The iPhone 16 was only recently released at the time of writing this article, but already there are numerous issues being reported by users. One of these is ‘why does my iPhone 16 keep going unresponsive?’ – and there are community conversations and Reddit posts about it already.
Since this seems to be a widespread issue, we thought it would be best to offer some guidance in what to do in this situation before going for a repair. So, if your iPhone 16 keeps going unresponsive, try our solutions.
Find out what to do if your iPhone won’t sync to iCloud, what causes no service on your iPhone, how to fix a non-responsive mute switch, why your iPhone might be hot to the touch, and how much it costs to replace the battery if you need it. Any question you might have, we’ve probably answered it.
iPhone 16 Responsive Issues
Unfortunately, in the short time that the iPhone 16 has been available to the public, users have already reported numerous issues that are making it difficult to enjoy this device’s full potential. One of these issues is unresponsive issues, particularly when setting the device up.
So, what can be done about this frustrating problem?
Why Does My iPhone 16 Keep Going Unresponsive?
Below, we will go through some solutions to try out if you are asking yourself, ‘why does my iPhone 16 keep going unresponsive?’. We understand that it’s frustrating, so try these before you bring your device into a repair shop or take it to an Apple Store.
Disable VPN Configuration
For some reason, using VPN software has been linked to iPhones freezing up. This is not only when on calls, but also just in everyday use, and it could be an issue for the new iPhone 16. So, one of the things you should do is make sure that you aren’t using any VPN software on your device.
While a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, does have its benefits, it can also cause more issues than it’s worth.
Force Restart Your iPhone 16
Sometimes a simple restart is all that’s needed to jumpstart the correct processes in your iPhone. Depending on the iPhone model you have, you will need to take different steps to force restart your device, but the below will work for an iPhone 16:
- Quickly press the volume up button and release
- Quickly press the volume down button and release
- Hold down the side button
- Release the side button when the Apple logo shows
Back-up and Restore the Device via iTunes
Restoring your device to a previous back-up can jumpstart the software if there’s an issue. So, by restoring your iPhone 16 to a previous back-up, you might be able to resolve the glitch and get everything working as it should be again.
You will lose at least some of the data on your phone if you choose to restore from back-up, depending on when you last backed your phone up. However, this could be the solution you are looking for, so try restoring from back-up by:
- Open the latest version of iTunes on a computer
- Connect your iPhone to it
- Sign into iTunes
- Right-click the device under ‘summary’ in iTunes and select ‘Restore Back-up’
For this reason, it’s important to always back up your devices. No one wants to find themselves in a situation where they will be losing weeks, months, or even years of data. In this case, you should have everything recently backed-up, since you got your brand-new iPhone.
Reset All Device Settings
If nothing else is working to resolve your iPhone 16 freezing, you might need to get rid of all the settings on your iPhone and restore them to their default. This won’t get rid of the data like apps and images on your device unless you accidentally tap “Erase all Content and Settings”.
To reset all device settings, simply follow these steps: Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone (at the bottom) → Reset → Reset All Settings.
Make Sure Your iPhone 16 is Up-to-Date
Usually an iPhone will update without any issues, but sometimes things just don’t do right. If you are struggling to update your iPhone, you can update your iOS in Recovery Mode. To do this, you will need the latest version of iTunes on a Windows or Mac laptop/PC.
Follow these steps:
- Connect your Windows/Mac device to the phone
- Do a force restart (steps outlined in an above section) to get your phone in Recovery Mode
- Don’t let go of the buttons until the phone screen has the Recovery mode screen (a charging cable with an arrow pointed at a laptop)
- Select ‘update’ when the option to restore or update on your computer shows up
- Confirm, then follow the instructions given to you (it can take up to 15 minutes, so have some patience)
- Your phone will restart on its own once you’re done
If this doesn’t work, you can try updating your iOS in DFU Mode. This mode is more complex than Recovery Mode, and varies depending on the device model you have. Follow these steps to effectively go through the process – remember that this will wipe your phone, so back-up important data.
If this doesn’t work, you will need to get in touch with a professional like us, or Apple.
Restore the Device After Backing Up to an iMac or a MacBook
If you have an iMac or a MacBook, it’s a good idea to back-up your iPhone fairly regularly in case trouble strikes. Luckily, this is easier than you may think, and all you need to do is connect your iPhone to the iMac or MacBook via a USB and find your iPhone under ‘Locations’ before backing up all the data.
Encrypted back-ups are a good idea if you want to protect passwords and any other kinds of sensitive information. Once you select ‘Back-up’, you might need to put the passcode into your computer, then it will begin. The back-up can take a little while depending on how much data you have on your iPhone, but when the process is complete, you can use this back-up and transfer the data to your new iPhone.
Try the iPhone to iPhone Transfer
In the event that your new iPhone 16 already has some data on it, and it’s started freezing up, the best thing to do will be to completely reset it and opt for an iPhone-to-iPhone transfer. This transfer is more direct, and is less likely to cause issues – but you do need to have your old iPhone with all its data still on it, so this won’t be the answer for everyone.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone 16 to a Mac via the USB cable
- Find your phone in ‘Finder’ and select the correct device
- On your iPhone 16, turn off ‘Find My Phone’ (Settings → iCloud → Find My Phone → toggle off). Please remember that if your device is unresponsive or crashing, you might need to try this a few times
- Erase all the data on the new phone by selecting ‘Restore iPhone’ in Finder without creating a new back-up
- Once reset, skip the iCloud setup
- Next, for the iPhone to iPhone transfer, you will need to have your old iPhone nearby. Connect both devices to Wi-Fi, then turn on Bluetooth. Pick the option to directly transfer the data from the old to new device, bypassing iCloud and using the connection between the devices.
- Low the iPhones to complete the transfer, and follow any on-screen instructions that pop up
imFixed Can Help You
At imFixed, we aim to equip you with the knowledge to troubleshoot and fix a wide range of tech issues so that you don’t need to come into a repair shop if you don’t need to. From how to transfer data from Android to iPhone and restore lost data on iPhones to why your iPhone is dropping calls, freezing during calls, won’t pair with your car, or randomly shuts down, we can offer solutions.
We can also answer your important questions – can you straighten a bent iPhone? How do you fix screen burn-in and app crashes? Why is your iPhone display so dim?
So, why does my iPhone 16 keep going unresponsive? There could be software or hardware issues going on, but one of our solutions should help you solve the problem.
You Can Find Us At:
Address - 101 Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL2 2DL
Phone - 07754854869
Email - info@imfixed.co.uk
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