GeeksModo

iPhone Can’t Connect to a VPN on iOS 26? How to Fix it

Monday August 18, 2025 12:17 am EAT by Kevin Hollington

If you can’t establish a VPN connection on your iPhone after iOS 26 update, you are not alone. Most people who updated to iOS 26 are facing this problem. Various factors can prevent you from establishing a connection to the VPN server, ranging from unstable internet connection to technical difficulties with the VPN provider. Fortunately, you can try the troubleshooting steps below to get it resolved quickly.

1. Perform Some Preliminary Checks

To begin troubleshooting, perform the following preliminary checks, which may resolve the problem right away:

Force quit your VPN app, then reopen it.
Restart your iPhone to fix a minor software problem or connectivity issue with your VPN.
Ensure that your iPhone is connected to the internet.
Run a ping test to check the stability of your network connection. If the ping rate is too high or you get errors during the test, your internet likely isn’t stable.
Keep only one VPN app open at a time. Also, close any other apps that could interfere with the VPN connection.
Check for a VPN app update.

If the preliminary checks don’t help, proceed to the remaining fixes.

2. Change Your Connected Region

Changing the region you’re connecting from can fix an issue with your VPN as well. It’s possible your VPN is having issues establishing connections from one region, but not others.

The way to change your connected region varies depending on your VPN provider. A lot of VPN providers allow you to select your location within their iOS app. Try opening the app to see if you can quickly change your connected region.

For example, TunnelBear lets you quickly change your connection region by tapping on an interactive map.

If your VPN is not connecting to any region, move onto the next step!

3. Delete And Reinstall VPN App

Deleting and reinstalling an app can give it a fresh start if it’s experiencing connectivity issues. One of the app’s files may have become corrupted, which can cause a variety of problems.

Press and hold your VPN app’s icon on the Home screen or in the App Library until the menu appears. Tap Remove App -> Delete App -> Delete to uninstall your VPN app.

Now that the app has been deleted, open the App Store and tap on the Search tab in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Search for the name of your VPN, then tap the cloud button to the right of the app in the search results.

4. Try Other VPN Apps

If you’re still unable to connect to VPN on iOS 26 even after reinstalling the app, there could be a backend or technical issue with your VPN provider. The easiest way to rule out backend issues is to try a different VPN app, preferably one that is more reliable, and connect to one of its servers.

If the connection is successful, then your primary VPN provider may be the culprit. While you wait for your VPN provider to resolve the issue, you can continue using the other app.

However, if you can’t connect to a VPN from the other app as well, there may be an issue with the VPN configuration or your iPhone’s settings. So, apply the remaining fixes.

5. Delete the VPN Profile

A VPN profile enables a device to connect to a private network securely. When you connect to a new VPN for the first time, the app asks for permission to create a new VPN profile. When you grant permission, the app creates a profile, which allows the VPN to monitor or filter your iPhone’s network activity.

The corruption of VPN profiles can also hinder your connection. Therefore, you should delete the existing profile and add it again to rule out this possibility. Here’s how you can do it:

Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
Go to General > VPN & Device Management.
Tap on VPN.
Locate the VPN profile associated with your primary VPN, which isn’t connecting.
Tap the Info (i) button next to the relevant VPN profile.
Tap Delete VPN and then tap Delete in the confirmation popup.
When you reopen the VPN app, it will ask for permission to recreate the VPN profile. Grant access and see if it fixes the problem.

If deleting and re-creating your primary VPN profile doesn’t resolve the issue, delete all other VPN profiles you see in the VPN settings menu other than the one you just created. This may resolve the problem.

6. Change the VPN Protocol

A VPN protocol consists of rules that determine the encryption used for data and the way information travels between your iPhone and a VPN server. Almost all VPN providers offer multiple VPN protocols and are configured to automatically connect to the most appropriate one based on the use case.

The default auto mode is generally the best, but it sometimes malfunctions and causes connection problems. If you’ve also been using the default auto settings, manually switch between available protocols. Depending on your VPN provider, you may need to dig into the app’s settings to change the protocol.

If manually changing the protocol doesn’t resolve the issue, revert the change and switch to auto again.

7. Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings

Reset Network Settings erases all VPN, Wi-Fi, Cellular, and APN settings on your iPhone and restores them to factory defaults. You’ll have to reconfigure your VPN once after the reset is complete. It’s also a good idea to write down your Wi-Fi passwords before performing this reset, as you’ll have to reenter them.

Open Settings and tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your iPhone passcode, then tap Reset Network Settings to confirm the reset. Your iPhone will shut down, reset, then turn on again. Reconnect to the VPN again to see if you can connect successfully this time.

8. Ensure Your ISP Isn’t Blocking Your Connection

Although it rarely happens, restrictions imposed by your ISP can also prevent your iPhone from connecting to the VPN. If resetting the network settings does not work, you need to rule out this possibility. To do that, connect to your cellular network or a different Wi-Fi network to see if changing the internet provider fixes the issue.

If you find that your ISP is the culprit, you may need to try a different VPN app to see if that’s blocked as well. You can also contact your ISP directly to have them look into the issue or switch to a different network provider that doesn’t block VPNs altogether.

9. Contact Your VPN Provider

If you still can’t connect to VPN on iOS 26, it’s time to contact customer support. There may an issue with your account only a customer support representative can resolve. Go to Google and search the name of your VPN provider and “customer support” to find their contact information.

Get Your VPN Working on iOS 26 Again

Having trouble connecting to a VPN after updating to iOS 26 can be frustrating. Hopefully, you now understand why your iPhone fails to connect to a remote VPN server on iOS 26 and how you can fix it using the troubleshooting steps above. Leave a comment down below if you have any other questions about virtual private networks.

Tag: VPN

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Safari Not Working on iOS 26? Here’s How to Fix it

Sunday August 17, 2025 11:41 pm EAT by Kevin Hollington

Safari is the native browser for iPhones. It comes pre-installed on iPhone, and it’s designed to be fast and efficient for it. However, most people are complaining that Safari is not working on their iPhones after updating to iOS 26.

If Safari isn’t working on iOS 26,, it means there’s a setting or software issue. It could also be due to Internet problems.

Follow these simple troubleshooting steps to fix Safari if it’s not working on your iPhone after iOS 26 update.

1. Close And Reopen Safari

Does Safari keep crashing on iOS 26? Closing and reopening Safari can get rid of minor bugs causing crashes. The app gets a fresh start when it’s opened again.

Swipe up from the bottom to the center of the screen. Hold your finger in the center of the screen until the app switcher opens.

Then, swipe Safari up and off the top of the screen. You’ll know Safari is closed when it no longer appears in the app switcher.

Open Safari again to see if it’s working now. If it’s not, move onto the next step!

2. Clear Safari History And Website Data

Your iPhone saves website data every time you visit a webpage in Safari (unless you’re using an private browsing mode. Cached webpages can sometimes prevent websites from loading, and a large amount of saved website data can really slow down Safari over time. You can fix this problem by clearing Safari history and website data. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Select All History, and then tap Clear History. This will erase all extra data in the Safari app. Some users report this works, but you’ll need to do it often if you can’t eliminate storage space elsewhere on your iPhone.

3. Turn Off Safari Suggestions

Turning off Safari Suggestions is one of the simplest and most common fixes for Safari not loading or crashing on iOS 26. While we aren’t sure why this works, many users have reported that turning this off fixes the problem.

To turn off Safari suggestions, go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Safari Suggestions and turn this off. You can also turn off Search Engine Suggestions while you’re there too, as some users reported this also fixes the issue.

Some users have also said that blocking Safari popups on your iPhone can improve the memory usage of Safari. So, you may also want to give this a try.

If this fixes your issue, then you’re all set. If not, try the following steps.

4. Make Sure You Are Connected to The Internet

If you are trying to use Safari over Wi-Fi, try opening another app that uses Wi-Fi to load new content, such as Facebook or Twitter. Is new content loading, or are these apps not working either?

If new content loads, there’s an issue with Safari, not your Wi-Fi network. If content won’t load on Safari, Facebook, X, or another app that requires a Wi-Fi connection, there’s probably an issue with your Wi-Fi network. Check out our other article to learn how to fix Wi-Fi issues on iOS 26.

If you’re trying to use Safari over cellular data, make sure you have service by opening Control Center. 3G, LTE, and 5G speeds will typically be fast enough to load webpages. However, if your iPhone says SOS, SOS Only, No Service or Searching, webpages won’t load. Check out our other article to learn what to do when cellular data is not working on iOS 26.

5. Edit Your Screen Time Settings

If you’ve ever changed your Screen Time settings or blocked certain websites through Screen Time, try turning these settings off. To block websites, you need to enable Content Restrictions which can inadvertently block websites you still want to use. If you can’t load a link from an email or text message, this could also be a sign that content restrictions are on.

To fix this issue, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn this option off. If it was on, then this was most likely your issue. If it was off already, proceed to the next fix.

6. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can fix a variety of small software issues, including one that may be preventing Safari from working. If Safari is frozen or just a blank white screen, restarting your iPhone can also fix these problems.

Press and hold the side button and either volume button simultaneously until slide to power off appears on the screen. Swipe the Slide to Power Off slider from left to right to turn off your iPhone. Wait about a minute to let your iPhone completely shut down. Then, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

7. Update iOS to the Latest iOS 26 Version

Some users have reported that updating their iPhone to the latest iOS 26 version resolves issues with Safari. Whether Safari isn’t loading, is crashing, or just isn’t connecting to websites, try updating iOS on your iPhone.

Apple does a great job of fixing bugs with iOS updates. Since Safari is a native iOS app, updating your iPhone is the only way to update the app too. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Update Now if an iOS update is available. After the update is complete, open Safari and see if it’s working again.

8. Reset Your Network Settings

If you’ve had issues with your network before, like not getting service or pages timing out, resetting your Network Settings could help.

To reset the Network Settings on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset only your Network Settings and won’t erase any other data on your iPhone.

After the reset is complete, try opening Safari to see if it’s working again. If not, proceed to the next fix.

9. Reset to Factory Default Settings

If all else fails, you can try resetting your iPhone to the default settings. This will erase all the data on your iPhone, and you’ll have to set it up from scratch. However, this is also a very effective way to resolve all kinds of software problems. To do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

After resetting to the default settings, test out the Safari app before you install your usual apps. If Safari is working then but stops working when a certain app is installed, that means the app installed is interfering with Safari.

If Safari isn’t working when you have a fresh install, make sure you didn’t restore a backup of your iPhone. If you restored a backup, there could be something interfering with Safari that transferred over. If you reset your device without a backup and Safari still doesn’t work, you can try one of the two last troubleshooting steps.

10. Turn On JavaScript

JavaScript is on by default on iOS 26. However, if you’re having issues with Safari, it’s likely that JavaScript is off. Sometimes, one might turn JavasScript off as some websites might not support it.

If you’ve turned JavaScript off or want to check if it’s off and turn it back on, go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced.

11. Use an Alternative Browser

If you’ve tried all of the fixes above and Safari still isn’t working on iOS 26, then unfortunately, there might be a major bug with Safari, and you’ll need to wait for the next iOS 26 update and hope it’s patched. Until then, you can try using an alternative browser to access the internet on your iPhone. There are many great browsers available in the App Store that can cater to your needs.

Be sure to check back for iOS updates and see if Apple has addressed the bug. You can also start a new discussion in the Apple Discussions Community to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. You can also contact Apple. Apple provides support online, over-the-phone, through the mail, and in-person. Visit their support website to find the best option for you.

Safari Not Working After iOS 26 Update? It’s Most Likely a Software Issue

Cracked screens and broken buttons are easy to diagnose as we can instantly see what’s wrong. But when Safari or other apps on your iPhone stop working, that usually means a software issue is at play.

You can usually fix these issues by updating iOS, changing your settings, or resetting your device. However, if the issue still isn’t fixed after trying everything above, you might need to post in the Apple forum about your issue or contact Apple for more help.

Tag: Safari

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Contacts disappeared from iPhone after IOS 26 update? Fix

Sunday August 17, 2025 9:52 pm EAT by Kevin Hollington

Did you update your iPhone to iOS 26 and now some or all of your contacts disappeared from your iPhone?

If contacts aren’t showing up on your iPhone after iOS 26 update, you can use this guide as a fix. But before we dive into the different options, remember that various problems can make your iPhone contacts disappear.

And therefore, there are various solutions that you can use to fix it. So, try each of these methods and see which one helps to restore contacts on your iPhone.

1. Restart Your iPhone

One of the first steps you should try if contacts disappeared after iOS 26 update is to restart your iPhone. Sometimes an iOS glitch might be preventing your iPhone from displaying contacts, an a simple restart may get rid of the minor issues you’re facing. Simply turn your iPhone off it back on. Once your iPhone is back up and running, confirm if your contacts have been restored. If not, move on to the next solution.

2. Resync Your Contacts With iCloud

If contacts are still missing on your iPhone, try resyncing your Contacts app with iCloud. We’ll do this by disabling iCloud access to Contacts and then re-enabling it again. Here’s how:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
Tap iCloud.
Tap See All.
Toggle off Contacts.
Select Keep on My iPhone to save copies of synced contacts to your iPhone. You can also select Delete from My iPhone if you want. Don’t worry; this option doesn’t make your contacts disappear.
Re-enable Contacts again. And if your iPhone asks to merge existing contacts, select Merge.

After that, give your device a few minutes, then check to see if your contacts have been restored. If you’re still facing problems, read on for more solutions.

3. Show All Contacts in Your Phone App

Contacts might not show up on your iPhone because you have hidden some of them. You may not know this, but your iPhone usually places your contacts in groups based on your connected accounts. To see all your contacts, no matter their group, you need to ensure all groups are visible.

So, follow these steps to show hidden contact groups:

Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
Tap the Contacts tab.
Tap All Contacts at the top to view all your saved contacts. If you don’t see All Contacts button, tap back button.

If some contacts from a particular account weren’t showing up on your iPhone after iOS 26 update, this should fix the issue. However, read on if you still don’t see all your contacts.

4. Add All Your Accounts to Your iPhone

If you have several accounts that you use, chances are contacts might be saved across them. To fix this, you need to add all your accounts to your iPhone to ensure you have access to all your contacts. So, follow these steps to add an account to your iPhone:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and select Apps.
Tap Contacts.
Tap Contact Accounts. You’ll see all accounts that are currently added to your iPhone.
Tap Add Account, select the type of account, and log in using your credentials.

After successful login, the account will appear under Settings > Apps > Contacts > Contact Accounts.

If you don’t see any contacts from the newly added account, follow the steps in the next tip to ensure contact visibility.

5. Modify Your Contact Account Settings

Your Accounts settings also affect the visibility of your contacts. You need to ensure that all your connected accounts have Contacts sync enabled. To do this, follow these steps:

Launch the Settings app on you’re iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Apps.
Tap Contacts.
Tap Contact Accounts. You will see all your connected accounts listed here.
Tap each account and ensure Contacts is toggled on.

If contacts from one of your connected accounts weren’t showing up on your iPhone, this should help fix the issue.

Additionally, you can try disabling and enabling Short Name on your iPhone. While this feature is handy to ensure more names fit on the screen, it can sometimes be problematic. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > Contacts > Short Name. Disable Short Name, then wait about 15 seconds then turn it on.

6. Rebuild Your iPhone Contacts

Another way to restore contacts that disappeared after iOS 26 update is by force rebuilding them. To do this, you’ll have to edit one of your contacts first, then restart your iPhone. Here’s how:

First, select any visible contact from the Phone app and select Edit in the top right.
Add some new details—they don’t have to be accurate. You can add a fake email, address, note, or anything.
Once done, tap Done in the top right and then restart your iPhone.

When your iPhone powers on, it will have to rebuild all the contact names and details. Once your iPhone restores all the contacts, you can delete the fake information you added to the contact above. Check if your contacts have been restored after a few minutes. If this doesn’t solve your issue, try data recovery tools.

7. Recover Lost Data Using iCloud or Data Recovery Tools

Before you try third-party data recovery tools, we advise using iCloud first.

Go to icloud.com/contacts, then sign in to your Apple Account (if necessary).
Click the App Launcher button in the toolbar, then click Data Recovery.
Click Restore Contacts. Available versions are listed by the date and time they were archived.
To the right of the version you want to restore, click Restore.

There may be more versions than can be displayed. Scroll to see them all.

Note: Wait until iCloud finishes restoring your contacts before you change them. During the restore process, any changes you make aren’t saved

Tip: If you recently deleted a contact either from iCloud.com or your iPhone, it may take up to 24 hours for the archive to appear.

If that doesn’t work, you can try using third-party data recovery tools to restore your contacts. There are a variety of affordable tools on the market for the job.

8. Seek the Help of Apple Support

If all else fails or you don’t want to spend money on third-party data recovery tools, you can get tech support with the Apple Support app for more assistance.

Alternatively, you can reach out to them via Apple’s support website. Either way, a certified expert should help sort out the issue in more ways than we could.

Restore Missing Contacts After iOS 26 Update

Contacts disappeared after iOS 26 update issue has been reported by many iPhone users. If it has also happened to you, don’t panic. There are a variety of ways to restore missing contacts. In summary, you could restart your iPhone, resync with iCloud, show all contacts in your Phone app, add all accounts to your iPhone, modify account settings, or force rebuild your contacts.

If none of these solutions work for you, you can try restoring lost contacts from your iCloud backups. If that fails, make sure to contact Apple’s support team for further help. Using third-party data recovery tools should be your last resort, as you will certainly have to pay for it. Hopefully, one of the free methods works for you.

Tags: Contacts, iOS 26

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How to fix iPhone black screen issue on iOS 26

Sunday August 17, 2025 8:48 pm EAT by Kevin Hollington

Black screens might appear if your iPhone overheats, encounters a major error, or the screen itself breaks.
To fix iPhone black screen on iOS 26, you should first plug your phone into a charger to make sure that it isn’t simply out of battery.
If you’re lucky, a force restart may be all you need to fix your iPhone black screen issue. Otherwise, you’ll need a computer.
If Find My is enabled, or you’re connecting your iPhone to a computer for the first time, you cannot restore it using Finder or the Apple Devices app.
If software fixes fail, physical damage might be the culprit. Take your iPhone to Apple or an authorized service provider to diagnose and resolve hardware issues.

are you facing the black screen of death after iOS 26 update? The black screen of death occurs when an iPhone is completely unresponsive. Sometimes, you’ll hear alerts and feel vibrations, but you won’t be able to interact with your phone. Although physical damage is often the culprit, you shouldn’t rule out system glitches.

Luckily, there are ways to fix nearly every “Black Screen of Death” glitch on your iPhone. Depending on the problem, you might just need to leave the iPhone alone for a while, or plug it into your computer.

Here’s what to do if your iPhone has the black screen of death after updating to iOS 26, and some tips for preventing black screens in the future.

How to fix iOS 26 black screen

1. Charge your iPhone

The first thing you should do to fix iOS 26 black screen is to check that your iPhone’s battery isn’t dead. When you try to interact with an uncharged iPhone, it’ll usually flash an empty battery icon. But if the battery’s been totally drained, the screen might go completely blank.

Plug your iPhone into a working charger and leave it for at least an hour. If you come back and it still showing a black screen, then you can move onto the next steps.

Quick tip: You should also feel the back of your iPhone, without its case. If it’s incredibly hot, your iPhone might be overheating and will need to cool down before you can use it again. Leave it in a cool area for a while.

2. Force Restart Your iPhone

The next thing you should do when encountering the black screen on iOS 26 is force restarting your iPhone. This is different from a regular reboot, and it’s useful when you can’t shut your iPhone down normally.

Force restarting requires a combination of button presses and can take a few tries since you’ll need to press each button quickly. Quickly press the volume up button, then the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo appear.

3. Restore Your iPhone With Apple Devices or Finder

If your iPhone screen is still black even after you’ve tried force restarting it, you’ll need to factory reset it. You can do this using the Apple Devices app for Windows or Finder on macOS.

Restoring your iPhone with the Apple Devices app or Finder will erase all its data and bring it to factory settings. So, only try this if you have a recent backup so that you don’t lose all your data.

Note that this method will only work if you’ve connected your iPhone to Apple Devices or Finder before. That’s because when you connect your iPhone to a computer for the first time, you’ll get an alert on your iPhone (and your computer), prompting you to trust the device.

You can’t tap Trust on an iPhone showing a black screen, so you’ll have to hard reset your iPhone using the recovery or DFU mode, which we’ll discuss later.

Additionally, you can only proceed with these steps if you have Find My disabled on your iPhone. Otherwise, you’ll get an alert message prompting you to turn off Find My during the process. In this case, you’ll need to disable the Find My feature from iCloud and erase your iPhone remotely.

As long as you meet the above requirements, you’re all set. Simply connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac using a USB cable. Launch the Apple Devices app or Finder, and follow the steps mentioned below:

Click [Your Name]’s iPhone under the Locations header on the sidebar. You can skip this step if you’re using Apple Devices.
Head to the General tab and click Restore iPhone on the right.
When prompted to back up your settings before restoring your iPhone, click Back Up.
Next, click Restore when you get a confirmation pop-up.

The process may take several minutes to complete. So, be patient. Once it’s done, you can restore your iPhone from a backup.

4. Use Recovery Mode to Factory Reset Your iPhone

Recovery mode is a feature that lets you connect your iPhone to a computer so the computer can repair it. It usually does this by installing a fresh version of iOS, the software that your phone runs on.

Entering recovery mode on your iPhone requires you to force restart your device once you connect it to your computer and launch Apple Devices or Finder.

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Then, repeat the same with the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

The Apple Devices app or Finder will now show a pop-up message indicating that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode, after which you can choose to Update or Restore your device.

5. Take Your iPhone to Apple

If none of these solutions work, the black screen of death is likely due to physical damage or other hardware issues. In that case, you must contact Apple Support or take your iPhone to a nearby Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. It’s easy to make an Apple Store appointment at a Genius Bar.

Remember that Apple’s standard one-year warranty doesn’t cover replacements or repairs for damaged screens. So, unless you’ve spent money on an AppleCare extended warranty plan, you’ll have to pay a fee to get your iPhone serviced.

How to prevent black screens on your iPhone in the future

Hitting an unresponsive black screen can be scary, especially if your iPhone plays a critical role in your job or social life. So once you’ve fixed the iOS 26 black screen issue, take steps to make sure that it doesn’t come back.

Uninstall glitchy apps

If the black screens started appearing on your iPhone after you installed a certain app, the two might be connected.

Uninstall any apps you’ve downloaded recently and continue using your phone. If the black screens stop happening, you know what caused it.

Keep your iPhone at a normal temperature

Despite its price, the iPhone is a delicate device that needs to be handled carefully. Obviously, this means that you shouldn’t drop it or smother it in honey. But it also means that you need to keep track of its temperature.

An iPhone that gets too hot or too cold will shut down and give you a black screen — worst case scenario, your battery might short out permanently. This can be a big problem if you’re trying to run multiple high-performance apps at once, or have your iPhone in a thick case that traps heat.

Apple recommends storing your iPhone in areas where the temperature ranges from -4º to 113º F (or -20º and 45º C).

In some cases, your iPhone might freeze and show a warning message telling you to let it cool down. If you see this, move to a cooler area and leave your iPhone alone for a while.

Factory reset your iPhone

If you keep hitting black screens despite uninstalling recent apps, there might be an issue with your version of iOS 26. You can put the iPhone into recovery mode, like we described earlier, or you can factory reset it.

Factory resetting an iPhone will erase all of its data, and return the phone to the state it was in when you bought it. It’s an extreme but incredibly useful way to fix major glitches.

Important: Be sure to back up your personal data before performing a factory reset.
To factory reset your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone. On the screen that appears, select Erase All Content and Settings.

Although the black screen on iOS 26 can be an immediate cause for concern, it’s worth trying a few software fixes before seeking professional help, especially if you haven’t physically damaged your iPhone. However, in case of hardware issues, you have no choice but to contact Apple or a third-party service provider for expert assistance.

Tag: iOS 26

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iPhone Keeps Restarting After iOS 26 Update? Here’s The Fix

Sunday August 17, 2025 8:25 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

An iPhone that keeps restarting after iOS 26 update is a serious but uncommon problem.
If you can, back up your iPhone’s data to iCloud or your computer so you don’t lose all your personal data if catastrophe strikes.
Here are the most common troubleshooting steps you can try to fix an iPhone that keeps restarting after iOS 26 update.

Does your iPhone keep restarting after iOS 26 update? An iPhone that is stuck in a restart loop is unusable. You see the black screen with the wheel in the middle, but as soon as your iPhone turns on, it turns back off on it’s own.

If your iPhone keeps crashing after upgrading to iOS 26, don’t worry, there are some simple steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Why Does My iPhone Keep Restarting on iOS 26?

Your iPhone keep restarting on iOS 26 because of a software problem. I decided to write this article after a friend messaged me asking for help. His iPhone began restarting randomly after he updated to iOS 26. This problem isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.

If you’re seeing the black screen with the white wheel in the middle of your iPhone, or if your iPhone just keeps restarting, you’re in the right place. We’ll start with the simplest fixes and get more complicated as we go.

Back up your iPhone

The first thing you should do if your iPhone keeps crashing after iOS 26 update is to back up your device. If your iPhone is continuously restarting so frequently that it’s not usable at all, this step may not apply to you. But if you can, back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer because, if your phone’s hardware is failing, you might not get many more chances to safeguard your data and could lose everything stored on your iPhone.

How to fix iPhone keeps restarting after iOS 26 update

Force-restart your iPhone

If your iPhone is stuck in a loop of endless restarts after iOS 26 update, you might be able to break the cycle by performing a hard reset. Press and quickly release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button. Release the Side button when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS 26 version

It’s possible that a critical bug or some other incompatibility in your current version of iOS 26 is causing your iPhone to keep restarting. Luckily, Apple releases bugs for software issues all the time, and this problem may have been resolved by the time you read this article! To check if a new iOS 26 update is available, go to Settings and then tap General. Tap Software Update. If there’s an update available, install it.

Determine If An App Is Causing Your iPhone To Restart

It’s very rare for an app to cause an iPhone to restart or turn on and off repeatedly. For the most part, the software on your iPhone is shielded from problem apps. That being said, there are over 1.9 million apps in the App Store and they’re not all perfect.

If you installed an app just before your iPhone entered a restart loop, uninstall that app and see if the problem resolves itself.

If not, you can still check a log that your iPhone generates to see if there’s an easy-to-spot problem. Open the Settings app and then tap Privacy & Security. Tap Analytics & Improvements and then tap Analytics Data. Here you’ll see a long list of reports. They’re not especially easy to read, but you should scan the most recent reports to see if a specific app is mentioned more than once. If so, it might be causing critical errors. Uninstall the app and see if that solves your problem.

Even if you don’t have any leads on a problematic app, you should still make sure they’re all up to date. Open the App Store app and tap your account icon at the upper-right. If any apps require an update, you should see a section called Available Updates. Tap Update All.

Reset all your settings

Your iPhone manages a lot of settings — everything from WiFi passwords and network configurations to location and privacy settings. While it’s not likely any of these settings are causing your iPhone to randomly restart, it’s a possibility.

The most likely culprit is your network settings, so you should reset that first and see if it solves your problem. Open the Settings app and then tap General. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, followed by Reset. Finally, tap Reset Network Settings and confirm you want to do this.

If that doesn’t solve your problem, then you can come back to the Reset menu and choose Reset All Settings. This will erase a broader range of personalized settings, so save it for a close-to-last resort.

Reset your iPhone to factory conditions

If absolutely nothing has made your iPhone stop restarting, you’re down to your final option before contacting Apple for customer support: Reset the iPhone to its factory conditions, erasing all apps and data stored on it. If the problem is caused by any sort of software glitch, this will fix your iPhone.

When you factory reset your iPhone, remember not to let iOS automatically restore your apps and data right away. Start with a “factory fresh” iPhone and see if the restarting problem is fixed. If it is, you might try to restore your data. If the problem returns, you’ll need to factory reset your iPhone and then manually reinstall apps from scratch — do not restore from a backup, because the glitch causing the problem is somewhere in your data. You’ll need to start fresh.

Contact Apple for customer support

If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps and your iPhone still keeps restarting on iOS 26, it’s likely the problem is not software related, but you have a hardware problem. That’s not something you can solve on your own, so you should contact Apple’s customer support and see if the phone needs to be serviced or replaced.

You can also visit your local Apple Store to get help. If you choose to do so, make sure you have an appointment with the Genius Bar so you don’t have to wait in line for long.

iPhone: Not Restarting Any More!

By this point, I hope we’ve fixed the problem that caused your iPhone to keep restarting after updating to iOS 26. I’d like to hear your experience in the comments section below, and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Tag: iOS 26

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Apps Keep Crashing on Your iPhone After iOS 26 Update? Fix

Sunday August 17, 2025 7:47 pm EAT by Kevin Hollington

Did you update your iPhone to iOS 26 and now your apps keeps crashing?

So, why are your iPhone apps suddenly crashing on iOS 26? There are many reasons why you may be experiencing this problem. Because of this, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for fixing crashing iPhone apps on iOS 26. However, with a bit of troubleshooting, you’ll be able to get back to your favorite apps and games no time. Let’s look at the solutions you can apply when your apps keep closing on your iPhone after iOS 26 update.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

If your app requires an internet connection to function, poor Wi-Fi or hotspot connection may cause app to crash on your iPhone repeatedly. You can test whether your internet is functional with a simple Google search on the Safari app and loading some web pages.

To solve Wi-Fi connection problems on your iPhone, try to restart your router, connect to a different Wi-Fi network, or apply these solutions if your iPhone’s hotspot isn’t working.

2. Charge Your iPhone

If you’re playing a multiplayer game with high-quality graphics, yet there’s only a battery level of 10 percent left on your iPhone, your app might close abruptly because your device is struggling to provide enough power to support it.

If it’s an urgent case, quickly plugging in your iPhone to charge it may temporarily prevent the app from crashing again. However, it’s not advisable to frequently charge your iPhone this way.

Heavy usage of your iPhone while charging will likely result in overheating. This might cause your iPhone to lag and close apps. It’s also bad practice if you want to maintain your iPhone’s battery health.

3. Close and Relaunch the App

Even if an app closes abruptly on your iPhone, it may still be open in the background, albeit unresponsive. When you re-open the app from the App Switcher, it may only display a blank screen and crash once more.

In this case, try exiting the app completely before relaunching it. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to launch the App Switcher, swipe left or right to find the opened app, and swipe up to close it. Then, head to your Home Screen to relaunch the app.

4. Update the App

Your apps may be crushing on your iPhone because they are not optimized to work with iOS 26. Thankfully, developers usually release app updates after iOS updates to fix bugs and patch other performance issues. When your apps keep crashing on iOS 26, updating them may just be the trick to solving the problem.

To quickly check whether a specific app has an update, go to the App Store and search for the app. If an update is available, you’ll see an Update button instead of the usual Open button. Tap on Update button to update the app.

5. Update Your iPhone

Another possible reason why your iPhone apps keep crashing on iOS 26 is due to a software glitch. This is especially true if native iOS app is crashing. Simply update your iPhone’s software to fix the problem.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available for your device. If there is a pending update, tap Update Now and follow the onscreen instructions.

6. Restart Your iPhone

The next fix to try when your iPhone apps keep crashing on iOS 26 is to reboot your phone. It’s easy to do: just press and hold the side button and either volume button until Slide To Power Off slider appears.

Drag the slider from left to right to turn off your iPhone. Wait 15 seconds or so, until your iPhone has shut all the way off, and then turn your iPhone back on by holding the side button down until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Try opening an app once your iPhone has fully restarted.

7. Remove and Reinstall the App

If only one or two of your iPhone apps keep crashing after iOS 26 update, your next course of action is to reinstall the problematic iPhone apps. In-short, the process involves deleting and re-downloading the crashing applications from the App Store.

To delete an app, find its icon on the Home screen or App Library. Press and hold the app icon until the menu appears. Tap Remove App > Delete App > Delete to uninstall the app on your iPhone.

To reinstall, open the App Store app and search for the application you just deleted. Once you’ve found it, tap the Cloud icon to the right of its name. The app will then be reinstalled on your iPhone and appear on the Home screen.

8. Check Your iPhone’s Storage

Low storage space may affect your iPhone performance and cause your apps to keep crashing. If your iPhone storage is indeed nearly full, it’s best to start creating free space on iOS.

To check the available storage space on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Here you’ll see remaining storage space on your iPhone and an overview of the apps taking up the most storage space. And if you see any apps you don’t use, make sure to remove them.

9. Reset All Settings

If your iPhone apps are still crashing on iOS 26, the next step is to reset all settings on your phone. This procedure restores all your iPhone’s settings to their default or factory state. Go to Settings > General, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone. Select Reset and choose Reset All Settings.

Your iPhone won’t delete any data as long as you don’t accidentally choose to Erase All Content and Settings.

iPhone Apps Still Keep Crashing? Your Device May Not Be the Problem

If you have tried all the above solutions, the issue may be the app itself when it keeps closing. Although this is beyond your control, there are still some steps you can take.

Check if an App Update Is in Development

An iPhone app that keeps crashing for many users is no small issue. Visit the app’s official website or social media pages. Here, developers may announce that they are aware of the issue and are working on a hotfix or update to fix it.

This way, you will know whether or not the developers plan to fix the crashing issue in a future update. And if they are, all you need to do is wait for its release.

Provide Feedback to the App Developer

In case you didn’t spot any announcements, you can provide feedback to the developers via email or other designated channels. Sometimes, only users of a particular platform or device will experience frequent app crashes, and developers may be unaware of the extent of the issue, especially if it’s an indie app with a smaller customer base.

While it’s understandably frustrating that your iPhone app keeps crashing when you want to use it, be polite and constructive in your feedback. Remember that app developers are people, too!

Replace With a Similar App

If you notice that the latest version history of the app was a year or two ago, and its social media hasn’t been updated in ages, chances are that the developers are no longer active. So, it’s best to head to the App Store to install another app that serves the same purpose to replace your current one.

Get Your iPhone Apps Working on iOS 26 Again

If you’ve had a headache over wondering why your iPhone apps keep crashing after iOS 26 update, we hope our list of fixes has helped you resolve the problem.

Focus on finding out if it’s an app-specific issue or whether the root cause is an iPhone. It’s always worth keeping things up-to-date on your iPhone to enjoy the latest features and ensure app compatibility.

Tag: iOS 26

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iPhone Not Vibrating After iOS 26 Update? How to Fix it

Sunday August 17, 2025 4:43 pm EAT by Kevin Hollington

When your iPhone is in your pocket or bag, a vibration helps to inform you about an incoming call or text if you’re unable to hear the sound of your alert tone. If you’re in a quiet place like a library, it’s even more important to ensure your iPhone vibrates instead of rings so that you don’t disturb others.

If your iPhone is not vibrating after iOS 26 update, here is what you can do to fix the issue.

1. Check Your iPhone’s Current Mode

The first thing you should do if your iPhone is not vibrating on iOS 26 is to check if silent mode is enabled. On an iPhone 15 Plus and earlier, make sure that the Ring / Silent switch on the left side of your phone is pushed toward the back of the phone. If you are using an iPhone 15 Pro on newer, go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics and make sure Silent Mode is turned on.

2. Turn On System Haptics

If your iPhone is not vibrating on silent in iOS 26, make sure System Haptics is enabled. Haptic feedback is an iPhone feature that provides a physical response, usually in the form of a subtle pulse or vibration, as you interact with your device. When System Haptics is off, your iPhone won’t vibrate for messages, incoming calls and other alerts

To turn on System Haptics on your iPhone, go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics. Then, turn on System Haptics.

If your iPhone Haptics are not working on iOS 26, try turning System Haptics off and back on.

3. Choose the Correct Vibration Option

If your iPhone vibrates on Silent mode but doesn’t on Ring mode (or vice versa), it’s likely because you set a different vibration preference for each mode. To check this, go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics. Tap Haptics, then choose Always Play or Play in Silent Mode.

4. Turn on Vibration in Accessibility Settings

Besides Sounds & Haptics, another place you need to check is your Accessibility settings. If Vibration is turned off in Accessibility settings, your iPhone won’t vibrate on Silent or Ring mode either.

Therefore, go to Settings ⇒ Accessibility ⇒ Touch, and then toggle on Vibration.

5. Check the Selected Haptics for Each Alert

It’s possible that your iPhone doesn’t vibrate after iOS 26 update because you’ve set your haptics to None. Go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics. If your iPhone isn’t vibrating when you get a call, tap Ringtone, then, tap Haptics.

This is where you can set custom vibration alerts on your iPhone. But among the haptics options available, notice that one of them is None, which means your iPhone will not vibrate at all if you select this.

Check that you have Synchronized or one of the Standard haptics selected, such as Accent or Alert. If you have Custom selected, tap on it to play the vibration recording and make sure it’s not just an accidental replica of None.

After you select a valid haptics for Ringtone, go back to the Sounds and Haptics page. Repeat these steps for Text Tone, New Voicemail, New Mail, and so on.

6. Update Your iPhone

One of the reasons your iPhone won’t vibrate after iOS 26 update is due to an iOS bug. One way to fix this is to update your iPhone’s software. Apple’s iOS software updates often come with bug fixes and performance improvements.

Therefore, updating your device may be the solution when your iPhone doesn’t vibrate after iOS 26 update. Go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Software Update. If an update is available, tap Update Now.

7. Restart Your iPhone

Software glitches can sometimes prevent your iPhone from vibrating, whether it’s on Ring or Silent mode. In such cases, simply restarting your iPhone will resolve the problem, making this troubleshooting step worth trying. Go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Shut Down. Drag the power off slider from left to right. Wait a minute, then press the side button to turn your iPhone back on.

8. Reset All Settings

If your iPhone still doesn’t vibrate on iOS 26, you can attempt to reset all settings on your phone. This procedure returns all settings on your device to the default factory state.

If you have a lot of data on your device, the process can take quite a while, so you should only try this method when you don’t need to use your iPhone immediately.

Go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Transfer or Reset iPhone ⇒ Reset. Choose Reset All Settings.

Do not accidentally select Erase All Content and Settings, as this will delete all the data on your iPhone.

9. Take Off Any Magnetic Case Or Wallet Cover

We’ve received a few comments from people saying they fixed the vibration problem on their iPhone by removing their magnetic wallet cover. A magnet can sometimes interfere with an iPhone’s vibration motor. Try removing any accessories and taking your iPhone out of its case.

Does your iPhone vibrate now? If not, move on to the next solution.

10. Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone still isn’t vibrating at all, there may be a hardware problem with your iPhone. Generally this means that the vibration motor in your iPhone is damaged and needs replacement. This is a very involved process, so we don’t recommend that you attempt this repair at home.

Make a Genius Bar appointment at your local Apple Store. Be sure to make a full backup of your device before heading to your appointment, because if your iPhone needs to be replaced, you’ll need a backup of your data to put on your new iPhone. Apple also has a great mail-in service if you don’t live near an Apple Store.

Conclusion

We hope this list of fixes helped you solve the problem if your iPhone wasn’t vibrating after updating to iOS 26. Since the old days of Nokia phones, vibrations have always helped us make sure we don’t miss out on a call or text.

When it comes to the iPhone, the key is turning on System Haptics and Vibration and ensuring you have a functioning haptics selected for the alerts.

Tag: iOS 26

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How to fix notifications not showing up after iOS 26 update!

Friday August 8, 2025 12:23 am EAT by Kevin Hollington

Notifications are not showing up on your iPhone after iOS 26 update and you don’t know what to do. You’re even starting to miss important messages, emails, and other alerts. Sometimes, you might not even get notifications when your device is right in your hands.

The steps below will help you understand the real reason why notifications are not showing up after iOS 26 update and how to fix the problem!

1. Unmute Your iPhone

If you’re receiving notifications on your iPhone, but it doesn’t play a noise when you receive notifications, check whether you have accidentally muted your iPhone. When Silent mode is turned on, you won’t hear incoming notification alerts, and as a result, you may think that you’re not receiving notifications as they arrive.

Check the silent switch on the left side of your iPhone. If it’s pushed away from the screen, pull it towards the screen to exit silent mode. If you are using an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and make sure that Silent Mode is turned off.

2. Restart Your iPhone

A minor iOS 26 glitch could be the reason why your iPhone isn’t getting notifications. Sometimes restarting your iPhone can fix these sorts of minor software problems.

To turn your iPhone off, press and hold the side button and the volume down button until the Slide to Power off slider appears on the display. Then, swipe the slider from left to right to shut down your iPhone.

Wait at least 15 seconds, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear in the center of the display.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

When notifications don’t appear on your iPhone, particularly for internet-dependent apps, you should check to make sure you have a working internet connection. Try visiting a few websites in your browser to make sure the pages load.

If your browser can’t load webpages, chances are that your notification issue is network-related.

Troubleshoot Cellular Data Issues on Your iPhone

If you are using cellular data, check to see if cellular data is enabled on your iPhone. Open the Settings app and tap Cellular. Make sure the switch next to Cellular Data is turned on. If cellular data is already on, turn it off, and turn it back on.

You should also make sure that you have an active data plan and haven’t run out of data. Reach out to your cellular carrier for further support with this.

Troubleshoot Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues on Your iPhone

If you are on Wi-Fi, check to see if your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. Make sure the switch next to Wi-Fi is turned on.

If you see a check mark next to the name of your Wi-Fi network at the top of this menu, your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi. If you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network, tap on the one you want to connect to under Choose A Network…

If your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi but it’s not receiving notifications, rebooting your router might help. Simply unplug your router from the power outlet, wait a few minutes, then plug your router back in.

You can also see the following articles to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi problems:

Disabling Your VPN Could Help

Since VPNs change both your cellular and Wi-Fi connections, they can interfere with notification delivery. For example, if you’re using a free VPN for your iPhone, try disabling it, then check if that fixes iOS 26 notification issue.

You can disable a VPN connection from the provider’s app or go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN to disconnect it.

4. Disable Focus Mode

Focus modes, such as Do Not Disturb, Sleep, and Personal, helps to silence calls, notifications, and other alerts while enabled. When notifications don’t show up on your iPhone, it’s possible that you (or someone else—your kids, maybe) enabled a Focus mode by accident.

To confirm, open your iPhone’s Control Center by pulling down from the upper-right corner of the screen.

Let’s use Do Not Disturb as our example: note the color of the crescent moon icon. If it’s violet (bluish-purple), that means Do Not Disturb is enabled; tap the icon to disable Do Not Disturb. That will change the crescent moon’s color to white.

5. Check and Modify Your Notification Settings

If your iPhone doesn’t display notifications for a specific app, check that the app’s notification settings and preferences are configured properly.

Change App Notifications From the Settings Menu

Head to Settings > Notifications and tap on the app that you’re not receiving notifications from. Make sure the switch next to Allow Notifications is turned on. You’ll know the switch is on when it’s green!

In addition, make sure Allow on Lock Screen, Allow in Notification Center, and Allow as Banner are enabled per your preferences. You should also enable Sounds and Badges for the app if you want those to fire for new notifications.

Review Your Scheduled Notification Summary

Scheduled Summary is a notification feature that aims to help you focus better. For example, you can schedule to receive all your social media notifications at one go when you don’t want to get periodically distracted by story replies, likes, and comments.

When an app is part of your Scheduled Summary, you won’t receive notifications from it at other times of the day. Therefore, it might feel as if your notifications aren’t showing up accurately on your iPhone.

Head to Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary to review the settings. Toggle off any apps you no longer want to be included in your summary.

Turn On Always Show Previews

If iPhone notifications are not working on iOS 26, you may have turned Always Show Previews off in the Settings app. Notification previews are the little alerts from apps that appear on your iPhone’s display.

Head to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews. Make sure there’s a check mark next to Always.

Check In-App Notification Settings

Some apps, particularly social media platforms and instant messengers like WhatsApp, X, Telegram, Instagram, and similar, have dedicated notification settings. These act independently of the notification configuration in your iPhone’s Settings menu that we looked at above.

So, if an app doesn’t show notifications despite having notifications enabled on your iPhone, check its in-app notification settings for any irregularities. For instance, WhatsApp allows you to mute individual conversations permanently. If you forgot to unmute them, you’ll still get new messages without issues but won’t get notified at the time of receipt.

7. Update Your iPhone

There’s a chance that an iOS 26 bug has messed up your iPhone’s notifications. When you have system issues like this, it’s always smart to download and install the latest software update for your iPhone.

Head to Settings > General > Software Update to see if there’s a new version of iOS 26 update available. And if there is, tap Update Now and walk through the process to update your device.

8. Update Your Apps

Sometimes, the problem is not with your iPhone but the apps themselves. If you’re not receiving notifications from a particular app, it may be a bug that can be fixed with an update. You can check to see if an app update is available by going to the App Store and tapping on your account icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Scroll down to see a list of your apps with available updates. To update an app, tap the Update button to the right of the app.

9. Reset iPhone Settings

Still not receiving notifications on your iPhone after all the above fixes? At this point, you should try resetting your device’s settings. Doing this can fix any underlying software problem that could be preventing your iPhone from getting notifications. This reset will all of your iPhone’s settings to factory defaults, so you’ll have to go back and reenter your Wi-Fi passwords and configure your favorite settings.

To reset all of the settings on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer Or Reset iPhone > Reset and tap on Reset All Settings. You’ll be asked to enter your iPhone passcode, then confirm your decision by tapping Reset All Settings. After the reset is complete, your iPhone will restart itself.

Get Timely Notifications on Your iPhone

Chances are that at least one of the fixes mentioned above will resolve your iOS 26 notification issues. It’s more than likely an accidental setting blocking the notifications than a full-blown problem.

If you still don’t get notifications after executing these fixes, you might have to factory reset your iPhone. And if that doesn’t work either, it’s time to contact Apple support for assistance.

Tags: iOS 26, Notifications

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How to Troubleshoot Safari if It’s Running Slow on iOS 26

Friday August 8, 2025 12:49 am EAT by Kevin Hollington

In iOS 26, Safari has received several notable changes. There’s a new look, an updated layout, and a new feature set.

Some iPhone users have reported that Safari is running slowly after upgrading to iOS 26. There could be many reasons why you experience this issue. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to speed Safari up again. This article shows how you can fix the Safari browser if it is slow after upgrading to iOS 26. The purpose is to help speed up Apple’s Safari or determine why it is running slow after iOS 26 update. If you are experiencing one of the following issues, you can use this article to address your problem:

Safari is so slow and seems frozen.
Websites are taking a lot of time to load or videos are lagging.

If you are also experiencing these problems, give these tips a try, and hopefully, Safari will be at full speed in no time.

1. Close And Reopen Safari

Closing and reopening Safari can sometimes fix a minor software bug causing it to load slowly. The app gets a fresh start when it’s opened again.

Swipe up from the bottom to the center of the screen. Hold your finger in the center of the screen until the app switcher opens.

Then, swipe Safari up and off the top of the screen. You’ll know Safari is closed when it no longer appears in the app switcher.

Open Safari again to see if webpages are loading faster now. If it’s still slow, move onto the next step!

2. Update Your iPhone

Ensure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS 26. Safari is a built-in app and the iOS software includes Safari. This means that updating iOS will also update Safari.

Open Settings and tap General > Software Update. Tap Update Now if a new iOS 26 update is available. After the update is complete, open Safari and see if it’s loading webpages faster now.

3. Clear Your Browsing History and Data

If Safari is running slowly on iOS 26, one of the most common reasons for sluggish speed is that your iPhone accumulated lots and lots of saved website data. This is a normal process, but if too much data builds up over a long period of time, Safari can slow down. Fortunately, clearing this data is easy.

To clear Safari cache, head to Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Select All History, then tap Clear History.

Once you do this, relaunch Safari and see if it’s loading up pages quickly enough. If it’s faster for a little while but begins to slow down again, proceed to the next tip.

4. Check Your iPhone’s Storage

If your iPhone storage is almost full, that means it can’t handle much else. Safari, like most apps, uses device storage to store data from the app. And low storage means Safari won’t have enough memory to work.

This is why some users find Safari temporarily faster once they clear their browsing history and data. However, some users might have used so much storage that Safari might not even speed up when you clear the cache.

Luckily, it’s easy to check if this is an issue. All you need to do is head to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and see how much space your iPhone has used. And if it’s almost full, you might have to delete some large files.

5. Check Your Internet Connection

You may feel that Safari is sluggish on iOS 26 because you may have a poor or unstable connection to the Internet. Use another browser (Chrome, Edge, etc) to visit a website. Or try using multiple devices in your home. Do you still experience that your browsing experience is slow? If your answer is yes, then the problem may be your connection. Is the slowness just with one website or with all of the websites you try to visit? If the problem is with just one website, then the problem is that website. However, if all of the websites appear to be slow on all devices and/or using different browsers, the problem may be, again, your connection. If this is the case, try:

Restart your modem/router. Simply unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds and then plug it back in. Wait for your modem/router to fully function (ensure that all of the indicator lights are on).

You can also see the following articles to troubleshoot your Internet problems:

6. Disable VPN

Is a VPN (virtual private network) running on your iPhone? It’s possible that’s the reason why Safari is slow.

Open Settings and tap General. Tap VPN & Device Management, then tap VPN. Tap the Status switch to turn it off. You’ll know your VPN is off when it says Not Connected.

Once you do this, relaunch Safari and see if it’s loading up pages quickly enough. If it’s faster you may want to look for an alternative VPN app or contact the app Developer to let them know about the issue.

7. Restart your iPhone

If you’ve completed all of the previous steps and Safari is still slow, turn off your iPhone and turn it on again. Turning off your iPhone purges the iPhone’s memory and gives it a fresh, clean start. Open Settings and tap General. Tap Shut Down, then drag the Slide to Power off slider from left to right to shut down your iPhone. Wait a moment, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo comes onto the screen.

8. Disable Extensions

An extension may cause this problem. Do you have these installed? If your answer is yes, try the following:

We can turn off Safari Extensions temporarily to see if they are causing this:

Open Settings and go to Apps > Safari.
Tap Extensions. You will see your installed extensions.
Turn all them off.

Now check Safari. Is it faster now? If turning off extensions resolves the issue, now determine the problematic extension that is causing this issue. Turn them back on, one by one, until you find the problematic extension. After each extension, you turn it on, test to see if the problem has recurred before turning on the next extension.

9. Reset Network Settings

When all else fails, you can reset your iPhone’s Network Settings. Doing this will reset all network-related connections on your iPhone, hopefully speeding up Safari in the process. Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings to do this.

Once you do this, you’ll need to set up your network connections again. This means re-entering your Wi-Fi passwords. However, it can clear up a lot of bugs, so it is worth a try if all else fails. You can also reset your iPhone to factory settings as a last resort.

Browse Seamlessly in Safari

Safari comes pre-installed on iPhone. And since it’s the native browser, it works seamlessly across all your apps and Apple devices.

While switching to a third-party browser like Chrome might seem tempting when Safari is slow or lagging, you’ll miss out on a seamless experience. So, it’s worth taking the time to fix whatever issue you’re facing.

Tags: iOS 26, Safari

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Is your iPhone slow after iOS 26 update? Here’s the fix!

Friday August 8, 2025 12:48 am EAT by Kevin Hollington

If your iPhone is running slow after iOS 26 update, making a few tweaks in the settings can significantly improve performance.
Common fixes include restarting your iPhone and updating to the latest iOS version.
You can also try to remove unused apps and clear the cache on your iPhone.

After installing iOS 26 update, you may have noticed immense lagging issue with the iPhone UI, while playing games, and typing using onscreen keyboard.

If you are scratching your head wondering “why is my iPhone so slow?” I feel your pain. There are many reasons why your iPhone might be lagging, and you can fix some of them, restoring your phone to its original glory. In this article, I’ll explain the real reasons why your iPhone is running slo on iOS 26 and show you the fixes that will make your device run as fast as possible.

Restart your iPhone

It might sound like a cliche, but it’s useful advice: If you are experiencing an unusual problem with your phone, just restart it.

Turning your iPhone off and on again purges the iPhone’s memory and gives it a fresh, clean start. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until “slide to power off” appears. Slide your finger across the display and wait as your iPhone powers all the way off. After your iPhone is off, press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears, and then let go. If you’ve completed the steps above, you’ll see a noticeable increase in speed after it reboots. You’ve lightened the load on your iPhone, and your device will show you its gratitude with increased speed.

Update your iPhone’s operating system

It’s always a good idea to keep your iPhone17 operating system up to date since iOS updates often include important security patches.

We understand your iPhone started lagging after updating to iOS 26. However, it’s possible Apple has already released an update to fix this issue. Head to Settings -> General -> Software Update, and if there is an update waiting to be installed, tap on Update Now and follow the onscreen instructions.

Update your iPhone apps

One way to keep your iPhone and your apps running efficiently is to update them regularly. If you notice your iPhone lagging while using a specific app, it’s possible that the app has not been optimized to work with iOS 26. Luckily, developers release app updates after iOS updates to fix bugs and introduce new features.

To see which apps have available updates, open the App Store and tap on the Account Icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Scroll down to the Available Updates section, then tap Update next to an app you want to update, or tap Update All to update every single one of your apps simultaneously.

Offload apps that you don’t use often

Apps can slow down your iPhone in two different ways. Firstly, if you’re running low on storage, that can slow down your phone. Secondly, rarely used apps running in the background can gum up your phone as well.

That’s why you should look at the apps you have installed on your phone and offload any that you rarely (or never) use. Offloading an app means the app is removed from your device, but all data is retained, for when you decide to reinstall it. Take advantage of this trick, especially if you have apps like Google Maps that use a lot of space but don’t store much data. To offload an app, go to Settings -> General -> iPhone Storage, tap on the app that you want to offload and then Offload App.

Get rid of widgets you don’t need

An iPhone Widget after it has been
If you have too many Widgets on your Home screen, they can significantly impact your iPhone performance. Luckily, removing them is super easy.

Locate and press on the Widget you want to remove.
Tap on Remove Widget.

Clear your cache

If Safari is running slowly, one of the most common reasons for sluggish speed is that your iPhone accumulated lots and lots of saved website data. This is a normal process, but if too much data builds up over a long period of time, Safari can slow down. Fortunately, clearing this data is easy.

Head to Settings -> Apps -> Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data. Select All History and then hit Clear History to remove the history, cookies, and other browsing data from your iPhone.

Dial down the graphics

Your iPhone can run a little faster if you reduce the work the CPU puts into displaying fancy graphics. Unlike a desktop computer, there are relatively few graphic settings on an iPhone.

Here’s what you can do:

Open the Settings app and then tap Accessibility.
Tap Display & Text Size.
Tap the toggle for Reduce Transparency to turn the option on.
Tap Back and then tap Motion.
Tap the toggle for Reduce Motion to turn the option on.

Disable some automatic background processes

We don’t recommend doing this unless your iPhone is so slow after iOS 26 update. But the fact is you can make your iPhone faster by turning off a few automatic background processes.

First, head to Settings -> General -> Background App Refresh to see a list of apps on your iPhone that are currently allowed to continue running even when they’re not open.

I don’t recommend turning off Background App Refresh entirely, because allowing certain processes to run in the background is most definitely a good thing. Instead, ask yourself this question for each app:

“Do I need this app to alert me or send me messages when I’m not using it?”

If the answer is no, then I’d recommend turning off Background App Refresh for that specific app. Go down through the list, and if you’re like me, you’ll only have a select few apps left on by the very end.

Next, head to Settings -> Apps -> App Store, and then switch off the toggles for App Downloads, App Updates and In-App Content in the Automatic Downloads section.

Finally, open Settings and go to Apps -> Mail -> Mail Accounts. Tap on the account you’d like to change the settings of. Then, tap Fetch New Data and turn off the switch next to Push at the top of the screen. Finally, select how often you’d like your iPhone to Fetch new mail. When Push Mail is on, your iPhone stays constantly connected to your mail server in order to push new emails to you as soon as they arrive. While this may sound convenient, your iPhone can slow down when it’s always checking if there’s new mail. We recommend switching mail from Push to Fetch to help speed up your iPhone (and save some battery life too).

Reset All Settings To Speed Everything Up

If you’ve tried everything above and your iPhone is still running slow on iOS 26, Reset All Settings is often a magic bullet that can speed things up.

Sometimes, a corrupted settings file or misconfiguration of a specific app can wreak havoc on your iPhone, and tracking down that type of a problem can be very, very difficult.

Reset All Settings erases and restores everything in the Settings app to factory defaults, but it doesn’t remove any apps or data from your iPhone. I only recommend doing this if you’ve exhausted all of your other options. You’ll have to sign into your apps again, so make sure you know your important usernames and passwords before you do it.

If you’ve decided you’d like to give it a try, go to Settings -> General -> Transfer Or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset All Settings to restore your iPhone back to its factory default settings.

Wrapping It Up

If you’ve been wondering why your iPhone is suddenly sluggish after updating to iOS 26, I sincerely hope this article has helped you get to the core of the issue. We’ve gone over the reasons why iPhone is running slow on iOS 26, and we’ve discussed how to make your iPhone faster. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below, and as always, I’ll do my best to help you out along the way.

Tag: iOS 26

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