How to Fix iPhone Keeps Freezing After iOS 26 Update?

Solution 1: Force Restart your iPhone

If your iPhone keeps freezing after updating to iOS 26, the first and easiest fix is a force restart. Sometimes, even major glitches have simple solutions—force restarting can clear minor system bugs causing your device to freeze.

• If your iPhone keeps freezing on iOS 18 and you're using an older model (like iPhone 12, iPhone SE, or earlier), a force restart can often solve the issue. Simply press and hold the Power (On/Off) button and the Home button at the same time. Keep holding until the screen turns black. Once it does, release both buttons, then press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.

Solution 2: Reset All Settings on iPhone

If your iPhone keeps freezing after the iOS 26 update, resetting all settings can be a simple yet effective solution. This process restores all system settings to default—like Wi-Fi networks, display preferences, and privacy settings—without deleting your data.

1. First you need to go to the “Settings” option of your iPhone. Then go to “General”, choose “Reset”. Finally tap on the “Reset All Settings” button.
2. You may have to enter your passcode to proceed and after you provide it, your iPhone settings will totally be reset and restored to its factory settings.

Solution 3: Fix iPhone Freezing on iOS 26 without Data Loss

If your iPhone keeps freezing after updating to iOS 26 and previous methods haven’t worked, try using Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS). This powerful tool can fix freezing issues, iPhones stuck on the Apple logo, boot loops, black/white/blue screens, and more—without erasing your data.

Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS)

Repair iOS System Errors Without data loss.

• Only fix your iOS to normal, no data loss at all.
• Fix various iOS system issues stuck in recovery mode, white Apple logo, black screen, looping on start, etc.
• Downgrade iOS without iTunes at all.
• Work for all iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, running on all iOS versions

Available on: Windows Mac

Try It Free

Try It Free

3,730,618 people have downloaded it

• Step 1: Connect Your Device to the System

Start by downloading the official tool of Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer. As it is downloaded and installed on your device, continue to launch it.

• Step 2: Continue With iOS Repair

On opening the platform, navigate to the "Toolbox" section and select the option of "System Repair".

• Step 3: Enter the iOS System Repair

This will open a new window where you have to select the option of "iOS", considering the nature of your device. Following this, choose the option of "iOS Repair" according to your requirements for repairing the iPhone.

• Step 4: Enter the iOS System Repair

Once you select this option, you will get two modes to choose from. To prevent the iOS 17/18/26 data loss, click the "Standard Repair" option and proceed next.

• Step 5: Enable iPhone’s Recovery Mode

You will then have to put your iPhone in Recovery Mode by following the on-screen instructions. After putting your iOS device into Recovery Mode, click the "Enter Recovery Mode" button. If unable to do it, use the "Guide" button to put your unresponsive iPhone in Recovery Mode.

• Step 6: Download the Desired Firmware

Select any iOS firmware according to your requirement by clicking the "Download" button. As it downloads, the platform verifies it.

• Step 7: Continue to Install on iOS Device

Continue to click the "Repair Now" button to install the downloaded iOS firmware on your iOS 17/18/26 device to repair it.

• Step 8: Repair iOS Device With Standard Repair

The following screen shows the completion of the process. Choose the "Done" option to conclude the entire repair process and use your iOS device easily.

The Best Solution for iOS 26 Issues

Tips: Dr.Fone - System Repair now enables zero-data-loss solutions for iOS 26 crashes (boot loops/black screen/failed updates) and one-click downgrades to signed versions (e.g. iOS 18.5), completing in 10 minutes. Supports all iPhone models, bypassing iTunes factory reset risks. Downgrades require open Apple signing windows (real-time tool verification). Pre-export critical data when reverting from iOS 26.

Try It Free Try It Free

safe & secure

Solution 4: Restore iPhone in DFU Mode with iTunes

There is always an official way to fix an iOS problem and the way is iTunes. It’s a tool that can not only give you entertainment, but also solve various issues with your iOS device. If iOS 26 touch screen is not working in your iPhone, then you can restore it in DFU mode with the help of iTunes. It’s not an easy or short process but if you follow the guideline of this part, you can easily implement this method to solve your freezing problem. But the major setback for using iTunes to restore your iPhone is, you will lose all your phone data during the process. So we strongly advise you to back up your data before. Here is how to do it –

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
2. Now connect your iPhone into your PC by using a USB cable.
3. Launch iTunes and put your iPhone into the DFU mode. For iPhone 6s and older generations, hold the Power and the Home button at the same time for 5 seconds, release the Power button and keep holding the Home button.
4. Similarly, for iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, hold the Power button and the Volume Down button together for 5 seconds. Then let go of the Power button and keep holding the Volume Down button.
5. Now iTunes will detect that your iPhone is in DFU mode. Click on the “OK” button and go to the main interface. Then go to “Summary” option to proceed to the final step.

Solution 5: Downgrade iPhone to iOS 18

If your iPhone keeps freezing or the touch screen becomes unresponsive after updating to iOS 26, and none of the previous fixes have worked, it may be time to consider a downgrade. As a last resort, rolling back to iOS 18—a more stable version—can help restore smooth performance and fix persistent freezing issues. While Apple may soon patch these bugs, downgrading offers a practical solution if you need immediate reliability.

safe & secure

• Step 1: Opt for System Repair in Wondershare Dr.Fone

After installing and launching Wondershare Dr.Fone, access "System Repair" through "Toolbox".

• Step 2: Select the Device Type to Repair

Now choose "iOS" and click "iOS Upgrade/Downgrade" on the following screen.

• Step 3: Select Downgrade iOS

select "Downgrade iOS" from the two options for the execution of the required process.

• Step 4: Backup iDevice

A prompt will appear asking you to back up your iOS device data before executing this process.

💡 Essential Backup Before iOS Downgrade

Tips: To avoid data loss during iOS downgrade, it’s strongly recommended to use Dr.Fone - Phone Backup (iOS) for a full, secure backup of your iPhone. This tool enables you to selectively export and save important files—contacts, photos, messages, and more—before downgrading. Protect your data and ensure a smooth restore process after reverting to a signed iOS version.

Backup Now Backup Now

safe & secure

• Step 5: Connect iDevice with USB Cable

You will then be asked to connect your iDevice with a USB connection.

• Step 6: Get Your Desired iOS Firmware

It will show the list of available firmware. Click "Download" to get your desired firmware.

• Step 7: Perform the Downgrade Process

Wait for the firmware download to complete. When it is completed, click "Repair Now" to begin the downgrading process.

• Step 8: Successfully Downgrade Your iOS Device

This process will take some time, and when it is done, click "Done".

Conclusion

The latest iOS version,iOS 26 is totally new and all kinds of issues related to it may already be in Apple’s attention. Hope these issues get fixed in the next update. But iOS 26 screen freezing issue can easily be fixed with the help of this article. You can try any of these 5 solutions but the best one and recommended one would be by using Dr.Fone - System Repair. There is one thing guaranteed from Dr.Fone - System Repair, you will get the solution for iOS 14 freezing on your phone. So don’t waste your time by trying any other ways, just use Dr.Fone - System Repair for a no data loss and perfect result.

safe & secure

4,624,541 people have downloaded it