How To Remove Apple Slowdown Update

Apple acknowledges updates slow older iPhones

It'south been one of the more persistent tech conspiracy theories: Apple tree slows down old iPhones to forcefulness people to pony up for new iPhones.

This calendar week, Apple confirmed what many take long suspected, but the company says it'south not some elaborate scheme to move more devices. An update to iOS may ho-hum down some iPhone models to protect their older batteries and prevent them from suddenly shutting downward.

Customers are aroused that Apple didn't disclose the feature when information technology was kickoff released in an iOS update last twelvemonth. Two people are already suing the company, claiming the irksome-downs caused "economic damages and other harm." They're seeking grade-activity status.

Earlier you switch to a Samsung or Google device, or lawyer upward, find out if you're impacted and what you lot can practise about it.

Understand why Apple tree is slowing phones down

A twelvemonth ago, some iPhone users reported sudden phone shut-downs, fifty-fifty though they had a significant charge remaining. Apple quietly released an update that slows down the phone when information technology is putting too much demand on the battery, preventing these sudden shut downs.

The company says the feature is only to remedy a known problem, not a ploy to become more people to buy new phones. Notwithstanding, critics say there are a number of ways Apple tree could have handled the event amend.

It could accept disclosed exactly what it was doing when the first update happened terminal year. Going forward, it could add an option to turn the throttling setting on or off, in part to aid people identify other possible causes of a slow downwardly. And it could make changing batteries easier.

Find out if your phone is affected

Despite years of theories that Apple slows down all older phones, at this point Apple says the power-direction update merely impacts certain models.

The software tweak get-go rolled out last year to the iPhone 6, iPhone vi Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and iPhone SE terminal year. More recently, Apple included information technology in the iOS xi.2 update for the iPhone seven and iPhone 7 Plus. The company plans on doing similar updates in the future.

If your telephone is older than the iPhone half-dozen, information technology'southward likely regular habiliment, tear and maxed out storage are behind it slowing down. If you lot take an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone 10 and it feels unusually sluggish, it may warrant a visit to the Apple Store.

Try these tricks to speed upward your iPhone

Before swapping out your battery, make sure your phone isn't slow due to other reasons.

Update to the latest iOS and update all apps to the most recent versions. In addition to issues fixes and feature additions that tin remedy lag, iOS updates can include critical security patches that will keep your phone, and your data, safe.

Fifty-fifty if information technology's not full, try and articulate up some extra memory on your telephone. Go to Settings -> General -> iPhone Storage to see recommendations from iOS on how to free up memory. This screen will tell yous how big apps are and when you last used them, and then you tin delete any space hogs. You can likewise utilise a tool like Google Photos or Dropbox to back up photos and videos to the cloud.

Other options for potentially speeding upward your device include turning off background app refresh, location services for individual apps, and motion effects.

Get a new bombardment

If you've determined an old battery is to blame, endeavor replacing it with a new one before buying an entirely new telephone.

Unlike its flip-telephone forebears, iPhone builds its batteries deep into the device. They're accessible only past removing the back of the phone, which is held shut with proprietary screws.

Apple will simply cover the cost of a new battery if it is lacking and the phone is under warranty. If a bombardment is just showing the typical signs of use, y'all will have to pay for a new one. It costs $79 for an official replacement from Apple. You tin can mail service your telephone in to an Apple repair center or drop it off at an authorized Apple service store. Both options will have 3 to 5 days.

Some other, usually faster, option is to use a third-party repair service. If you're comfortable doing information technology yourself, you tin can purchase a battery replacement kit online.

Practice non let anyone other than Apple crack open your phone unless it is no longer under warranty. A new iPhone is only nether warranty for one year after you buy information technology. Y'all can extend that period by paying for an AppleCare plan.

Go along your battery in fighting shape

Smartphones use lithium ion batteries. They're volatile, and their capacity tin fade from age, utilise and exposure to temperatures. Apple says an iPhone battery goes 500 charge cycles before information technology drops to 80% capacity.

When you accept a fresh battery, whether it'south a replacement or in a new phone, proper care can extend its life.

iPhone batteries are happiest at room temperature. Avoid exposing an iPhone to extreme cold or hot. That tin can include avoiding some phone cases that trap in heat. If you lot tin't escape loftier temperatures, at to the lowest degree put off charging your device until you are someplace cooler.

If you're not going to use your device for a while, say days or longer, shop it with a half-charged bombardment. Check in twice a yr to re-charge so it is half full again. If y'all're keeping an unused iPhone in a drawer for more than 6 months, you could too just sell or donate it.

CNNMoney (San Francisco) Beginning published December 22, 2017: 5:27 PM ET