are up to date, open the App Store, tap your profile icon at the top, and tap Update All .
• It’s usually best to allow your iPhone to update apps automatically too. You can do this by going to Settings , App Store , and toggling on App Updates .

Sometimes your iPhone doesn’t respond, or the touchscreen freezes up, making it impossible to turn off the regular way. If this happens to you, it’s time to try what Apple calls a force restart . Here’s how to do it on most modern iPhones, from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone 13:

• Start by pressing and quickly releasing the volume up button
• Now, press and quickly release the volume down button.
• Finally, press and hold the power button.
• When you see the Apple logo on the screen, you can let go of the power button.

If you have an iPhone 7, press and hold both the power button and the volume down button until you see the Apple logo. If you have an iPhone 6s, first-generation iPhone SE, or an older iPhone, press and hold the power button and the Home button until the Apple logo appears.

If you’ve had your iPhone plugged in or on the charger for a while (at least an hour) and it doesn’t seem to be charging, and you’ve tried a force restart (see above), here’s what to try next:

• Start by looking at the charging port to make sure there’s nothing stuck in there and no visible signs of damage. Be very careful when cleaning your phone . If you want to dislodge dirt in the charging port, use a wooden toothpick, cotton swab, and steady hand.
• The problem could be the charger or the cable. If there are visible splits or kinks in the cable or the charger has bent prongs, it’s time to recycle them and buy new ones. Try plugging your iPhone in with a different cable and charger, and use an outlet you know is working. Just make sure you use the right kind of charger .
• If the charging port on your iPhone is damaged or your wall charger isn’t working, you can always try using a wireless charger . Every iPhone since the iPhone 8 supports wireless charging.
• If none of these solutions work, then you'll need to head to an Apple Store and find out about your options for repair. You may be entitled to a free battery replacement. You can learn more in our guide on how to get a battery replacement for your smartphone .

It can be very frustrating when your iPhone refuses to connect to a Wi-Fi network, but it’s usually easy to fix. Here’s what to try:

• Check that your router is on and working. See if other devices in your home are still connected. If your Wi-Fi is completely out, then try unplugging your router and then plugging it back in, and make sure all the cables are connected properly.
• Go to Settings , Wi-Fi on your iPhone to ensure that it’s toggled on.
• Tap on your Wi-Fi network name to see if there are any issues, and make sure that Auto-Join is toggled on.
• If it still won’t connect, then go to Settings , Wi-Fi , and tap on your network name, then tap Forget This Network .
• Try turning your iPhone and your router off and on again, then go back to Settings , Wi-Fi, and tap to connect to your network, entering your password when prompted. Bear in mind your router will take a few minutes to start back up.
• As a last resort, go to Settings , General , Reset , Reset Network Settings . This will reset all of your Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings.

Whether you are trying to connect a Bluetooth speaker, an in-car system, or another device, problems with iPhones connecting to Bluetooth are very common. Here’s how to fix them:

• Start by making sure that your iPhone and Bluetooth accessory are fully charged, powered on, and close to each other.
• Read up on your Bluetooth device or system, make sure you know how the pairing process works, and make your device discoverable (sometimes you have to hold down a button).
• Go to Settings, Bluetooth on your iPhone, make sure it’s toggled on, look for the device you want to connect to in the list, and tap on it.
• You may have to enter a PIN or passcode.
• Some Bluetooth accessories use an app on your iPhone. If that’s the case, go to Settings , Privacy , Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on for the app.
• If a previously connected device doesn’t seem to be working, then try unpairing it. Go to Settings, Bluetooth on your iPhone and tap the info button next to the device in question, tap Forget This Device , then try pairing again.
• If you still can’t connect to your iPhone, try connecting to another phone or tablet to ensure the issue isn’t with your accessory or Bluetooth system. Sometimes there’s a limit to how many connections you can have, so refer to your Bluetooth device’s manufacturer to find out if this is the case and how you can delete old connections. We have a separate guide for troubleshooting Bluetooth headphone problems .
• Try connecting a different Bluetooth device to your iPhone to see if that works.
• If the problem seems to be with your iPhone, and nothing so far has worked, it’s time to contact Apple support .

We all know the fear as you inspect your iPhone screen for cracks after a tumble. Broken or cracked screens are very common. Although your iPhone may still work, it’s a good idea to get the screen fixed as soon as you can to prevent injury or further damage. These are your options:

• Contact Apple and book an appointment to take your iPhone into an Apple Authorized Service Provider or the Genius Bar. You may have the option of scheduling an onsite repair where someone comes to your home or office. You can also mail your iPhone to a service center for repair, but that means being without your phone for a while. Apple’s official repairs are also very expensive. (It costs $279 for an out-of-warranty iPhone 13, for example.)
• Find a reliable third-party repair shop, like New York City’s iPhone doctor . Just make sure you do your homework and read reviews first. And, if possible, have them repair it in front of you.
• If you’re feeling handy, you could always try repairing it yourself. You can find detailed instructions and repair kits at iFixit and elsewhere. After a lot of pressure, Apple is finally making it easier to repair your iPhone , but most people probably shouldn’t attempt it—it’s easy to make a bad situation worse.
• You might be tempted to just trade in or sell your iPhone , but we highly recommend fixing it first. While some services will buy broken iPhones, the amount of money they knock off the payment for a broken screen far exceeds the cost of a repair.
• Whatever fix you go for, consider getting an iPhone case, screen protector, or both , so it doesn’t happen again.

If you find that your iPhone’s battery doesn’t last as long as it used to, you can check its health by going to Settings , Battery , Battery Health . This will show you what percentage of your battery’s initial charge capacity is left.

It’s easy to get a battery replacement, and it may even be free if your iPhone is still under warranty or you have AppleCare+, but you will need to visit an Apple Store or send your iPhone to a repair center. You can find more details in our guide on how to get a battery replacement for your smartphone .

Whether you spilled coffee all over it or your iPhone took a dive into the toilet bowl, there’s a good chance it will survive, provided you take the right action. Every iPhone since the iPhone 7 has some kind of water resistance . If yours gets wet, turn it off immediately and remove as much liquid as you can with a clean towel. Then read our guide on how to rescue a wet phone .

One of the reasons that Apple is so popular, and you paid a premium for that iPhone in the first place, is that the company offers a high standard of customer support. You should take advantage of that and contact Apple for help if you can’t find a fix on your own. Here’s how to go about it:

• Before you contact Apple, it can be helpful to write a detailed description of your problem and document everything you have already tried to fix it.
• It’s worth downloading the official Apple Support app . It offers lots of useful advice and troubleshooting tips and can connect you with a person when you need to speak to someone.
• The Apple Support website can guide you through some possible fixes and help you find the right number to call when you need to.
• If you want to go into an Apple Store or visit an authorized repair center, try this Apple website to locate one near you.

These fixes will cover many common iPhone problems. Even if you don’t think some of our suggestions relate to your issue, give them a try. You might be surprised. In the unfortunate event that your iPhone is still not behaving, here’s some advice on finding a fix yourself:

• Start by typing your problem into Google (or your preferred search engine) and be as specific as possible. Include your iPhone model and a description of the problem.
• Support forums are often the best places to find solutions. Look for a thread where someone has posted your exact problem and found a fix that worked. Try the Apple Support Forum , iPhone subreddits on Reddit , and forums on Apple-focused sites like iMore . You can also try creating a post of your own to ask for ideas on fixes.

The last resort for persistent problems is to factory-reset your iPhone , but this will wipe everything that’s on there. Please back up your iPhone before you consider this.

• Once you have backed up, go to Settings , General , Reset , Erase All Content and Settings . Confirm and then set your iPhone aside for a few minutes for the process to complete.
• If you restore your backup during the setup process and find that you still have issues, then try factory-resetting again, but this time, after it has been wiped and restarted, choose Set Up as New iPhone . If the issue is gone, it could be that an app or setting in your backup is causing the problem.
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How-To Geek

Iphone troubleshooting tips to fix all kinds of problems.

Get your iPhone working again.

Quick Links

Check your iphone's battery health, force quit apps that have crashed, restart your phone to fix a huge range of problems, update apps to solve software problems, update ios to solve bigger problems, consdier resetting network settings, reset all settings to wipe the slate clean, erase your iphone and restore a backup, dfu reset and restore a backup, erase and set up as new.

Despite being one of the top names in the smartphone market, even iPhones can run into problems. Since each issue has its own fix, finding the right solution can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Today we'll take a look at some iPhone troubleshooting tips to fix all kinds of problems.

One of the most common problems you might experience with your iPhone is that its battery doesn't last because it has degraded. When this happens, you'll end up charging your iPhone more often because the battery can't hold a sufficient charge to last a day. You may also experience unexpected shutdowns and reduced performance.

To check your iPhone battery, launch Settings and head to Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If your battery health has dropped below 80%, consider a battery replacement . If you see anything other than "Peak Performance Capability" then your iPhone has reduced performance to accommodate a failing battery.

While it's normal for iPhone battery health to decline over time, rapid degradation could be due to using a non-MFi-certified charger or cable. Using non-certified charging accessories may damage the battery due to heat build-up and may also take longer to charge your iPhone. To prevent this, you should always stick to MFi-certified chargers .

Another issue you might encounter is your iPhone completely failing to charge. This is often caused by dirt in the charging port. To check, shine a flashlight into the port. If you see any dirt or debris, carefully remove it with a wooden toothpick . Don't forget to wipe your charging cable down too.

If an app isn't working properly or responding on your iPhone, you can force quit it and then relaunch it to fix the issue. To do this on iPhone X or later, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle for a moment to open the app switcher. Then, find the app that's not responding and then swipe it up to close it.

To force quit an app on iPhone SE, iPhone 8, or earlier models, open the app switcher by double-pressing the Home button. Then, swipe to the unresponsive app and swipe it up to close it. After that, relaunch the app, and you should no longer face the issue.

You can solve a huge number of iPhone problems by simply restarting your iPhone . When you opt for restart, your iPhone shuts down all the running apps and background processes. This allows it to free up system resources, clear temporary files, and eliminate any bugs and glitches that might be causing the issue.

To restart your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap "General."

Tap on the "Shut Down" option.

Move the slider to the right to turn off your iPhone.

After that, wait a few seconds, and then long-press the power button to turn on your iPhone. Upon restart, you should no longer face the problem you had before. You can also press and hold the side button and volume up button, or ask Siri to restart your iPhone.

If your iPhone isn't responding at all, and you can't even use its touch screen or buttons, you'll need to force restart your iPhone .

If an app is acting up, won't open, some features are broken, or it frequently crashes, consider updating it. Developers often fix problems with new versions of the app, so grabbing the latest build might just solve your issue.

Let's say you're having trouble with LinkedIn on your iPhone. Then, to update it, open the App Store and search for "LinkedIn."

If an update is available, an "Update" button will appear next to the LinkedIn logo. Tap it to start the update process.

Similarly, you can download updates for any other app installed on your iPhone. You can do this by launching the App Store, tapping on your profile picture, then hitting the "Update All" button.

Sometimes updating apps isn't enough, you also need to update the operating system too . You can update iOS under Settings > General > Software Update.

Updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS will not only ensure that any ongoing issue with your iPhone is resolved but will also add new features and the latest security patches. Your iPhone will restart once the update is complete.

If your device isn't connecting to the internet, you're not receiving calls, or you're experiencing other network issues, resetting your network settings might help. Be aware that resetting network settings will wipe out all saved Wi-Fi passwords so make sure that have the password for your primary Wi-Fi network so you can easily reconnect after the reset.

To reset your network settings, open the Settings app and tap "General." Then, select "Transfer Or Reset iPhone."

Tap "Reset."

Choose "Reset Network Settings."

Enter your device passcode and tap "Reset Network Settings" again.

The Apple logo will appear with a progress bar. Once the reset is complete, your device will automatically restart. Hopefully, your network issues will be resolved!

Your iPhone has a helpful "Reset All Settings" option that can be useful in various situations. This option restores all your customized settings to their default values, including network settings, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards.

This option is useful if you're having problems with your iPhone, such as unexpected behavior, sluggish performance, or connection problems. To use the "Reset All Settings" option, open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Type your device passcode and then tap "Reset All Settings" again.

You'll see the Apple logo and the progress bar indicating the process has begun. Once it's complete, your iPhone will restart automatically.

If you're still facing issues, it might be worth creating a backup of your iPhone and then erasing everything. You can create an iCloud backup under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now or by connecting to a Mac or Windows PC running iTunes.

You should only erase your iPhone if you're confident you have a backup that you can easily restore. Be warned that all of your data will be deleted if you proceed.

To erase data from your iPhone, open the Settings app and navigate to General > Transfer Or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

Tap "Continue."

Enter your device passcode. Then, tap the "Erase iPhone" option.

After that, the iPhone will start erasing all the data of your iPhone. Once the process is complete, restart your iPhone. Upon restart, you'll be given choices on how to restore the backup on your iPhone to access all personal data.

Most problems you encounter with your iPhone can be fixed with a few simple tricks. However, if none of the solutions work or your iPhone has become completely unresponsive, you may need to reinstall the firmware using DFU mode.

Device Firmware Update (DFU) is an advanced recovery mode that can fix problems directly with your iPhone's firmware. While in DFU mode, your iPhone will be powered on, but the operating system won't load. Remember that using DFU mode will erase all your data, so we strongly recommend creating a backup of your iPhone before proceeding.

The specific steps for entering DFU mode and reinstalling the firmware vary depending on your iPhone model. However, the general process involves connecting your iPhone to your Mac or Windows computer. Then, you'll need to perform a specific sequence of button presses to put your iPhone into DFU mode. Once Finder or iTunes recognizes your device, you can follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the firmware.

Is your iPhone issue still happening even after you erased everything and restored the backup? It may be worth erasing everything again and setting up your device as new . If the problem disappears, this will confirm that the issue was something in the backup state.

In that case, you'll need to restore to an older backup. iCloud may allow you to restore a previous version, so you could use one of those (not the most recent) to fix the issue. If you make frequent local backups on your Mac or Windows machine then you might want to try one of those too. You'll lose any data added to your iPhone after that backup was created.

Unfortunately, there's no way around it. You'll have to sacrifice some data to get your iPhone back in working order.

Hopefully these fixes can resolve any issues you have with your iPhone. If you're still having trouble, we recommend taking your iPhone to Apple or an authorized service center for further help.

15 Key iPhone Troubleshooting Tips for All iPhone Models

Having trouble with your iPhone? Here's our iPhone troubleshooting guide with fixes for all kinds of common iPhone issues.

Apple's iPhones might be beautifully crafted pieces of tech that many people regard as the pinnacle of smartphone design, but even they can run into problems.

Here are our top troubleshooting tips for all iPhone iterations. We'll start by looking at some general troubleshooting tips, then focus on model-specific issues.

1. Restart Your iPhone

The number one cure for any tech ailment—iOS or Android, Windows or Mac, TV or printer—is to turn the device off and back on. Indeed, there are very few situations where a simple reboot shouldn't be your first port of call.

The trick works because it resets the software into a stable state after an unexpected sequence of events caused something to break.

The process varies depending on which model of iPhone you have, but we've covered how to restart any iPhone, even if the buttons are broken .

2. Update iOS

if a simple reboot didn't fix your issue, you need to ensure your iPhone is up to date . If you're running an outdated version of iOS, certain apps and features might not be compatible (not to mention the security vulnerabilities this exposes you to).

To update iOS, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update . We've also got some solutions if you can't update your iPhone .

3. Update Your Apps

If you're having issues with a particular app, it's worth ensuring you're running its latest version. That's because developers are constantly releasing bug fixes with each new update, so the issue you're facing may have been fixed.

You can update apps manually via the App Store. In the App Store app, tap your profile photo at the top. Then, scroll down and tap Update All or the specific app you want to update.

4. Force-Close an iPhone App

Sometimes an app's instance will become unresponsive, causing it to freeze.

Force-Close an App on iPhone X or Later

To force-close an app on an iPhone X, swipe up from the bottom of the screen but leave your finger on the screen halfway up. The phone will launch the app switcher. Swipe up on an app card to close it.

Force-Close an App on iPhone SE, iPhone 8, or Earlier

To force-close an app on an iPhone 8 or older, double-press the home button to bring up the app switcher. Swipe left and right to find the app you want to close, then swipe up.

5. Reset Your iPhone's Network Settings

Most connectivity issues can be solved by resetting your network settings. It's easy to do. Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings .

Remember that although you won't lose your valuable data, you will lose any saved Wi-Fi passwords by performing this reset.

6. Reset All Settings on Your iPhone

If you think an erroneous setting (rather than software or hardware) is the root of your problems, you can reset all phone settings without losing your data. Of course, you'll need to put everything back the way it was afterward.

Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings to begin the process.

7. Factory Reset Your iPhone

If you need a nuclear option, you could factory reset your iPhone . It will return your device to its original state. Although this won't cure hardware issues, it should solve most software and OS-related problems.

To reset your iPhone, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings .

Make sure you back up all your iPhone data before you perform a factory reset. You will irrecoverably lose any data you have not backed up.

8. Check Your iPhone's Battery Usage

iPhones generally have excellent battery life, even for power users. But if your device's battery drains unusually quickly, you can try to identify the offending app.

To see which apps use the most juice, go to Settings > Battery. You can check the charts at the bottom to look at the battery usage of various apps over a certain time frame.

9. Review Your iPhone's Battery Health

Batteries can only tolerate a certain number of charge cycles before severely deteriorating. Fortunately, Apple allows you to keep an eye on your iPhone's battery health with ease.

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging to take a look. And if it's lower than 80%, it's time to get a battery replacement.

10. Fix Bluetooth Issues

Bluetooth can act surprisingly finicky for a technology that's so widely used. If you're having problems creating a Bluetooth connection between your iPhone and another device, there are a couple of fixes you can try.

Firstly, remove old devices that you no longer use. It can help avoid conflicts. To unpair a device, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Info > Forget This Device .

Secondly, turn Bluetooth off and on again (sound familiar?). Swipe up from the bottom of the screen on an iPhone 8 or earlier (swipe down from the upper-right for iPhone X and later) to access the Control Center , and tap the Bluetooth icon to toggle it.

11. Fix HomeKit Issues

Some smart home devices are HomeKit-enabled, thus letting you control them from your iPhone using Siri.

If your HomeKit devices are not working as expected, ensure you're logged into the same iCloud account on both your iPhone and the devices themselves. If nothing else works, you can reset your HomeKit connections by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > HomeKit > Reset HomeKit Configuration .

12. Check for Dirt

If you have problems charging your iPhone or using its physical buttons, you should always check for dirt, dust, and other muck that might have built up under the buttons and the Lightning port.

The best way to dislodge the dirt at home is to use a can of compressed air. We have a detailed guide on cleaning your iPhone that should help.

13. Revoke Background Permissions

If your iPhone overheats , you can't use features such as the camera flash. In extreme cases, you might not be able to use your phone at all until it cools down.

Obviously, if you accidentally left your phone in the sun, it's easy to identify the culprit. Car vent clips can also cause overheating . However, if it overheats regularly during normal usage, an intensive background app could be at fault.

To prevent apps from running in the background, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and slide the toggles on a per-app basis as required.

14. Remove the SIM Card

If you've suddenly lost the network signal unexpectedly, a dislodged SIM card could be your issue.

Thankfully, it's easy to remove and reinsert the SIM. You just need a pin or paperclip to open the tray (because nobody keeps Apple's SIM-eject tool, right?).

15. Go to an Apple Store

If you can't fix the issue yourself, it's probably time to book an Apple Store appointment at a Genius Bar . If your device is under warranty or you have Apple Care, the store will fix your iPhone for free, even if it involves sending it away for repair.

iPhone 14 & 13 Troubleshooting Tips

The iPhone 13 and 14 have one common issue related to 5G connectivity. There are also some activation issues, among others, seen on the iPhone 13 . Resetting the Network Settings has been shown to work in these cases.

Some users have also reported Face ID issues on the iPhone 14 Pro. Usually, all you need to do is clean your Face ID sensor or hold your iPhone correctly to get Face ID to unlock it.

iPhone 12 Troubleshooting Tips

Like the iPhone 14, the iPhone 12 also has some Face ID issues. However, one of the most common issues seen is a non-working SIM card.

If you're facing issues on the iPhone 12, consider reading our guide on the biggest iPhone 12 issues and how to fix them .

iPhone 11 Troubleshooting Tips

More than anything, iPhone 11 users seem to have issues related to the battery. Either the battery drains too fast, or it has lost capacity too quickly.

This can be a bothersome issue, as replacing an iPhone's battery can be pricey. With warranties usually expired for this model, users are left to fix it themselves.

Before worrying too much, check out the battery health on your iPhone and see what capacity it's at. It might also be worth taking preventive measures to protect your iPhone's battery health .

iPhone X Troubleshooting Tips

Two problems unique to the iPhone X are accidental automatic emergency calls and green lines on the display.

You can disable the automatic emergency calls by going to Settings > Emergency SOS > Auto Call . But if your iPhone suffers from the green line issue, you must contact Apple Support .

iPhone 8 Troubleshooting Tips

The forced restart method changed on the iPhone 8. If you own one, you'll need to press and release Volume Up , press and release Volume Down , then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Another issue that afflicted a lot of iPhone 8 devices was a swelling battery. If you have this problem, you'll need to contact Apple for a replacement.

iPhone 7 Troubleshooting Tips

The most common iPhone 7 complaint is poor call quality. Apple has acknowledged the problem and offered a list of fixes. Here are the company's suggestions:

• Ensure your iPhone is not in Silent mode.
• Check if your phone's case is blocking the speaker.
• Restart your iPhone.
• Clean any dirt, dust, or debris out of the speaker.
• Make sure your speaker volume is set to the maximum.

It's fair to say they're not particularly helpful suggestions, but that's Apple for you. Anecdotally, some users said Verizon was to blame, so you could try changing carriers if you're desperate.

iPhone 6 Troubleshooting Tips

A few people still use an iPhone 6. It's the phone that was infamously "bendy." So, if you have one, be careful not to place it under physical stress.

That aside, the iPhone 6 was probably the worst iPhone model from a design standpoint:

• It was found to pull people's hair out because of a tiny space between the screen and chassis (solution: don't hold it too close to your ear).
• Users suffered Error 53 messages if they replaced the Home button using a third party; it locked them out of their device.
• The Plus model's optical image stabilization system was defective.
• The touchscreen was prone to failure.

Almost all these issues were only resolved by taking your phone to an Apple Store.

Troubleshoot All Your iPhone Issues

We've gone over fixes for the most common iPhone issues and even included tips for specific models. So, no matter which iPhone you have, there's something for you. Hopefully, one of these helps you fix your issue; you'll likely need to contact an Apple Support agent if not because they'll be able to assist you in more ways than we could.

Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting the Most Common iPhone Problems

Simply put: sometimes your iPhone doesn’t work the way you expect it, or doesn’t work at all. Often there are simple little fixes you can do. Less often it will be a serious problem that will require professional fixing. If your iPhone isn’t working, here’s a roundup of the most basic steps you can take.

Related :  How to Keep Your Battery from Draining; 13 Tips for Stayin’ Alive

Restart a problem app

Apps can get confused and not behave the way that they should. For example, on my iPad the Weather Channel app will sometimes fail to update, still showing the temperature and forecast from the last time I used it several hours earlier. The simple fix is to quit the app and start it again. Double tap the Home button to bring up the carousel of running apps, then slide up on the problem app to quit it. Then tap the app icon to restart it. If you have ongoing problems with an app, try checking our guide for what to do when your iPhone keeps freezing . You can also chat live with Apple support for any issues you encounter.

Restart your iPhone

As with a desktop computer, sometime your iPhone can stop working correctly. And as with a desktop computer, the first thing you should try is restarting your iPhone. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you get a message asking if you want to power off. Slide the button to confirm you want to do so. It will take a minute to power down. When it’s done, press and hold briefly the Sleep/Wake button as you ordinarily would to power on your iPhone.

“Force restart” your iPhone

The very first iPhone I had froze a few days after I got it. It didn’t respond to any touch or press. But having been a Mac user for years, I intuited it was simply a matter of forcing it to restart. If your iPhone freezes and doesn’t respond, press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons until your iPhone shuts off then restarts. (Of course, the obvious first thing to do when your iPhone doesn’t respond is to make sure your battery is charged by plugging it in for a half hour and then trying again.)

Connect to iTunes if your iPhone gets stuck during startup

If you’ve restarted your iPhone and it gets stuck during the process, with the Apple logo being on the screen for a long time, you’ll need to connect it to a desktop computer that has the free iTunes software installed and booted up. Once it’s connected, then do a force restart as described above. However, don’t release the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons when you see the Apple logo. Instead wait until you see the Recovery Mode screen. Then choose the Update option, and iTunes will attempt to reinstall iOS, but without erasing your data. If it takes more than 15 minutes, you may need to try a second time to force restart while connected to iTunes.

Download the latest version of iOS

Another important basic step if your iPhone is misbehaving is to download the latest version of iOS. Sometimes the behavior you’re seeing is a known issue, and Apple will have released a fix. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update has been issued, you’ll see an indication that it’s available. 

Reset All Settings

If your iPhone is slow and/or seems to have various issues, another option is to Reset All Settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This clears all the settings, thereby getting rid of anything that might be problematic — but it retains your data. 

Reset and restore from a backup

In a worst-case scenario, if nothing else is working and your iPhone isn’t useable, you may need to reset your iPhone to its factory settings and then restore from a backup ( here's how to back up your iPhone ). First determine whether you have a current backup by going to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage, and then tapping a device listed under Backups to see the date of your latest backup. Hopefully it will be fairly current. Then go to Settings > General > Reset and tap “Erase all content and settings.” Then proceed to “Choose backup,” and select from the list of available backups in iCloud.

Toggle Airplane Mode on when getting a connection failure

Sometimes your iPhone will fail to connect to your cellular data service or to a Wi-Fi router. Often the fix simply entails turning on Airplane Mode for 30 seconds to disconnect from wireless services and then turning it off. This will cause your iPhone to forget the previous connection and make a fresh one. To turn on Airplane Mode, slide up the Control Panel from the bottom of the home screen and tap the airplane icon. You can also try removing and then reinserting your iPhone’s SIM card.

Try “Forget This Network” for Wi-Fi issues

If you’re having Wi-Fi issues and toggling Airplane Mode doesn’t work, then go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select the particular network. Then tap Forget This Network. Then try reconnecting to it and signing in again.

Try “Renew Lease” for Wi-Fi issues

My desktop computer typically fails to connect to the internet at least a couple times a day, but I can immediately get it working again by renewing the IP number assigned to it. You can also renew the lease on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the “i” to the right of the network name you’re connected to. Then tap Renew Lease.

Reset network settings

Another option if you’re having connection problems is to try resetting the network settings. This resets your Wi-Fi networks and passwords and your cellular settings (as well as VPN and APN settings). Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Check battery usage if you're having excessive battery drain

If your battery drains faster than is typical, there are a couple things to try. A simple first step is to restart your iPhone, which can often fix the problem. The next step would be to go to Settings > Battery to see the details of which apps are using your battery. It not only shows the apps you’ve been actively using, but also how much energy is being drained by apps using your battery in the background. If an app is taking a lot of energy in the background, you might want to turn off "background app refresh" by going to General > Background App Refresh and turning off this feature, or by turning it off for specific apps. In extreme cases you might want to try resetting all settings, or even doing a reset and restore. Read next: what to do if you have a  glitching iphone screen .

Author Details

Jim Karpen holds a Ph.D. in literature and writing, and has a love of gizmos. His doctoral dissertation focused on the revolutionary consequences of digital technologies and anticipated some of the developments taking place in the industry today. Jim has been writing about the Internet and technology since 1994 and has been using Apple's visionary products for decades.

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iPhone Troubleshooting: How to Fix Common iPhone Problems

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Don’t you just hate it when your iPhone starts acting up? We do, too. That’s why we’ve put together this essential guide to help you fix all the common (and some less common) iPhone issues.

These fixes will be quicker than going to an Apple Store and waiting for a Genius Bar appointment, and it won’t cost you a dime.

In this guide we’ll look at, and tell you how to fix the following iPhone problems:

• iPhone Won't Connect to WiFi

iPhone Freezes

• iPhone Won't Update

How to Recover Lost iPhone Data

Iphone overheating.

• iPhone Battery Drains too Quickly
• iPhone Won't Charge

iPhone Touchscreen Not Working

• iPhone Won't Turn On

iPhone is Slow

Forgotten iphone passcode.

• Can't Back Up iPhone to iCloud

…and, if your problem is that you don’t know which iPhone to buy, read our handy guide to the Apple iPhone range .

iPhone Won’t Connect to WiFi

The Problem : Your iPhone won’t connect to a public or private WiFi network.

The Fix : Swipe up to reveal the iPhone’s control centre and tap the WiFi button, wait a few seconds and turn it back on.

This will disconnect you from all WiFi networks and then begin reconnecting.

If this doesn’t work, try the same, but with Airplane Mode.

If the problem persists, head into the phone settings and forget the network Settings > WiFi then tap the network you’re trying to connect to.

Tap Forget This Network . If none of these work, it’s likely a problem with the WiFi network, not your phone. Try resetting the router.

The Problem : Your iPhone grinds to a halt in the middle of tasks, leaving you unable to interact with the phone.

The Fix : Try a force restart. This will shutdown your iPhone, ending all ongoing tasks. Don’t worry, you shouldn’t lose any data like photos or contacts, although you might end up losing the email you were in the middle of writing.

The force restart process differs depending on which iPhone you have:

• iPhone 6 or older : Hold down the Home button and the Power/ Top button until the Apple logo appears .
• iPhone 7/7 Plus : Hold the Volume Down button and the Power button  (right hand side) until the Apple logo appears .
• iPhone 8/ 8 Plus and iPhone X : Press and quickly release the Volume Up button , press and quickly release the Volume Down button , press and hold the Power button (right hand side) until the Apple logo appears .

Credit: Apple

If the problem continues, check if there’s a software update available – if so, install it. If it persists further, try factory resetting your iPhone, making sure you backup any data before you do.

iPhone Won’t Update

The Problem : Your iPhone won’t update to the newest version of iOS.

The Fix : Connect your phone to a PC or Mac and conduct a force restart as we mentioned above, this will put your iPhone into recovery mode.

You should then see an option to update it, tap to update the phone and once the update has completed, your phone should be working again.

If the update option doesn’t appear, you’ll have to restore your phone. This will remove all the data from your iPhone and restore it to its factory settings.

You will, however, get the latest software version and you’ll be able to restore your phone with backed-up content.

The Problem : You’ve lost all the data previously held on your iPhone.

The Fix : Providing you have an iCloud backup, this should be straightforward. You’ll need to sync your phone to iCloud – iPhones do this automatically at night when locked and charging.

If you’re missing content you expect to be there, and it isn’t on your iCloud backup, you’re probably out of luck. You could try taking it to an Apple Store, but we can’t promise they’d be able to get anything back.

The Problem : On a sunny day, if you leave your iPhone in the sun too long, you’ll see a warning telling you that your phone is too hot and it needs to cool down before you can use it again.

The Fix : Please, don’t put it in the fridge or freezer. Remove the case (if you have one) and keep it out of direct sunlight, then simply wait and it should cool down. It can be a good idea to switch on Airplane Mode while waiting for it too cool

You may, alternatively, find that your iPhone is frequently running hot, though not giving you the warning message mentioned above.

The Fix : This happens to a lot of electronic devices over time, from phones to laptops and games consoles. There’s rarely a quick fix, as the problems are often hardware related – an aging processor or battery, for example. But, these are some of the things you can do to alleviate the issue.

• Remove the case : The more surface area of the phone is exposed, the easier it will be for it to regulate its temperature.
• Check the holes : clear dirt, fluff or debris from the charging point or headphone jack.
• Turn off Bluetooth and background app refreshing : The less tasks you processor is having to manage, the cooler it will stay
• Take a break from games : Sad to say, but you might have to park your mobile gaming for the meanwhile, especially if you play graphically-intensive or AR games, such as Pokemon Go.
• Turn off location settings : This will stop apps accessing bluetooth, GPS, or Wifi networks to ascertain your location. It’s often best to put apps on the “While using” setting, so you don’t lose functionality when you’re actually using the app.
• Only charge your phone when it’s cool : Charging the battery causes it to heat up, and charging it while hot only exacerbates the issue.

If your phone is still running too hot, your best bet is to take it to an Apple Store and get a diagnosis on the device or simply buy a new one .

iPhone Battery Drains Too Quickly

The Problem : Your iPhone runs out of battery too quickly.

The Fix : The obvious – though not particularly satisfying – fix is to reduce how much you use your phone. However, there are some tricks to help you eke out a bit more time from your phone:

• Check the Battery Health : This is a new feature introduced in iOS 11. Head to Settings > Battery > Battery Health (Beta) . It tells you how far your battery has degraded over time, and whether you need to change it. This is not Apple ‘planned obsolescence’, either. It’s an issue inherent to all lithium ion batteries.
• Turn Bluetooth off : You need to head into the settings menu to do this, turning it off via the control centre doesn’t actually turn off Bluetooth.
• Turn down screen brightness
• Turn on lower power mode
• Decrease the auto screen lock time
• Turn off background app refresh : Head to Settings > General > Background app refresh .

iPhone won’t Charge

The Problem : When plugged in, the battery doesn’t charge up.

The Fix : Check your charging port for dust and debris (a safety pin or paperclip is good to do this with). If your phone still won’t charge, check your charging cable – does it work with other Apple devices? Does other stuff work in the same wall plug? Do other USB cables work in the USB plug?

If that doesn’t work, try a force restart. If that doesn’t fix it, try a factory reset. If you still can’t charge your phone, head down to an Apple Store.

The Problem : Your phone’s screen has stopped responding, or it has frozen and is stuck on a black screen.

The Fix : The first thing you should do is try a force restart. We’ve detailed how to do that above (anchor link). If that doesn’t work, try charging the phone for up to an hour. If you still don’t see the charging screen, or you see the connect to power screen, try cleaning out charging point and headphone jack, check the USB cable and the wall plug.

If your screen is cracked and has stopped responding, it’s likely to be a hardware problem – meaning you’ll need a new screen. Apple is famously finicky with its warranties, so if they won’t fix it, try an authorised Apple reseller. They often fix screens for less than Apple, though you might lose some functionality (force touch, for example).

iPhone Won’t Turn On

The Problem : Your iPhone won’t turn on or it’s stuck on the logo screen.

The Fix : Try a force restart (anchor link). If that doesn’t work, try charging it for an hour – making sure you check that the USB cable and plug are working, as well as ensuring there’s no dust or debris in the phone’s charging port.

If it still won’t turn on, try taking it to an Apple store as it might be a hardware related issue, such as a completely failed battery.

The Problem : Your iPhone seems to run really slowly, all the time.

The Fix : There are loads of ways to speed up your iPhone: Delete apps you don’t use, turn off background app refreshing, clear your the cache on the Safari web browser.

To see the full list of fixes, check out our Why is My Phone So Slow? Guide.

The Problem : You just can’t remember your iPhone’s passcode, or a message is telling you that your iPhone has been disabled.

The Fix : There’s not much you can do here, other than restore your phone to its factory settings and erase all the data on it. You can, however, promptly restore the phone from a backup.

If you’ve previously synced it with iTunes, simply plug your phone into your PC or Mac and find the “Restore iPhone” button. Then follow instructions, and select “Restore from iTunes Backup”.

If you’ve not synced your phone with iTunes, you can restore from iCloud after putting your iPhone into recovery mode. Again, you’ll need to connect your phone to a PC or Mac then open iTunes – it doesn’t have to be your own computer, either.

While your device is connected, you’ll need to do a force restart, then, when you see the option to restore or update on the computer’s screen, choose restore. iTunes will download the software for your device, and you should be left with a functioning iPhone sans all your old data.

Can’t Back Up iPhone to iCloud

The Problem : Your iPhone won’t backup its data to the iCloud

The Fix : The first thing to do is check whether your iCloud storage limit is full. If it is, you might have to stop backing up or delete some data – photos typically take up a lot of room, and there might be some you don’t need, otherwise, games tend to backup data, as does the Mail app.

If you can’t trim your backup needs sufficiently, it might be worth upgrading your storage plan. For 99 cents a month, you can 50GB’s worth of iCloud storage – ten times the free amount. This small expense is genuinely worth it, and you’re unlikely to fill it up.

Before trying anything else, check if there’s an iOS update available. If that still doesn’t work, try resetting the network settings (this will reset wifi networks and passwords, as well as cellular and VPN settings) to do this, go to Settings > General > Reset (at the bottom of the page) > Reset Network Settings .

If this doesn’t work, try backing it up with iTunes, then deleting your old iCloud backup and then trying the backup again.

What if My iPhone Problem isn’t on Here?

If you can’t find the answer to your problem on here, a good place to start your troubleshooting is with a force restart. This will halt all current processes and will likely stop any sudden software issues you’ve encountered.

If the problem continues to persist, backing up your phone and resetting it to factory settings should stop any strange goings on.

However, if push really does come to shove, take it to an Apple store – but remember that hardware fixes can often be carried out by verified Apple Resellers for a lower price.

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iPhone 4 Problems: What Users Complain about the Most

Selling over 1.7 million phones in a number of days is no small feat. But while the numbers trailing the official iPhone 4 launch in June have been spectacular, reports of the user experience have been marred by a number of unexpected shortcomings. From the infamous Death Grip to yellow screens and broken rear cameras, early adopters have encountered more than their share of issues this time around. Here’s what new iPhone 4 buyers can expect, and how to deal with them if they crop up.

The Death Grip

Reports of poor signal on the iPhone 4 began before it even hit shelves. Walt Mossberg was one of the few journalists privileged enough to get one early without paying thousands of dollars for a stolen model, and reported a “mixed bag” with reception in his review. Consumers echoed his complaints when they got their hands on them days later, quite literally.

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Connecting the bottom and left-hand pieces of the antenna with your hand can cause signal to plummet from full to nothing – the so-called Death Grip. While Apple has flatly denied that the iPhone 4 has a hardware issue, and claims it’s an issue with how the signal is displayed, Consumer Reports confirmed in its own testing that holding the phone a certain way can result in dropped calls, and withheld its “recommended” title as a result.

Remedy : Spend $30 for a bumper case. Or at least, that’s Apple’s almost unbelievably brazen official line. Changing the way you hold your phone is also an option, but if you can’t work around it and find the reception problems too severe, a case is the only sure-fire trick. Cross your fingers, though: The issue seems to have gathered so much negative press, some analysts speculate Apple will issue a recall.

Rear camera stops working

Ever go to take a picture only to find the virtual shutter on your camera is stuck shut? Plenty of iPhone 4 users have. Even if it worked initially, many have found it stops functioning permanently at some point.

Remedy: Don’t bother rebooting or restoring, that hasn’t fixed it for any of the folks in the same boat. Open that calendar and make an appointment at the Genius Bar.

Rear camera white balance doesn’t work

The iPhone 4 rear camera has taken some spectacular outdoor shots and even produced HD video good enough for music videos , but indoors, it’s another story. Many users have reported that faulty automatic white balance causes many low-light shots to take on an extremely yellow cast. Macworld documented it with a side-by-side test of four different cameras, including previous iPhone versions, and only the iPhone 4 seemed to interpret white sheets as yellow.

Remedy : Calls to Apple support have gone without answers, so you’re out of luck for the time being. Most likely, a future firmware update should be able to fix or at least improve the issue.

Yellow discoloration

While the iPhone’s high-resolution Retina display dazzles, some users have turned on their phones to discover that not all is rosy in Retina land. In fact, some of it looks downright yellow. Dozens of early adopters have reported yellow discoloration at the edges of their screen, usually in bands or blotches.

Remedy : Some reports suggest the bonding agent used under the screen, Organofunctional Silane Z-6011, was left uncured in the rush to get iPhones out the door and caused the yellow hue. Waiting a few days has apparently cleared it up for some folks.

Glass easily scratches or breaks

Apple has allayed concerns over all the glass on the iPhone 4 with claims that it’s “Chemically strengthened to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic,” but apparently glass is still glass. And with twice as much of it comes twice the vulnerability. You can find heart-wrenching anecdotal accounts of dropped phones all over the Web, but misfortune also struck several prominent tech sites. Gizmodo’s Ryan Salerno managed to shatter the glass back of his phone the day he bought it from a drop at ear height, and some folks over at Engadget managed to put a nice accidental gouge on their review model within a day, too.

Remedy : Wrap it up. A full wrap-around case will give that fragile steel-and-glass frame something cushier to fall on when it inevitably makes its way to concrete, and a screen protector like Zagg’s InvisibleShield can help protect the vulnerable face (and back, if you get the full body version) from scratching.

Reversed volume buttons

Although it seems to be extremely rare, at least one iPhone 4 user has reported volume buttons that make things louder when you press the “-” key and quieter when you press the “+” key. The phone in question also had the places on the buttons swapped, so technically it’s the symbol on them, not the wiring, which has been botched.

Remedy : Since the vast majority of iPhone users have no issue with their volume keys, this is pretty clearly a hiccup at one of Apple’s suicide-riddled Foxconn factories. Take it back for a replacement, or break out a Sharpie and make it right DIY style.

Check out our Apple iPhone 4 Review.

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I have a confession to make: I'm not good at sticking to a workout routine. I love running, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strength training, etc. In the moment of those exercises and in the post-workout euphoria, I feel amazing. But when it comes to waking up early in the morning to do these things before work? Well, that's where I really struggle.

This has been a problem for a while now. I go to bed with the goal of waking up early and going to the gym, but as I groggily open my eyes to snooze the alarm on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I end up falling back asleep. And I've been repeating this over and over and over again.

Earlier today, Apple announced that new iPads are coming this May. In my eyes, this seems to be “The Chosen One” generation. We’re likely getting an OLED display, a better keyboard (hopefully), and a chip ready to chomp the AI dinner. This gadget shall finally fill the techno-digital void in my life. At last.

Or maybe I am just trying to blindly convince myself to splurge over a thousand dollars for a machine that is “still not a Mac” and “can never be a fully fleshed out workstation.” But hey, people are spending $3,500 on a headset that gives them a headache and $700 for an AI thingamajig that can’t quite figure out what it really wants to do.

The Apple iPhone is one of the best phones on the market, and because of it they don’t often come cheap. There are some great iPhone deals out there, but it’s rare to find significant discounts on newer models without having to commit to a longterm contract with a carrier, and it’s even less frequent you come across one of the best iPhones with a major price drop. This is where shopping refurbished can come in handy. Refurbished iPhones — for the most part — will come backed with a functionality guarantee or extended return window, making refurbished iPhones as safe of a purchase as shopping new. There are a lot of refurbished iPhone models seeing great price drops right now, which is why we’ve done the heavy lifting of rounding up all of the best refurbished iPhone deals. You’ll find them below, as well as some information on which refurbished iPhone might be best for you. iPhone XR -- from $136

A refurbished model but one that's unlocked and comes with a full one-year warranty, the Apple iPhone XR is still pretty stylish for its age. It has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with 1,792 x 828 resolution with Liquid Retina technology ensuring it looks super sharp. Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, it's starting to show its age but still has potential. There's also a 12MP back camera that can shoot 4K videos while the front-facing camera is 7MP and ideal for selfie-taking.

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'Antennagate' just turned 10. Here's how the iPhone 4's antenna issues became one of Apple's biggest scandals of all time.

• This week marked the 10th anniversary of "Antennagate," one of the biggest scandals in Apple history. 
• The scandal began when Apple's iPhone 4 went on sale on June 24, 2010. Customers who bought the phone quickly realized its bars disappeared or calls were dropped altogether when held in the left hand. 
• Apple downplayed the problem as a miscalculation of signal strength, and then CEO Steve Jobs told customers they were simply holding the phone wrong. 
• Apple eventually admitted that the problem was hardware flaw due to a change in the phone's antenna design and offered customers a free bumper case to solve the issue. 
• Two years later, Antennagate was officially put to bed when Apple settled a class action lawsuit over the issue.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Ten years ago this week, the scandal now known as "Antennagate" game to a head. 

Weeks earlier, Apple's latest iPhone, the iPhone 4, had gone on sale worldwide, leading to lines around the block and excited customers showing off their new purchase. But almost immediately, those same excited customers started noticing something strange: The phone seemed to lose its network connection and drop calls when you held it in your left hand. 

What seemed like an odd fluke quickly turned into one of the biggest scandals in Apple's history. 

Now, 10 years later, we look back on how the issue arose and how Apple responded.

On June 7, 2010, Apple unveiled the iPhone 4 at its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference. At the time, Apple described the device as the "thinnest smartphone ever." It featured a high-resolution Retina display and FaceTime for the first time ever.

Source: Apple

The iPhone 4 started at $199 and went on sale on June 24, 2010. Like iPhones before it, the release of the device drew crowds down the block at Apple stores worldwide — in the first three days, the company sold 1.7 million iPhones.

Source: Apple, Bloomberg

But almost immediately, users noticed something odd about their new iPhones: when held in the left hand, the bars that signaled a connection to a wireless network seemed to vanish, and occasionally, calls were dropped entirely.

Source: The New York Times

Frustrated users took to internet forums to attempt to diagnose the problem. A user called FFArchitect seems to have been the first person to identify the issue, posting about it in a forum on MacRumors.

Source: The New York Times , MacRumors

Apple was quick to acknowledge the issue, but downplayed its severity. "Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone." an Apple spokesperson told The New York Times at the time.

Then Apple CEO Steve Jobs also downplayed the issue, placing the responsibility on the user, not Apple. "All phones have sensitive areas. Just avoid holding it in this way," Jobs wrote in an email to Ars Technica at the time. Jobs' condescending response that essentially stated "You're holding it wrong" eventually became a meme in itself.

Source: Ars Technica, Macworld, CNN

But early on in the design process, Apple's most senior antenna expert, Rubén Caballero, had reportedly warned the company's management that there would be issues with the antenna.

Source: Bloomberg

Apple had chosen an antenna design that surrounded the outside of the device, overlaid with a metal band in order to make a thinner, lighter phone. The crux of the problem was the gap between the two antenna bands on the lower corners of the device: Holding the phone in a way that covered those seams resulted in the low signal strength.

Source: Bloomberg, CBS News

But Apple was slow to acknowledge the real problem. On July 2, it put out a letter to customers saying it had discovered the cause of the drop in bars: "Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong," Apple said. The company said this error meant the iPhone 4 was displaying two more bars than it should have been. Apple said the issue would be fixed with a software update.

But things got worse for Apple. On July 12, Consumer Reports announced that it could not recommend the iPhone 4 to customers because of the antenna issues. While the publication quickly found that using a $29 bumper case solved the issue, it refused to back down, saying Apple was obligated to "offer a product that works consistently and reliably out of the box."

Source: The New York Times, PC World , Computer World

Apple scheduled a last-minute press conference for July 16, where Jobs admitted that the device had a hardware issue. "We're not perfect. We know that. You know that. And [our] phones aren't perfect either. We've been working our butts off to understand what the real problems are," Jobs said at the time, describing the problem as "Antennagate."

Source: Wired

While critics at the time may have been anticipating a redesign of the phone, or possibly a recall, Jobs stood by the iPhone 4, but offered customers their choice of a free bumper case. Customers who had already purchased the case would get a refund, Jobs said.

While Jobs reiterated the company's refund policy, he noted the only 0.55% of iPhone 4 buyers had called Apple to complain.

Still, Antennagate remains one of Apple's biggest scandals, given that it happened under Jobs' tenure and elicited such a public response from the company. The saga was finally put to bed in 2012, when Apple settled a class action lawsuit that entitled anyone who bought the iPhone 4 to free bumper case or $15 in cash.

Source: CNET

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How to solve the iPhone 4 antenna problem

How to handle apple's new iphone to get good reception, why a case matters, and skip the scotch tape.

iPhone owners armed with pitchforks and torches are ready to storm the Apple castle over the problems some have experienced, and many have repeated, with making calls, keeping calls alive and holding a data connection.

Reports of call and data signal strength problems in the new iPhone 4 surfaced within hours of the smartphone’s launch last week . By the next day, Apple was acknowledging that holding the iPhone 4 can diminish the signal, but offered only generic advice to “avoid gripping it in the lower left corner” or “use one of the many available cases.”

As they’re want to do, iPhone users have come up with other, more creative ways to work around the problem.

We’ve selected some of the best advice we’ve seen so far. Ready? Flex your fingers. It’s time to grip the problem, and your iPhone 4.

Take Steve Jobs’ advice. Hold it just like this. On the day Apple launched the iPhone 4, Engadget posted a customer message and Steve Jobs’ reply, where Apple’s CEO told the complainer to “Just avoid holding it that way.”

(As with all mail reportedly originating from Jobs, take its veracity with the usual dose of salt.)

Antenna engineer Spencer Webb has dubbed his preferred grip the “Vulcan iPhone pinch,” an allusion to the “Vulcan nerve pinch” used by Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek TV series from the 1960s. Also called the “Death Grip,” the hold minimizes contact with the steel band that encircles the edge of the iPhone 4, which contains the antennas.

According to Webb, the president of antenna design and consulting firm AntennaSys, and the holder of 11 antenna-related patents, the Vulcan pinch consists of holding the iPhone 4 using the middle finger and thumb on either side, with the index finger in a supporting role against the top back.

It doesn’t require the dexterity of Nimoy’s “Live long and prosper” split-fingered hand gesture, but it’s close.

Get a case. Apple says to wrap a case around the iPhone 4 ( It just so happens to have entered the case market with its $30 “bumpers”).

According to Apple, a case prevents skin-to-iPhone contact at the lower-left — the score or gap in the steel band — which can change the cellular antenna’s ability to receive and transmit signals at its designed frequencies.

In fact, antenna guru Webb believes that it’s entirely possible that Apple took a case for granted when it designed the iPhone 4. It appears that assumption, if it was made, was a mistake.

There are scores of cases and skins available for the iPhone 4, so we’re not going to spotlight any one maker. OK, we lied: Grove’s bamboo cases are made in Oregon , our home state, so we’re inserting a shameless plug here.

Our advice: Go with a case maker you’ve gone to before for previous iPhone model protectors.

And don’t pay $100 to someone on eBay for a piece of plastic and rubber that Apple sells for $30.

Don’t cover the gap with tape, or nail polish. Scores of anecdotes on the Internet claim that users have solved their reception problems by taping over the slots in the steel band, or even painting clear nail polish across it.

“Hokum,” says Webb of AntennaSys.

Translation: Don’t bother with such bunkum.

Make your own bumper. Oliver Nelson of theiphoneguru.com explained how to make an Apple bumper-like wrap-around using a rubber wristband, like the kind popularized by Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong cancer foundation.

Depending on your skill with an X-Acto knife, the results may look ugly — Nelson called his “an abomination” — but it should do as good of a job as a $30 bumper.

Move. The fact that some, but not all, iPhone 4 users are reporting reception issues has lead experts to think that location is a factor, that the reduction in reception tips a phone from usable to unusable when it’s at the fringe of coverage.

So move around, head down the block, hold it next to the window. Every cell phone owner has to do this at times. You’re no different just because you have an iPhone

Don’t bother calling AppleCare. If the Boy Genius Report got the goods when it published what it said was the script Apple support reps have been handed, it’s not going to do much good to ring up AppleCare.

According to the talking points, AppleCare reps won’t have any suggestions other than the ones the company has already issued: Hold the iPhone 4 so your hand doesn’t cover the scored slot in the steel band, or buy a cover, case or bumper.

The most interesting points in the script are instructions not to provide any warranty service and not to appease angry customers with a promise of a free $30 Apple bumper.

In other words, the rep will tell you that there’s nothing wrong with the iPhone 4. And you’ll be out the time it took to make the call.

Switch to Skype. If you can’t get a signal, but you’re in range of Wi-Fi — not as unusual as you might think when, say, you’re in a cell-dead high-rise — fire up a VoIP app like Skype.

You can download Skype free of charge from the iTunes App Store, either directly from the iPhone 4, or first to a Mac or PC, then later sync with the phone.

Don’t wait for a software fix. Although there’s been chatter on the Apple support forums that an upgrade to iOS 4 will solve or at least reduce the problem, if the antenna experts like Webb are right, it’s not fixable via software

If all else fails, take it back. When nothing works, and you’re unsatisfied with the iPhone 4’s reception, remember that you have 30 days to return it. The calendar starts flipping on the day you purchase the iPhone, or in the case of online orders, the day it’s shipped.

Apple charges a 10% restocking fee — $19.90 for the stock 16GB model, $29.90 for the 32GB — when you return the iPhone.

Check out Apple’s Sales and Refund Policies (U.S.) for more information.

Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer or subscribe to Gregg’s RSS feed . His e-mail address is [email protected] .

Read more about macintosh in Computerworld’s Macintosh Topic Center.

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Gregg Keizer covers Windows, Office, Apple/enterprise, web browsers, and web apps for Computerworld.

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21 iPhone Problems and their Fixes

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A Guide to Fix 21 common iPhone Problems

iPhone users face various types of problems when they update to new iOS, transfer data from old to new iPhone, jailbreak, or launch any new app on their device. There can be many reasons for iPhone problems from hardware/software related to even some bug in iOS which just needs to be fixed.

Here we compiled for you 21 most common iPhone problems and their fixes.

1. iPhone White Screen of Death

Failed upgrade, jailbreak or hardware problem can lead to iPhone White Screen of Death. You can restart the device. If that fails to resolve the issue, hard reset (factory reset) your iPhone. If hard reset too does not work, boot your iPhone in DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode.

But remember, both hard rest and booting in DFU mode will clear all your settings and data on iPhone. If you confront a situation where your iPhone is stuck at white screen and you do not have iCloud or iTunes backup, then, first recover your complete data through Stellar Recovery for iPhone . Next fix iPhone white screen with hard reset or DFU mode.

2. Lost iPhone Data after Upgrade or Jailbreak

Often after iPhone jailbreak or updating to a new version, you tend to lose iPhone videos, photos, contacts, and messages etc. In any such a situation of iPhone data loss, iCloud and iTunes backup comes as a rescue. But if you want to selectively recover certain type of data like only photos or videos or chats messages, etc., Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone  is the best do-it-yourself software. You can selectively recover the iPhone data you need rather than complete restoration through iTunes/iCloud. Read More

3. Water Damaged iPhone

Spilled a glass of water on your iPhone or accidently dropped it in the swimming pool!

Water damaged iPhones may or may not turn on. There are high chances of losing your iPhone data too. Even Apple does not cover liquid damages in its one-year warranty.

Dry it by rubbing on a towel and remove the SIM card. Do not plug it or turn it on. You can also keep it with silica gel sachets for about two days to dry.

Unfortunately water or any other liquid in your iPhone results in loss of iPhone data. Do not panic. You can recover your lost photos, videos, audios, contacts etc., from iCloud or iTunes backup. If unable to restore from backup, use Stellar Data recovery for iPhone. Read more

4. iPhone Battery Life Problems

iPhone battery draining fast is one of the most common problem of iPhone users across the globe. The battery life problems are usually encountered after an iOS upgrade. The poor iPhone battery performance can be tackled through factory reset, controlling the apps usage that consume high battery such as Uber, Google Maps, YouTube, etc. Also uninstalling the apps like Facebook and YouTube, accessing them though Safari can also considerably save your iPhone battery.

5. iPhone Black Screen

Dropping your iPhone, spilling water on it, updating an app, malware, bad firmware, jailbreak etc., could be the cause of iPhone black screen.

To fix the issue, first begin with charging your iPhone completely to rule out any battery issue.

If the problem persist, restore your iPhone to factory settings via iTunes but this also leads to iPhone data loss. If you do not have a backup, then consider an Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover your lost photos, videos, music, messages, chats, contacts etc., from the device. Read More

6. Overheating iPhone

Have you faced messages like 'iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it?' Complaints of iPhone getting hot to an extent of explosion are not new. To fix overheating iPhone first take the hot device to a cooler environment away from heat or direct sunlight. Remove the iPhone case, stop using for sometimes or better switch it off for few minutes. You can also try 'Reset All Settings' on your iPhone to fix overheating problem. Updating to new iOS also sometimes resolves the issue. Read More

7. iPhone Camera Roll Crash

Camera Roll crash leads to loss of hundreds of photos stored in your iPhone. You are unable to perform any activity on the existing photos or videos in the device. Restoring the iPhone to factory settings is the only way to fix Camera Roll crash. However, factory reset leads to complete loss of photos, videos, notes, contacts, chat messages, etc. Thus, ensure a backup before fixing Camera Roll issue, else Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone  is the only remedy to get back lost data. Read More

8. iTunes Error 3194

You encounter iTunes error 3194 when trying to restore or upgrade your iPhone. It can be either because of wrong firmware version, the iOS version that you are installing is not approved by Apple or you are using a jailbreak utility to upgrade iPhone.

However, this can be fixed by making changes in the host files of your system. You can also do factory reset to fix iTunes error 3194. In case of data loss and absence of backup take help of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to recover all lost data. Read More

9. Forgot iPhone Passcode or iPhone Disabled

Yes you can forget your iPhone passcode. As a result you make several attempts trying to unlock your device. Your iPhone gets disabled asking to retry after 5, 15, 20 minutes, and so on. To unlock your disabled iPhone, reset the device and set a new passcode. Erase the old password by restoring iPhone through iTunes or iCloud. You can also use the Recovery Mode to fix disabled iPhone.

The process to fix disabled iPhone leads to complete data loss including all the passwords, photos, videos, music, Safari bookmarks, contacts, apps, camera roll, chats etc. Thus, recover all data from iCloud backup or use the iPhone recovery software before troubleshooting the problem. Read more

10. iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo

There can be several reasons for your iPhone to get stuck on Apple logo such as jailbreak of iPhone, failed iOS update, during retrieving of data from backup, hardware problems, deletion of some iOS files etc.

You can fix the issue by restarting the iPhone, doing hard reset, or putting the device in Recovery Mode. Remember hard reset leads to complete data loss from your iPhone. You can restore lost data from the backup, else take refuge in an iPhone data recovery solution. Read more

11. iPhone Applications Freezes or Quitting Unexpectedly

An iPhone app can freeze while using or just after launching it. It could be probably because your iOS version does not support the app or the app is not properly installed on your device. If any iPhone app freezes, stops responding, or unexpectedly quits, close the app, restart your device, and again check if the app is working. Sometimes reinstalling the latest version of the app from the App store also resolves the iPhone issue. Read more

12. Apps won't Work in iOS 16

You updated to iOS 16 but the apps won't work? Apple has switched from 32-bit to 64-bit apps with iOS 16. So all the 32-bit apps will refuse to work on your device. Check under settings which of your applications are obsolete.

Tap on the 32-bit app to visit App Store, check if the app has a newer version and update available. If not, then sadly there is not much you can do about it. Just delete the 32-bit applications from your iPhone and probably look for alternatives of similar application.

13. Proximity Sensor Not Working

If your iPhone's display screen is lit during call, it means the proximity sensor is not working. This might also cause problems with touch screen. A faulty proximity center in iPhone can be the manufacturing defect or a software issue. The problem may also occur after you have replaced your iPhone screen. To troubleshoot restart your iPhone, reboot or perform factory reset. You can also restore iPhone with iTunes in DFU mode to fix proximity sensor problem. But do take backup at iCloud and iTunes before performing these tasks.

14. iPhone Touch Screen Not Working

If your iPhone's touch screen is not working, ensure the screen is clean and dry. Next, restart the iPhone, and the touch screen should work. If not, clear the cache data and free up iOS storage space.

In case the screen is damaged, broken, or the iPhone was dropped, then take the device to the authorized Apple service center.

15. iPhone Error 56

iPhone Error 56 usually occurs while restoring the device via iTunes. This may be because of a hardware issue or software conflict. To fix the error 56, use another USB cable, try with another port, or restore your iPhone on other computer. Also close all the third-party software such as games, antivirus etc., on the iPhone before performing upgrade or restoration via iTunes.

If still not fixed, restore iPhone in DFU mode. Since this method deletes all data on iPhone, backup your device before restoring through DFU mode. In case of unfortunate data loss incident use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone  to get back lost or deleted contacts, messages, photos, videos, chats, etc.

16. iPhone 14 Screen Becomes Unresponsive in Cold Weather

Several incidents of iPhone 14 screen not responding in cold weather have been reported by the users in colder countries. Although Apple has announced to soon launch a software update to fix the issue. Till then try locking and unlocking the iPhone as it has helped some to resolve the issue.

17. iPhone Error 53

iPhone models which have fingerprint scanners often face error 53. It occurs when users try to restore their device via iTunes and the device fails the security test by Apple. Fix the error 53 by restoring your iPhone to a latest iOS version.

18. Face ID Not Working

Face ID feature in iPhone 14 allows you to access your device, App store, and iTunes etc., without entering passcode. Complaints of failure of Face ID after the iOS upgrade are common. Reboot the iPhone or simply turn off/on the device to make the Face ID functional. If these does not work, reset the Face ID under Settings. If still unable to fix iPhone X Face ID, contact Apple center.

19. iPhone Speaker Not Working

If you do not hear sound from your iPhone first ensure the device is not on silent mode, the volume button is all up, and Bluetooth is turned off. If you still cannot hear or distorted sound is coming, open any app that has music and set the volume with the slider or volume button.

You can also restart your device, as restarting resolves many phone issues. If none works, the problem could be of hardware. Your iPhone speaker needs to be replaced or repaired.

20. iPhone Bluetooth Problem

Failed Bluetooth connection or unable to pair your iPhone with a Bluetooth device is another common iPhone problem. The initial simple hack is to go to the Settings, turn off and then on the Bluetooth and restart your device. You can also toggle Airplane Mode.

If this does not fix the issue, go to Settings > Bluetooth, select 'Forget this Device' and then again try to pair it. Updating to the newer iOS version also often solves the problem.

21. iPhone Cannot Connect to Wi-Fi

After updating to iOS 16, users complained their iPhone no longer connects to their personal Wi-Fi network.

The initial solution is to restart your iPhone and check the Wi-Fi connection. Make sure that the router is working fine and is updated to latest firmware. It should also support Apple product. If the problem is not resolved, try connecting to Wi-Fi after attempting 'Reset Network Settings' under iPhone's Settings.

However, if these fixes do not lead to success, upgrade to a newer version or restore an earlier version.

Hope the above compilation of most common iPhone problems and their solutions is helpful. If you encountered any iPhone data loss issue and were unable to fix it, you can use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone  to recover missing or accidentally deleted Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Photos, Videos, Call History etc. directly from iPhone or iPad.

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Osmo - Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad & iPhone - 4 Hands-On Learning Games - Ages 3-5 - Problem Solving, Phonics & Creativity (Osmo iPad Base Included), Multicolor

Fire Tablet

Purchase options and add-ons

• Actual product packaging may vary from the image displayed. Components within the box remain the same. OSMO IS MAGIC: Fun-filled & award winning learning games. Children interact with actual hand held pieces & an iPad, bringing a child's game pieces & actions to life (No WiFi necessary for game play). An Osmo Base is included, an iPad is not included, both are required for game play.
• TEACHING: Little Genius Starter Kit includes fun preschool learning toys that will transform how your child learns. The 4 educational games in the kit will help your child recognize letters and learn phonics (ABCs), develop pre-drawing skills (Squiggle Magic), identify social-emotional cues, and experiment with clothes and colors (Costume Party), and develop problem-solving skills (Stories).
• SKILLS LEARNED: 4 educational games - your child will develop creativity, imagination, fine motor skills, verbal proficiency, empathy, and spatial reasoning. These interactive learning games teach core subjects in the most innovative way possible.
• AGE & CAPABILITY: Designed for ages 3-5. Educational games engage preschoolers in core subjects by merging tactile exploration with innovative technology. Beyond fostering creativity and cognitive skills, these educational toys help your child learn in a stress-free environment with instant feedback and encouragement.
• WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Osmo Base & Reflector for iPad, 19 cardboard pretend play costume pieces, 38 silicone sticks/rings (BPA Free and Dishwasher Safe) to practice letter forming, silicone game play mat, stackable storage for game pieces & 4 Game Apps: ABCs, Costume Party, Stories, and Squiggle Magic.
• COMPATIBILITY FOR iPAD: All iPads except Generation 1-4, Air Gen 1, & iPad Mini Gen 1-3. The new iPad 10th Gen, iPad Pro 11” (4th Gen), & iPad Pro 12.9” (6th Gen) are not currently compatible; compatibility coming later in 2023. iPad Reflector 2021 required for: iPad Mini 6, iPad Air 4-5, iPad Pro 11-inch & iPad Pro 12.9-inch. The minimum iOS version needed is iOS 15.
• COMPATIBILITY for iPHONE: iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14, 14 Plus. No other iPhones are compatible. Requires the Osmo iPad base & 2021 reflector hardware. The minimum iOS needed is iOS 14.0.

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Warranty & support, product description.

The preschool entry product into the Osmo universe, the Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad includes everything your child needs to experience - hands-on learning and digital fun in **four** different ways through 4 games. We know kids learn by doing, so each game uses physical action. Engage preschoolers in core subjects and spark imaginations (ABCs, Squiggle Magic, Costume Party & Stories). From pre-reading to problem-solving skills, these games will inspire a new generation of active learners. Osmo games bring a child's creative imagination to life with hand held pieces that interact with an iPad and an Osmo Base (No WiFi necessary for game play). The Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad ships with an Osmo iPad Base. Approved by parents and teachers worldwide, used in over 40,000 classrooms.

Osmo is part of the BYJU's learning products family along with Epic and Tynker. BYJU's helps over 100 Million children in 40+ countries learn smarter, better and more efficiently with the help of fun interactive learning games.

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Safety information.

Choking Hazard - Small Parts

From the brand

Learning for Ages 3-5

A hands-on learning adventure - Little Genius. Spark their imaginations, learn critical skills & have a blast with four learning games!

Learning for Ages 6-10

Genius Starter Kit includes, everything your kids need to experience hands-on learning and digital fun in five different ways.

A New Approach to Reading

Reading Adventure - Exciting games help develop skills in phonics, reading, fluency, reading comprehension & sight words.

Math Wizard Games for Ages 6-8

Turn classroom learning into after-school fun! Practice your math skills (focused on 1st & 2nd grade math). Explore all 5 games!

Coding for Ages 5-10

Transform your tablet into a hands-on coding adventure with Awbie. Explore coding with 3 hands-on learning games.

Creative Drawing for Ages 4-9

Blend your real-life doodles with on-screen action. Take drawing to a new level with three games: Monster, Newton, & Masterpiece.

Tynker Coding all ages

Tynker Coding is the best learning platform for kids & teen. We make coding fun with expert guidance from coaches to ensure success.

BYJU’S Active Learning

Build on what kids learn in school. Our program responds to your child’s learning level to help them master the skills they need most.

From the manufacturer

Osmo is Magic

Little genius starter kit for ipad.

Get started with 4 hands-on learning games for a magical, educational adventure! Ships with an Osmo Base & reflector for iPad.

(iPad not included)

What They'll Learn

Letters & phonics.

Create letters & pictures with game pieces. Gain confidence: learn letters, vocabulary & phonics.

Dress & Feed a Character

Dress & feed a character while practicing empathy & fine motor skills.

Problem Solving

Use creativity, critical thinking & problem solving skills to find solutions & get instant feedback.

Get Kinder Ready

Teaches letter formation, pre-reading & age-appropriate vocabulary. Get ready, set, learn!

Ways To Learn

Build letters with squishy, colorful Sticks & Rings for preschoolers/pre-readers. Learn over 300 words and practice 50+ different phonics sounds.

Squiggle Magic

Create anything you want using Sticks & Rings and then watch them come to life.

Costume Party

Experiment with clothes & colors to make party outfits - gender neutral character. Then watch characters react.

Mix and Match costumes to find silly solutions to obstacles & navigate adventures.

Four Different Ways To Learn & Play

Designed to instill a love for learning, this kit features preschool learning toys that develop the whole brain. These 4 interactive learning games are perfect for early learners to learn core subjects through imaginative, hands-on play.

Osmo is Loved by Teachers!

Osmo is changing the way students collaborate, communicate & create.

Educational toys revolutionize technology use in the classroom, enhancing all subjects by combining hands-on activities with engaging applications. With Osmo, students engage longer and build a better collaborative learning environment.

Osmo is Loved by Parents!

Active screen time.

Transforming how children learn – Osmo merges tactile exploration with innovative technology, actively engaging children in the learning process.

Learning Through Play

Fun & educational screen time.

"I'm playing a real game & not just a game on the iPad. It brings us on an adventure." 8 year child

In over 31,000 classrooms

Teachers love osmo.

"The use of manipulatives enhances the educational experiences." Educator, Matthew Murray

Created in 2013

Experience hands-on learning.

"Understands learning styles & lets children be curious & learn while having fun." Osmo Parent

Osmo Learning System

Using physical game pieces with digital technology.

Is your child a music lover, coder, drawer, or aspiring mathematician? We have educational games.

Learning for Ages 3-12+

Developed by parents, teachers & engineers.

Educational toys let children supplement school learning through active learning experiences.

Compare Osmo Products

What is Osmo?

Osmo makes hands-on learning games in which players use objects in the real world to interact with the digital world shown on their iPad or Fire tablets. Children playing Osmo have so much fun they don't realize they are learning.

How does Osmo work?

Osmo games are designed to work with an iPad or Fire Tablet. Children move at their own pace through as many as 500 puzzles or levels & can adjust the difficulty settings. Osmo games ship with the game essentials. No WiFi is necessary for game play.

What makes Osmo toys good for children?

Children learn best through play. Combining tangible game pieces with an interactive game fires up a child’s imagination, inspires dreams and builds confidence and real-life skills.

How do children play with Osmo?

Osmo merges tactile exploration with innovative technology, actively engaging children in the learning process. Educational games are great for at home or classroom learning and provides the flexibility for children to play together or independently.

How does Osmo compare with other toys?

Osmo products are unique in that they provide meaningful gameplay which inspires learning. These hands-on learning games fuse digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and healthy play experiences designed for all children.

What's in the box

• Osmo iPad Base
• ABCs, Stories, Squiggle Magic, Costume Party
• 38 Silicone Sticks & Rings
• 19 Costume Pieces
• 1 Silicone Play Mat
• Two Stackable Storage Containers

Product guides and documents

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Customer Review: My kid went crazy!

An Earthling

Osmo - Little Genius Starter Kit Review

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Watch Before You Buy Osmo - Little Genius Starter Kit for

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Must have! - Osmo - Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet

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Dad of 4! Honest Review of Osmo Learning Kit!

The Frost Family

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Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality, engagement, design, and dynamic of the game. They say it's a great way to make learning fun for kids. However, some customers have reported issues with performance and value. They mention that the app just doesn't function and is overpriced. Opinions are mixed on ease of use.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the educational games. They say it is a great way to make learning fun for kids, and provides good content. Some customers also mention that the product is based on a wonderful concept, but the company has missed the mark.

"We LOVE Osmo! Such a great introduction into using electronic /mobile devices for young kids...." Read more

"My grand daughter loves this. . It’s educational and fun for her while she uses this and learns and that the same time...." Read more

"...The work pad provided by Osmo is great and of high quality and a must have for all activities...." Read more

" This is excellent ! A gift for my four year old great granddaughterShe loves this and a wonderful learning tool!" Read more

Customers find the gift to be loads of fun, educational, and one of a kind. They also appreciate the interactive, engaging, and wonderful games. Customers also love the idea of the stories game, and say it challenges them. Overall, they say it's perfect for a gift to any child.

"...She’s 4 and it keeps her so entertained . I bought two extra games for it (pizza and drawing pad) they are so fun! And teaches them a lot." Read more

"...Stories (4/5): Stories is an interesting game as you are tasked with helping your character through some struggles they encounter in a given..." Read more

" So much fun and educational! My kids would play for hours if I would let them!!" Read more

Customers find the product great for keeping little ones engaged and entertained. They say the games are age appropriate and the kids will sit and play for a good amount of time. Customers also say the product is great for pre-schoolers who are learning their ABCs or looking to build.

"...I was not expecting much from this product. It is educational, keeps her attention , she isnt worried about completing tasks for coins to purchase..." Read more

"...4th birthday, we gave her this Little Genius kit, and it was perfect for her age !..." Read more

"...They were so easy and needed minimal adult support (just to set up). The lessons started easy and slowly scaffolded the content...." Read more

"...you use the stick pieces with is loads of fun and can keep her entertained for a solid hour !..." Read more

Customers find the design of the toy and game really creative, clever, and cool. They also say it's a good learning tool that invites imagination and uses creativity, receptive language skills, and critical thinking. Customers also mention that the letter game really encourages creativity.

"...It’s so cool once you set everything up and get started. She’s learning while having fun!" Read more

"...I felt the letter game really encourages creativity . Matching shapes and colors. Practice letter sounds...." Read more

"I love the Osmo system for my niece and son. It’s super cute and they LOVE playing with it ...." Read more

"...The numbers and letters and shapes apps are cool and definitely educational. Occasionally glitchy, but my kid loves it." Read more

Customers find the toy set has lots of playability and hours of fun. They also appreciate the different games and features, as well as the variety of activities. Customers also mention that the apps are engaging and fun.

"...Sturdy pieces and storage containers Good variety of activities , both in terms of fun and from an educational standpoint..." Read more

"...They also have games and art programs ...." Read more

"...So great that it’s hands on and engaging. So many variations of play with the different apps ...." Read more

"...The interaction is amazing . So...I needed my own for my grandsons." Read more

Customers are mixed about the ease of use. Some mention that it's easy for toddlers to use and navigate on their own, while others say that it is frustrating, cumbersome, and complex for 2 years old. They also say the included games are not challenging enough.

"...However, the games are kind of limited , boring and slow (even for a 3 year-old)...." Read more

"...It was super easy set up , a couple apps to download (so if you're hard-up for storage that is something to consider), but very easy instructions and..." Read more

"... Not User friendly in this manner and you still have registration bs (emails and codes) to deal with...." Read more

"...The letters shown have colors so it's pretty straightforward for figuring out the best pieces to use once kids get the hang of it...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the performance of the game. They mention that the app doesn't even function on their fire tablet, the story time game didn't work, and the stand didn''t fit. They also say that it's impossible to use and not compatible with all iPad models.

"...It was super easy set up, a couple apps to download (so if you're hard-up for storage that is something to consider), but very easy instructions and..." Read more

"...There is a parent app that is not all that great , and their app to download and use the activities is so-so and semi-confusing...." Read more

"...it set up and all 6 apps downloaded, came to realize that 2 of the apps are not included ; you have to pay an additional fee...." Read more

"...hard time setting this up to our fire tablet when I realized it will not work bc it is missing the adapter for the reflector !..." Read more

Customers find the value of the game to be disappointing and overpriced. They also say the content is disappointing and boring.

"...activity, but the squiggles is fun only in short spurts because it is boring (even though this was the reason I bought is)...." Read more

"...came to realize that 2 of the apps are not included; you have to pay an additional fee ...." Read more

"...But the content is very disappointing .In the stories game, you dress up a kid according to which tools he needs in the game...." Read more

"...This is pretty expensive for what we got. I pay less for Marco Polo for a year and feel like I get more value out of that." Read more

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Iphone software bug: apple confirms it’s working on urgent fix.

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The iPhone Clock app isn't sounding the alarm quite as it should right now.

As noted by Joe Rossignol at MacRumors , there is a software bug on the iPhone which is affecting the alarms in the Clock app. Some users are finding the alarm clock isn’t working and that they are, as a result waking up late.

There have been issues in the past, often related to the clocks going back or a new year, for instance, but the latest issues have been reported on social media which aren’t to do with any of those.

An alarm clock is pretty straightforward: you choose a time for it to wake you and you trust that it will. But some users, as reported by the Today Show on NBC , have been complaining that the iPhone hasn’t been playing the wake-up sound it was instructed to, leaving them to oversleep.

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That’s very annoying, and the news has affected Joanna Stern from the Wall Street Journal in the sense that the Today Show called her. She confirmed, however, that her iPhone is performing properly and at the right time, saying in a post on X , “Today Show called me last night and said iPhone alarms aren't working! I hadn't heard that but Apple confirmed this AM that it is aware of an issue causing some alarms not play a sound and that it's working on a fix. My iPhone alarm woke me up right on time at 6:50AM! Anyone out there having this issue?”

So, the good news is that Apple has confirmed that it’s working on a fix for the issue.

The bad news is we don’t know enough about the issue to be sure how widespread it is or how it manifests itself. We know it’s not affecting everyone and that it’s only failing to play certain sounds, rather than all of them.

Which leaves nobody feeling secure. More on the update as we have it.

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Apple working to fix alarming iPhone issue

• Published 1 May 2024

Apple says it is working quickly to fix an issue that caused some iPhone alarms not to play a sound, giving their slumbering users an unexpected lie-in.

For many people, their phone is an indispensable alarm clock and some over-sleepers turned to social media to vent.

One TikTokker complained that she had set "like five alarms" and they didn't go off.

Apple has confirmed it is aware of the issue - but is yet to spell out what it believes is causing it, or what users can do to avoid a late start.

It is also unclear how many people are affected or whether the problem is restricted to particular models of iPhone.

Concerns were initially raised by the early-risers on NBC's Today Show, which broke the news , external .

In the absence of an official fix, those losing sleep over the problem can try a few simple solutions.

One is to guard against human error - so double check the phone's alarm settings and ensure the volume is turned up.

Others though have pointed the finger at Apple designers, saying a quirk of the iPhones' " attention aware features , external " could be to blame.

When active, these enable an iPhone to check whether a person is paying attention to their device and - if they are - to take action automatically, such as lowering the volume sound of alerts, including alarms.

They are available on iPhone X or later, and iPad Pro 11-inch or iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Apple says.

Some TikTokkers suggested , external that if a slumbering user's face were turned towards the screen of a bedside iPhone then, depending on the phone's settings, the features could be activated and alarms silenced.

Apple says it hopes to remedy the issue rapidly.

But, until then, its time zone-spanning customer base may need to dust off a bit of retro tech, and swap TikTok for the more old-fashioned - but dependable - tick-tock of an alarm clock.

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