Six Steps To Optimize Your IPhone After The IOS 18.5 Update

Michael

3 min read

Post on May 23, 2025

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Six Steps to Optimize Your iPhone After the iOS 18.5 Update

The highly anticipated iOS 18.5 update is finally here, bringing a host of new features and improvements to your iPhone. But with every major iOS update comes the potential for performance hiccups. Don't let a sluggish device spoil your experience! Follow these six essential steps to optimize your iPhone and ensure smooth sailing after the upgrade.

1. Restart Your iPhone: This might seem obvious, but a simple restart can often resolve minor glitches and free up resources after a significant software update. Hold down the power button (or volume button and power button depending on your iPhone model) until the power off slider appears. Swipe to power off, wait a few seconds, and then power your iPhone back on. This clears temporary files and allows iOS 18.5 to settle properly.

2. Check for and Install Pending Updates: iOS 18.5 might not be the final word. Apple often releases minor updates to address bugs and further optimize performance. Check your Settings (under "General" > "Software Update") immediately after installing iOS 18.5 to ensure you have the latest version.

3. Manage Your Storage: A cluttered iPhone is a slow iPhone. iOS 18.5, with its new features, may require more storage space. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage" to see what's taking up space. Delete unused apps, photos, videos, and large files. Consider offloading apps (which removes them but keeps your data) instead of deleting them completely, if you plan to use them again. Learn more about managing iPhone storage .

4. Disable Background App Refresh: Many apps refresh content in the background, draining battery and slowing your phone. Head to "Settings" > "General" > "Background App Refresh" and disable this feature for apps you don't need constantly updating. You can selectively enable it for essential apps like email and messaging.

5. Review Your Location Services: Constantly tracking your location consumes battery and processing power. Go to "Settings" > "Privacy & Security" > "Location Services" and review which apps have access to your location. Restrict access to only those apps that absolutely require it. Consider using "Precise Location" only when necessary, opting for "While Using the App" for most others.

6. Reset Location & Privacy Settings (Advanced): If you're still experiencing performance issues, consider resetting your location and privacy settings. This is a more drastic step and will require you to re-authorize location permissions for your apps, but it can resolve persistent issues related to location tracking and background processes. Find this option in "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > "Reset" > "Reset Location & Privacy". Be aware that this will reset all your location and privacy settings to default.

By following these six steps, you can significantly optimize your iPhone's performance after updating to iOS 18.5. Enjoy the new features without the frustration of a sluggish device! Remember to back up your iPhone regularly to iCloud or your computer to protect your data. Did you discover any other helpful tips for optimizing your iPhone after the iOS 18.5 update? Share them in the comments below!