Intermittent freezing on iPhone 15 followed by repeated restart cycling

Question

Level 1

5 points

Intermittent freezing on iPhone 15 followed by repeated restart cycling

I’ve been experiencing an odd issue with my iPhone 15. The screen will occasionally lock up without warning, forcing me to perform a restart. Some days it happens once or not at all, and on other days it can occur repeatedly for many hours.

The device was purchased refurbished directly from Apple on May 26, 2025.

Restarting the phone doesn’t always help. At times it boots normally—only to freeze again almost immediately—and in other cases it won’t power back on for several hours. Quite often, attempting to restart sends the device into a continuous reboot cycle.

I already sent the phone to Apple’s repair service, but they were unable to replicate the behavior, likely because it’s unpredictable.

The freezes can occur anywhere in the system, not tied to a specific app. It has locked up right after swiping up on the lock screen, within the app library, in the Camera app, and in other random places.

This issue has been happening intermittently for over two months. It first appeared on the latest release of iOS 18 and has continued after updating to iOS 26.

iPhone 15, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 24, 2025 5:41 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LD150

Level 10

103,656 points

Oct 24, 2025 11:53 AM in response to enda195

This is not normal behaviour.

There is a universal analysis with such an apparent problem.

Back up the phone,

Erase all content & settings,

Set up the phone again, without restoring the backup. Minimal settings, no bank cards etc

Problem gone? If so then some of your software may be interfering.

That same day Erase all content & settings again, Set up the phone again, this time restoring the backup. Delay in doing this will cause the icloud backup to wipe itself. If you are not going to restore the backup that day the turn off iCloud backup.

See if it does it again.

The process of erasing and setting up again can very often fix a glitch.

If it does it with the minimal setup as above then you need to insist that it is happening, show them even!

Know how to do this…

Back up iPhone - Apple Support

Erase iPhone - Apple Support

Set up your iPhone or iPad – Apple Support (UK)

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 4, 2025 2:51 AM in response to enda195

Hi enda195,

There are 2 possibilities to your problem.

Either it could be hardware problem, given it is a refurbished version or it could be an operating system (software) issue.

Right now I can only help with the software side

The best way to fix a software problem is to reset your device. I recommend testing the ‘Reset all settings’ option (which can be accessed via Settings > General > Reset) first as this does not erase any data.

If this does not fix your problem then use ‘Erase all content and settings’ option (which can be accessed via Settings > General > Reset). Note: This erase all data documents and settings from your iPhone.

Of it still does not work then try restoring your iPhone using iTunes on Windows or older macOS versions like Catalina, other wise on newer macOS use Finder. This installs the latest update and erases iPhone completely which might fix the bug. For help on how to restore using a PC, read this:

Restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support

I hope this helps

-The Circler

Reply

Answer 3

enda195 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 3, 2025 1:25 AM in response to LD150

I received my phone back from Apple and did not restore the backup that I had. I decided to not bother restoring the original backup and do a clean install.

There was no issue for 3 days after receiving the phone from Apple again but after day 3 it has began happening intermittently.

I have a video showing the moment after it has frozen and what happens when I try to reboot it.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MI1YJ_LQbY0?cbrd=1

> If it does it with the minimal setup as above then you need to insist that it is happening, show them even!

When I opened the support ticket, I only had an option to click a category (frozen screen). There was no place I could see to add additional information above 140 characters.

Reply

Answer 4

LD150

Level 10

103,656 points

Nov 3, 2025 3:53 AM in response to enda195

Boot loops can sometimes be overcome by forced restart https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/force-restart-iphone-iph8903c3ee6/ios

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 4, 2025 4:29 AM in response to enda195

One, contact Apple Support and tell them it’s still happening. They’ll want it returned again. But all this needs to be documented, so you need to get it into the repair system again.

Reply

Answer 6

enda195 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 3, 2025 1:41 AM in response to enda195

I received my phone back from Apple and did not restore the backup that I had. I decided to not bother restoring the original backup and do a clean install.

There was no issue for 3 days after receiving the phone from Apple again but after day 3 it has began happening intermittently.

I have a video showing the moment after it has frozen and what happens when I try to reboot it.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MI1YJ_LQbY0?cbrd=1

> If it does it with the minimal setup as above then you need to insist that it is happening, show them even!

When I opened the support ticket, I only had an option to click a category (frozen screen). There was no place I could see to add additional information above 140 characters.

I am in Ireland, we have no Apple stores so my only option is to send it away for repair.

Reply