Inspecting And Troubleshooting Iphone Slowdown Problems

Posted on: 31 December 2014

When a mobile device such as an iPhone or tablet becomes slow, it takes a slightly different approach than fixing a slowed down desktop or laptop computer. Sometimes, a factory reset isn't enough. With a few tools and troubleshooting techniques, you can figure out the problem, discover how to avoid it or prepare for a replacement in part or in whole.

What Does A Factory Reset Do For Performance?

When a mobile device isn't performing properly, many owners are tempted to perform a factory reset to start over. A factory reset can be useful when there is too many programs or 'apps' installed on the device, or if the apps on the device are simply too demanding when it comes to resources.

A factory reset formats or erases the information on your mobile device and restores a fresh installation or 'image' of a phone out of the box. Unfortunately, hardware problems or viruses that can attack the factory image can render a factory reset useless.

It's fine to attempt a factory reset at least once, but if the first factory reset doesn't solve the problem, you don't want to damage the device by performing too many factory resets.

How Can A Factory Reset Damage An iPhone?

Most mobile devices have hard drives made out of solid state technology. Instead of having moving parts or large, bulky builds, these devices can be made slim and in custom shape to fit the phone. The solid state drives (SSDs) are currently faster than older platter-based technology, offering an added bonus to their function.

Unfortunately, these drives have a limited lifetime based on the number of times information is read from or written onto their physical form. The amount of time varies depending on the drive's model, but the life span is generally under 10 years of continuous use.

A factory reset performs a large number of read and write actions, which can reduce your device's life. A failing hard drive due to too many read and write actions can also be the cause of slow performance; continuing factory resets will only make the problem worse.

Instead of performing a factory reset, consult your iPhone's manual or an online assembly/disassembly guide. You'll need to remove the battery cover and look for a few key areas for excessive wear and tear.

Lift the battery and inspect the metal contacts. Are the contacts scratched, corroded or otherwise worn out? Weakened contacts can cause inconsistent power, leading to irregular performance and a failing drive. If you need help with inspecting the damage, contact an iPhone repair professional like one from iFly Repair.

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