By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-09-12

100 % Helpful

Why is iPhone 17 Slow? How to Make iPhone 17 Faster

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-09-12 / iPhone 17

iPhones are fast and easy to use, but sometimes your iPhone 17 slow issues can slow you down. You may notice lags, apps taking time to open, or occasional crashes, especially after updates like iOS 18. There’s an easy way to fix these problems.

With a few simple steps like clearing storage, updating apps, or adjusting settings you can make your iPhone 17 run faster and smoother again. It’s easier than you think.

Part 1. Why is My iPhone 17 So Slow

Part 2. How to Make iPhone 17 Faster [Air/Pro/Pro Max Included]

1. Update iOS and Apps
2. Clear Storage and Manage Files
3. Limit Background App Refresh
4. Disable Visual Effects
5. Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone
6. Reset Settings if Necessary
7. Enable Low Power Mode Strategically
8. Reinstall iOS System with Tenorshare ReiBoot
9. Consider Battery Replacement

Part 3. Preventive Tips to Keep iPhone 17 Fast

Part 4. FAQs about iPhone 17 Slow

Part 1. Why is My iPhone 17 So Slow

Your iPhone 17 lagging can happen due to real, common reasons:

Too many apps running: Multiple open apps use RAM and can slow performance.
Full storage: iPhones need free storage to function well; low space can cause lag.
Outdated iOS: Older versions may have bugs or performance issues; updating can help.
Background processes: Apps refreshing or updating in the background use resources.
Cache and temporary files: Accumulated data from apps can slow response times.
Animations and visual effects: Heavy graphics and motion features can affect speed.

Part 2. How to Make iPhone 17 Faster [Air/Pro/Pro Max Included]

Having a iphone 17 feels slow doesn't mean there is something seriously wrong. Most slowdowns happen because of outdated software, full storage, or apps running too much in the background. With a few simple steps, you can make your iPhone faster and smoother.

1. Update iOS and Apps

Updating your iPhone and apps keeps everything running smoothly. iOS updates fix bugs, improve speed, and optimize battery life. Updating apps prevents crashes and reduces lag, making your iPhone feel faster.

Open Settings, go to General, and tap Software Update.
If an update is available, tap update now.

Open the App Store, tap your profile icon at the top, and scroll to see pending updates.
Tap Update All or update apps individually to ensure everything runs smoothly.

2. Clear Storage and Manage Files

A full iPhone can slow things down. Delete apps, photos, videos, and files you don’t need. You can also offload apps you rarely use. Freeing up space helps your iPhone run better.

Open Settings, go to General, and tap iPhone Storage.
Review which apps and files are taking up the most space.
Delete apps you don’t use, remove old photos, videos, or large files.
Offload apps you rarely use without losing their data to free storage.

3. Limit Background App Refresh

Apps running in the background use memory and processing power. Turning off or limiting background refresh for apps you don’t need reduces system load. This makes your iPhone faster and more responsive.

Open Settings, go to General, and tap Background App Refresh.
Turn it off completely or restrict it to specific apps.

Allow only essential apps to refresh in the background to reduce system load and improve responsiveness.

4. Disable Visual Effects

Visual effects and animations on the iPhone can make it look smooth, but they also use processing power. If your iPhone 17 lagging or iPhone 17 feels laggy, turning off some effects can improve performance and make your device more responsive.

Open Settings, go to Accessibility, and tap Motion.
Turn on Reduce Motion to limit animations.

You can also reduce transparency by going to Accessibility > Display & Text Size and enabling Reduce Transparency.

5. Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is an easy and effective way to fix minor lags or glitches. Rebooting closes all apps and background processes that may be causing your iPhone 17 to lag.

Press and hold the power button and the volume button on iPhone 17 models with Face ID until the power-off slider appears.
Slide to power off, wait a few seconds, and then press and hold the power button again until your iPhone turns on.
For older models without Face ID, press and hold the power button until the slider appears, then follow the same steps.

6. Reset Settings if Necessary

If your iphone 17 feels slow after trying other steps, resetting settings can help. This will not delete your apps or data but will reset preferences like Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, and system settings.

Open Settings, go to General, and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset, then select Reset All Settings.
Confirm your choice, and your iPhone will restart with default settings, which can help fix persistent lagging issues.

7. Enable Low Power Mode Strategically

Low Power Mode reduces background activity, lowers visual effects, and slows non-essential processes, helping an iPhone 17 perform faster. Many users notice improved responsiveness and smoother app performance when this mode is used strategically, especially on devices that show signs of lag.

Open Settings, go to Battery, and toggle Low Power Mode on.
Use this mode when apps respond slowly or system performance feels reduced.
Turn it off when full performance is required.

8. Reinstall iOS System with Tenorshare ReiBoot

After trying the usual methods, reinstalling the iOS system can fix deeper software issues that cause lag. Tenorshare ReiBoot is a trusted tool for repairing iOS problems without losing your data.

It can resolve system glitches, crashes, and slow performance caused by corrupted files or failed updates. Many users report that using ReiBoot restores smoothness and responsiveness, even on older or heavily used devices.

Features of Tenorshare ReiBoot:

ReiBoot fixes over 150 iOS system issues without causing data loss.
Supports all iPhone 17 models, including Air, Pro, and Pro Max.
Effectively resolves slow performance, lag, app crashes, and slow internet issues.
Allows safe iOS downgrade or upgrade to solve compatibility or update-related problems.
Provides a user-friendly interface with one-click repair for easy operation.
Fully compatible with the latest iOS versions and updates, ensuring smooth performance.

Steps to Fix iPhone 17 slow with Reiboot:

Download and launch ReiBoot on your computer. Connect your iPhone to it using a USB cable and click Start Repair.

Select Standard Repair from the options. This mode preserves all your data.

Download the latest firmware package, which may take a few minutes. Start the repair process after the download completes.

Once the repair finishes, your iPhone restarts automatically. Check if your iPhone 17 slow or iPhone 17 feels slow issues are resolved.

9. Consider Battery Replacement

A slow iPhone 17 can be caused by an old or worn-out battery. Replacing the battery can restore speed, improve responsiveness, and make apps run smoothly. A degraded battery can also affect internet speed and overall performance.

Visit an Apple Store or an authorized service center to replace the battery safely and get your iPhone running at its full potential.

Part 3. Preventive Tips to Keep iPhone 17 Fast

An iPhone 17 can become laggy over time if it isn’t maintained properly. A few daily habits can keep it running smoothly and prevent slowdowns.

Keep iOS and apps updated to fix bugs, optimize performance, and prevent your iphone 17 lagging.
Avoid filling storage completely, as low free space can slow down apps and overall system performance.
Limit background app activity and notifications to reduce memory usage and system load, keeping your iPhone 17 responsive.
Restart your iPhone regularly to refresh system processes, clear temporary glitches, and maintain smooth performance.

Part 4. FAQs about iPhone 17 Slow

Q1. Do iPhones get slower as they age?

Yes. Over time, iPhones can slow down due to software updates, full storage, and aging batteries.

Q2. Is Apple being sued for battery life?

Yes. Apple faced lawsuits for slowing older iPhones when batteries aged. They now offer battery replacements and performance management.

Q3. Why does 5G+ seem slower?

5G+ can feel slower if the signal is weak, network congestion is high, or your phone switches between 5G and LTE frequently.

Conclusion:

An iPhone 17 slow can be frustrating, but it’s normal. Updating iOS, clearing storage, and limiting background apps can help speed it up. For deeper issues, Tenorshare ReiBootsafely repairs iOS without losing data. Following these steps can make your iPhone 17 fast, smooth, and responsive again.