Find solutions for common problems affecting your iOS or iPadOS device. When issues arise, the appropriate fix often depends on the nature and severity of the problem. This guide outlines common troubleshooting steps and their typical applications for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Toggling airplane mode on and off
Enabling Airplane Mode temporarily disables all wireless radios, including Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth. Quickly toggling this mode on and then off again can sometimes resolve connectivity issues such as:
- Unstable or unexpectedly lost cellular signal.
- Wi-Fi connection drops and fails to automatically reconnect to a known network.
- Active mobile/cellular data connection but no internet access.
Performing a restart (reboot or soft reset)
Restarting your device—turning it off and then back on—is the standard initial troubleshooting step for many minor issues or glitches. Frequently, common problems affecting iPhones, iPads, or iPod touches can be resolved with this simple action. A restart can be beneficial for scenarios including:
- Applying configuration changes made to apps or system settings.
- Connectivity problems related to Wi-Fi, cellular network, or SIM card (e.g., SIM not detected, ‘No Service’ error).
- Sluggish app performance or immediate app crashes upon opening.
- Apps becoming unresponsive due to apparent internet connection issues.
- App Store downloads stalling or halting progress.
- Bluetooth discovery problems (device’s name not appearing for others, or unable to find other devices).
- AirDrop connectivity failures (e.g., unable to find nearby devices, transfers stalling).
- Sudden camera malfunctions.
- Photos in the gallery failing to load properly (partially or completely).
- App permission inconsistencies despite correct previous configuration.
- A noticeable general decrease in overall device performance.
Performing a force restart (hard reset)
A force restart (or hard reset) is typically reserved for more severe situations, primarily when the device becomes completely unresponsive. If your device is frozen and cannot be restarted using the standard method, a force restart is the next recommended step. This action can be helpful for issues such as:
- The device suddenly freezing or becoming unresponsive for an extended period.
- The device not responding to screen touches or button presses (including the power/side button).
- The boot process stalling during startup (often stuck showing the Apple logo on a black screen).
- The device entering a continuous reboot cycle without fully starting up (bootloop).
- A bootloop occurring after a failed attempt to restore data.
Performing an erase (factory reset)
Erasing all content and settings, also known as a factory reset, completely removes all user data and configurations from the device, returning it to its original state. This action is initiated directly on the device via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Erase All Content and Settings. This option is typically used when:
- You need to quickly wipe all personal data from the device.
- You are preparing to sell your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch or give it to someone else.
Performing a restore (reinstalling the OS)
Reinstalling the operating system via a restore is generally considered a final troubleshooting step when the previously mentioned methods have not resolved the problem on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Like a factory reset, a restore erases all data on the device. However, the critical difference is that an OS restore must be performed using a computer (PC or Mac) connected to the device, utilizing Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (on older macOS versions and Windows). An OS restore is typically necessary when:
- Erasing all device data is required, but accessing the Settings menu is impossible.
- You are preparing the device for sale or transfer to a new owner.
- Significant, abnormal battery drain persists after an iOS or iPadOS update.
- The device screen remains black due to a stuck boot process or a bootloop, and force restarts have failed to resolve it.
- The device displays a ‘Disabled’ message (e.g., “iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes/Finder”).