Apps Not Working on iPhone After Update? Try These 10 Proven Fixes Before Resetting Your Phone

When you update your iPhone, you expect everything to feel faster, smoother, and more reliable. But sometimes the exact opposite happens: suddenly, your favorite apps won’t open, some apps keep crashing, others freeze on the loading screen, and a few refuse to update at all. If you’ve run into apps not working on iPhone after update, you are not alone; it’s one of the most common iPhone issues people face right after installing a new iOS version.

Apps often stop working after an iOS update because the system changes how apps interact with the updated OS. This causes temporary compatibility problems, app cache conflicts, outdated app versions, and permission resets. Luckily, you can fix almost every app problem without resetting your phone by applying the proven fixes below.

This blog walks you through 10 practical, field-tested solutions that real iPhone users. Whether you use an iPhone 13, iPhone SE, or iPad, these solutions will help restore your apps in minutes.

Why Apps Stop Working After an iOS Update

It may feel like the update “broke your phone,” but in reality, there are several logical reasons why apps misbehave after upgrading to the latest iOS version. Apple makes changes to background processes, permissions, storage handling, and security. Apps built for the previous OS may struggle until they receive updates.

Here are the most common reasons apps stop working after an update:

• Many apps fail to open because developers haven’t updated their apps to support the version of iOS you just installed.
• Some apps freeze because the iPhone’s internal indexing isn’t complete yet, especially after larger updates.
• Apps often crash if their saved data becomes incompatible with the new update, creating a temporary conflict.
• Your App Store might get stuck verifying downloads due to Apple ID syncing issues created during the update.
• Wi-Fi settings may reset during the update, preventing apps from loading internet content.
• Low storage on your iPhone or iPad can stop apps from loading properly, as iOS needs space to rebuild system files.
• Permissions may have reverted, blocking apps from using features like camera, location, notifications, or Bluetooth.
• An outdated version of the app may simply not run on the new iOS system until you install the latest app update.

Understanding the causes makes the solutions below even more effective and logical.

Fix 1: Restart Your iPhone (The Easiest Fix Most People Skip)

A restart may feel too simple, but it’s one of the most effective ways to restore apps not working on iPhone after update. iOS loads thousands of background processes, and restarting forces the system to reload app frameworks.

How to restart correctly:

For Face ID models (iPhone 13, 14, 15, and newer):

Hold Side Button + Volume Up 
Slide to power off 
Wait 10 seconds 
Turn back on

For Home button models:

Press and hold Power button 
Slide to power off 
Wait 10 seconds 
Turn back on

Why this works

A restart clears temporary system bugs, resets app caches stuck from the old OS, and forces apps to reconnect to iOS 17/18’s internal services.

Fix 2: Update All Apps from the App Store (Essential After Any iOS Release)

When Apple launches a new iOS update, developers immediately begin releasing optimized versions of their apps. If you keep using outdated app versions, they often freeze, crash, or refuse to load.

Update your apps the right way:

1. Go to the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile photo.
3. Scroll down to Available Updates.
4. Tap Update All.

This refreshes all apps and resolves issues like:

• apps won’t open
• apps crashing instantly
• Apps are not working even after a restart

If the App Store doesn’t load, sign out and sign in again to refresh your Apple ID.

Why this works

Updating apps ensures compatibility with the latest iOS version, especially when certain apps rely on newer APIs introduced in the update.

Fix 3: Force Close the App and Open It Again

Sometimes apps get stuck between the old iOS session and the new one. Force closing refreshes that entire session.

How to force close:

1. Swipe up from the bottom and hold (or double-tap Home).
2. Swipe up on the problematic app to close it completely.
3. Reopen the app from your Home screen.

Why this works

This works especially well for apps that freeze or won’t open after tapping.

Fix 4: Check Your Internet Connection (Wi-Fi or Cellular)

Many iPhone apps require network access to update their internal files after iOS installation.

A weak connection can cause:

• Apps not loading
• Apps stuck at startup
• App data not refreshing

Try these steps:

Why this works

Apps often fail to load because the update temporarily disrupted the network profile your iPhone uses.

Fix 5: Check iPhone Storage (Low Storage = App Failure)

Many users overlook this, but low storage can break app loading. Updates generate system caches that temporarily reduce usable space.

Check storage:

Settings → General → iPhone Storage

What to do if storage is low:

• Delete old photos, videos, voice recordings, and large files to free space.
• Remove unused apps that may be blocking app updates.
• Clear offline content (downloads) from streaming apps.
• Move large files to iCloud if possible.

Why this works

Apps and the iOS system both need free space to run. If your iPhone is full, apps may not open or update.

Fix 6: Offload and Reinstall the App (Without Losing Data)

Offloading removes the app but keeps your data intact. This is extremely helpful when the app files get corrupted after the iOS update.

How to offload:

Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Choose App → Offload App

Then tap Reinstall App.

This fixes issues like:

• The app won’t open
• App crashes instantly
• The app is stuck loading forever
• App interface broken after update

Why this works

It replaces the app’s internal system files without deleting your saved content.

Fix 7: Delete and Reinstall the App (For Severe Issues)

If offloading didn’t help, a full reinstall is the next best fix.

How to completely reinstall the app:

1. Press and hold the app icon.
2. Tap Delete App.
3. Go to the App Store and reinstall it.
4. Sign in again if required.

Tip:

If the App Store refuses to download apps, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in.

Why this works

It removes old caches, legacy data, and leftover files not compatible with the new update.

Fix 8: Reset App Permissions If They Were Affected by the iOS Update

Some apps won’t open because their required permissions were reset when installing a new version of iOS.

To fix:

Settings → Privacy & Security → Check permissions

Make sure apps have access to:

• Camera
• Photos
• Microphone
• Notifications
• Location
• Bluetooth

• Some apps freeze because the iPhone denied them access to local files after updating.
• Certain apps won’t open until microphone, location, or camera permissions are restored.
• Apps like banking apps require Face ID or passcode permissions to be re-enabled.

Why this works

Once permissions are restored, the apps begin working normally again.

Fix 9: Refresh Apple ID to Fix App Store & App Issues

Apple ID plays a huge role in app verification. After an update, your Apple account may temporarily disconnect from the App Store.

This causes:

• apps won’t open
• apps won’t update
• unable to update apps
• App Store is endlessly loading

Refresh it:

Settings → Tap your name → Sign Out → Restart your iPhone → Sign In

Why this works

It restores sync between your Apple ID, the App Store, and your iPhone’s device certificate.

Fix 10: Install the Latest iOS Patch After the Major Update

Apple regularly releases smaller updates (like iOS 17.0.1, 17.0.3, 18.0.1) to fix bugs from the major update.

These patches often fix:

• apps not working after iOS
• freezing
• iPhone apps won’t update
• Certain apps are refusing to open

Check for updates:

Settings → General → Software Update

Why this works

These patches address known app crashes, App Store failures, and bugs introduced during the major update.

BONUS: Advanced Fix – Reset All Settings (Without Erasing Data)

If none of the above works, this fix resets system preferences without deleting apps.

Use this option:

Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings

This resets:

• network settings
• app preferences
• privacy permissions
• home layout

While keeping all apps, photos, and data.

Why this works

It resets iPhone preferences, network settings, permissions, and system configurations that may be preventing apps from working correctly.

Quick Summary Table: Fix Apps Not Working After iPhone Update

Final Thoughts

iOS updates are designed to improve your iPhone, but they sometimes create temporary issues that make apps unstable. Thankfully, nearly all cases of apps not working on iPhone after an update can be fixed without resetting your device. With the solutions above, your apps should begin working smoothly again.

But if your apps continue crashing even after trying everything, your iPhone may have deeper software conflicts, corrupted system data, or hidden account issues that require professional troubleshooting.

Get Professional Remote iPhone Help from OneClick Technologies LLC

If you’re still dealing with apps crashing, apps not opening, or your iPhone refusing to update apps properly, the remote support team at OneClick Technologies LLC is ready to assist you.

We provide support for:

• Fixing apps not working on iPhone after update
• Resolving App Store errors and Apple ID issues
• Troubleshooting iOS system problems
• Handling app crashes, freezes, and update failures
• Apps won’t open or apps won’t update problems

Our tech support, ensuring fast, friendly, and reliable help right from your home.

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