Is the iPhone 7's RAM really this bad?

Question

Level 2

210 points

Is the iPhone 7's RAM really this bad?

This seems like a recent development as I don't remember it being this bad when I first got the phone, but I may have misremembered. Whenever I switch from one app to another, then return to the first app, the first app often if not usually "restarts" to its "dashboard" so-to-speak; i.e., it fades out to its splash color for a few seconds, then fades into the default page it lands on when the app is opened, although I had already opened it before and navigated to somewhere else in the app before switching to another app. This wastes all sorts of time and results in needing to redo a lot of things like restart forms or type in text (which is why I make sure to copy written text before switching apps now). Is there something in the settings that can be tweaked to mitigate this? Is this a sign of old hardware vs new software, or an aging battery? At the moment simultaneous app usage is almost pointless. I noticed this on my iPad mini a long time ago but that is an old device. The iPhone 7 has only been out a few years. I am running iOS 13.2.3.

iPhone 7

Posted on Nov 25, 2019 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 29, 2019 3:50 PM in response to Connor Hawke

You've got enough free space.

I'd recommend doing a backup/restore. The best method is to use your home computer with iTunes, but over the air works as well. See this link for guidance on either method --> Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Connor Hawke Author

Level 2

210 points

Dec 2, 2019 9:24 AM in response to lobsterghost1

It seems it may have been at least partly due to certain apps needing to be reinstalled (e.g. Gmail); performance for said apps seems to have improved since then but I'll keep an eye out.

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Answer 3

Nov 29, 2019 3:36 PM in response to Connor Hawke

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and see how much free memory you have available on the iPhone. If as I suspect you are running low, you likely need to start deleting things you don't need or use to free up space.

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Answer 4

Connor Hawke Author

Level 2

210 points

Nov 29, 2019 3:34 PM in response to Connor Hawke

This actually seems to be related to a

more far-reaching issue: poorer performance of the phone the longer it hasn't been restarted. It starts with the reload issue described above but soon progresses to unresponsive apps and constant crashes, all of which temporarily reside after I restart the phone. It seems I'm having to restart the phone at least once every few days now to circumvent these issues. Is there a cache or other problem here that can be rectified?

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Answer 5

glee217

Level 1

10 points

Dec 7, 2019 10:51 AM in response to Connor Hawke

Issue 1)

My iphone 7 on 13.2.3 has ram/memory issues and needs to restart or/and clear ram (hold power button then release and then hold home button) if too many apps are open.

Just swiping up doesn’t clear memory it needs the power and home button combo OR restart phone.

Issue 2)

The phone gets HOT AND SLOW whenever I use Apple’s Maps app or Camera app. Especially when you switch between apps.

Anyone else or is it just me?

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Answer 6

MrHoffman

Level 10

155,641 points

Jan 10, 2020 1:01 PM in response to Connor Hawke

Connor Hawke wrote:

...restore shouldn't be the fallback answer for everything.

Most folks around here are probably not willing to pay enough for somebody with the technical skills and necessary background to really dig into the details and to debug this or other problems in the detail necessary. When performed, that debugging often won’t really help things appreciably. Yeah, knowing the answer is nice, but what are we then going to do with that answer? That debugging can also require access into your device, too. Which in aggregate means backup and is easier and faster, and (usually) with good results..

As for the Google apps, those apps have sometimes caused performance problems over on macOS, too. And some graphics operations involved in rendering maps can be GPU intensive, as well as network intensive, and which means keeping the radio warmed up. As well as the processor activity. All of which sill warm up the case, as the phone will do that to prolong the available performance before thermal throttling is required.

If you’d like to discuss these or other details of your iPhone with the folks from Apple and get the official answer—beyond the “Apple Recommended” marker here—ring up the folks from Apple Support, or chat with the Apple folks at the local Apple Store.

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