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drkpassengr Author

Level 1

26 points

iPhone 14 Pro Max app switcher stutter / lag (Widespread!)

I have been dealing with what now seems to be a widespread issue on my iPhone 14 Pro Max. When in the app switcher, there is a horrible stutter/lag while swiping on an app to go back to the home page. This happens randomly but on all apps, both Apple and third party. Restarting the device will ‘fix’ the issue for a couple of hours, before it starts happening again. The longer the phone is running without a restart, the worse it gets and the stutter will happen every single time, other functions will start to be slow / laggy as well.

This is specific to iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max units, reported by many users on different forums and Reddit threads. This DOES NOT happen on my iPhone 13 Pro Max on the same iOS version (16.1) with the same back up and data, which makes it clear that it’s specific to iPhone 14 Pros and possibly a hardware issue!?

I also don’t believe it’s related to iOS 16 as some people noted, otherwise more iPhone models would be affected.

If it’s software related, why is it only affecting iPhone 14 pro units?

Apple support had me reset my device using iTunes to get a new copy of iOS. I also set it up as new without my back up for 3 days (major inconvenience) to make sure it’s not my data. The issue still persisted. Apple replaced my device with a brand new retail box unit, which still has this bug! This has been the most frustrating situation and I can’t keep replacing units. Also, restarting the phone every few hours isn’t a solution. This seems like a RAM management issue and needs to be acknowledged and address by Apple.

If anyone has figured out a solution please help.

Apple, please address this ASAP.

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Posted on Oct 31, 2022 9:13 PM

Top-ranking reply

drkpassengr Author

Level 1

26 points

Posted on Nov 9, 2022 3:12 PM

My reply has also been removed for some reason. Yes I would love to be more optimistic about 16.1.1 as well. I kind of lost hope based on my experience so far and everything I have tried with Apple. I had the same hope for 16.1 when it came out, it felt snappier and the issue was gone for 2 days until…it finally came back and the phone became more sluggish as well on top of the main lagging / stuttering issues in the app switcher.

I am not sure if you noticed as well, but when the lagging happens, it also affects response time on the lock screen. When you go to the lock screen and tap to change the wallpaper, it takes like 3 seconds to respond, I guess it stems from the same lag issues. If you then press it again, it responds right away.

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72 replies

Jul 5, 2023 5:54 PM in response to drkpassengr

since the day I got the iPhone 14 pro max in September its had many may bugs and lagginess and screen ui lag since iOS 16.0.1 now 16.5.1 things seem to have gotten worse to worse sorry to say I had to give up on apple and the iPhone for good just seems the same issues since 12 pro max and only 6 gb ram cpu speeds very slow the camera Hume get bigger by the year the app icons haven't ever changes and the same old boring round corners on the screen and worst of all the keypad im so tired of the just letters and no numbers on top like my Samsung s 23 ultra android the s 23 ultra was such a huge change I was so happy with better everything none of the iPhone issues mentioned the last day I used my purple iPhone pro max 1 tb was on June 30th and the thing froze up all day for no reason so I tossed it on the water in the ocean and sunk over 500 feet hate to say but it was with the 1599 dollar loss to me.. the 15 pro max I bet will be the same old boring device im quite sure

Nov 6, 2023 4:13 PM in response to drkpassengr

I’m having scrolling issues with mine. Up, down, left and right. When scrolling the letters, words and content bounce, jitter. It’s disorienting to look at. I’ve had this issues since early iOS 16 and still present in 17.1. I’ve contacted apple and they say their engineers are “working” on it. Making me second think a Samsung.

Ke09

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2023 4:22 PM in response to drkpassengr

I have been experiencing the same issue, and it is almost making my 14 pro max unusable. I have already went to Apple once, and they suggested installing as new and not from iCloud backup which I refuse to do as I know it is not my data…this is a hardware/RAM management issue.

it is especially happening with many third party apps, they just either take forever to open like Skype (up to 5-10 minutes) or just lag out and never open. Sometimes if I keep on clicking 10-20 times it will eventually open. There are some game apps that just freeze up mid-playing, which affects the game play experience significantly.

i have also recently noticed that app updates are lagging significantly…despite very strong network conditions. I have restarted the phone each time, even installed a new copy of iOS, also running 17.2….nothing helps. Some sort of very bad latency issue for sure related to RAM.

this is incredibly frustrating, I would never have never bought this if I knew how widespread and bad this issue is and how unwilling Apple is to fix and address this terrible issue for so many of us.

and just to reiterate, I close all apps, my storage is less than half full and I have done many many hard resets…none of it helps.

Apple please help us!

Ke09

Level 1

8 points

Feb 5, 2024 5:50 AM in response to drkpassengr

I’m also now on my second iPhone 14 Pro Max, this one is a replacement from apple care. Performed ok for few weeks, and now it is worse then before. MS Teams, Skype, IG and a few other apps take over 10 minutes to open, or 90%+ of the time lag and freeze out and close automatically. I just opened my favorite game, took 26 times to open and shut until it sticks. Teams stalls and sometimes opens after 10-15 minutes, and IG same as my game. It is the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced with Apple. At the end of my rope.

drkpassengr Author

Level 1

26 points

Nov 1, 2022 6:37 AM in response to SravanKrA

I appreciate the response but none of these issues are relevant or are the cause of this bug. At least not in my case.

msc1014

Level 1

18 points

Nov 9, 2022 8:43 AM in response to drkpassengr

I’m experiencing the same issues on a 14 Pro Max. I’m about ready to throw in the towel, the lag is taking away from the whole experience. It definitely feels like a ram management issue.

drkpassengr Author

Level 1

26 points

Nov 10, 2022 1:53 PM in response to msc1014

Still not fixed in 16.1.1 as suspected;(

msc1014

Level 1

18 points

Nov 10, 2022 1:56 PM in response to drkpassengr

Yep, swiping up to get to the Home Screen is still lagging for me. Better than 16.1 but definitely not fixed.

Dec 5, 2022 12:52 PM in response to drkpassengr

And still not fixed for 16.1.2 update,

Dec 5, 2022 2:44 PM in response to drkpassengr

This is also happening to myself. Dec 5th and still no fix as yet.

Dec 9, 2022 12:20 AM in response to JUVE4EVER

My friend, this was done severally by myself and many others have also done the same, still doesn't work. if you have been successful then you must be the only one.

Kiek15

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2022 2:35 AM in response to drkpassengr

Unfortunately you were absolutely correct. I’ve noticed a few stutters since the update. Still not as bad however, the update has not completely resolved the issue. Apple fix this!!!!

Dec 11, 2022 6:16 AM in response to JUVE4EVER

I am sorry guys, it just helped for few hours

Dec 13, 2022 8:29 AM in response to msc1014

I am still waiting for the next ios software update, which hopefully will solve app switcher stutter / lag.

Kiek15

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2022 1:17 PM in response to drkpassengr

Has 16.2 update helped with the stutter/lag?

iPhone 14 Pro Max app switcher stutter / lag (Widespread!)