iOS 4.3 Running Sluggish?

Apple collects statistics on problems through visits to a store and phone support. They do not use these forums as a primary source of problem reports. So to get Apple's attention you need to visit a store, or if you have AppleCare, call.

If the phone is sluggish there are a couple of things that can cause that. The first is some application that it continuously sending data, or trying to. Another is that memory is so badly fragmented that the OS must constantly move applications around. This "garbage collection" process will impact performance.

To deal with memory fragmentation, while on the Home screen double-press the HOME button. This will bring up a 'ribbon" of recently used apps at the bottom of the screen. Hold one of them for a few seconds until the wriggle, then close all of them by tapping on the "-" in each one. Once they are all closed reboot the phone by holding HOME and SLEEP until an Apple logo appears.

If this doesn't fix it go to Settings/Reset *Erase all content and settings*, Restore as New and see if the problem is resolved. If it is try restoring your backup. If it is still OK you are home free; if not, repeat the process and do not restore your backup.

Please let us know the results, positive or negative.

I was having issues with my battery draining super fast (overnight it would lose 20%, versus 2% with iOS 4.2.1). After a little research online I discovered that a major change with 4.3 is the addition of Ping, which is constantly pushing data even over Edge. As per the advice I read about, I went to Settings > General > Restrictions, Enabled Restrictions, and disabled Ping. I then completely discharged the battery. The phone battery life has been restored to its normal discharge rate, which was a huge relief.

However I have noticed that when I have several apps open, there is a stuttering/jittering when I switch between them that hadn't been there under 4.2.1; it's much less smooth. I'm prepared to live with it, because it doesn't impede performance--it's mainly aesthetic--but I do miss the smooth transition.

See my message in the thread you just posted to -- http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13219756#13219756

Hi Lawrence, thanks for your advise. I actually tried closing sleeping Apps in the multitasking bar as one of the 1st steps. I today called Apple and tried their suggested method. That was to create an iTunes account from a new PC user account created. This hence was a blank iTunes account. I was then advised to perform a restore, which is what I did. Twice. 2nd time round I even deleted the ipsw4.3 file before trying a restore. And no suprise the iPhone is still jittery and lacking the same responsiveness as before.

This leaves me with 2 options now. Either to wait patiently for the next softwware update or to source an ispw 4.2.1 file and install this.

" If this doesn't fix it go to Settings/Reset Erase all content and settings, Restore as New and see if the problem is resolved. If it is try restoring your backup. If it is still OK you are home free; if not, repeat the process and do not restore your backup.

" Please let us know the results, positive or negative."

Nothing has helped so far. Fourth iphone 4 since November, dozens if not hundreds of hours with apple and att tech support, lost count of how many times I've gone through restore to new. Whichever version of ios was running at first was the smoothest of the lot, but even that was only smooth for a matter of days.

If I hadn't seen Apple advertising showing how it's supposed to work, I'd think sluggish performance and full-system, constant jitters were how it's supposed to be. Certainly nothing anyone at Apple, the Apple store, or AT&T gave me any idea it was supposed to be anything but fast and smooth... if they had, I'd have returned it while I was still in the 30 day bailout period.

Hi there
Before upgrading I googled for bugs and run into this thread.
What you are experiencing reminds me of what happened to my 3GS on the last update.
Here's what I did - maybe it helps:
- backup in iTunes, then made a copy of the whole backup-folder
(You may want to edit info.plist: the <string> after the "<key>Device Name" is shown iTunes)
- Reset to a "new" phone
- verified it's running as it should
- restored from from backup
- sync'd
- o sh..! Same again!
- As I would have had to re-enter lots of data, I tried the whole process again
- Bingo! Everything was running smoothly and the battery life was back to normal.
No idea how that can be, but it reminded me of things that happened on my Newton years ago - this thing just could not forget my handwriting even after deleting lots of system soups (if anyone can remember 🙂.

O! Someone pointed me to a double hard reset, when I had some minor problems with my iPhone. Maybe you try that first.

BTW: If you want to go back: Find an ipsw on the net, then hold down apple-key(?) or shift(?) while clicking "restore" in iTunes. You will be prompted for the ipsw to restore from. (Sorry, not sure about the key and too lazy to start iTunes right now).

Wish you the best.

Can someone clarify for me exactly what happens during a restore? So, I plug my phone into iTunes, hit restore and "Set up as new"....

What happens?

Does it return itself to the version of iOS that was on the phone when I bought it? Does it wipe it clean but basically restore the phone with the iOS version that's currently installed (4.3)?

I'm asking because I would seriously consider going back to the iOS version that was on my 3GS when I bought it if I could restore it back that way using iTunes. That version of iOS didn't have multi-tasking or many other features that have come out since then, but it worked. I could then upgrade to 4.3.x when these problems are fixed.

Any clarity would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

Hi John, th restore does not go back to a previous iOS. All it does is wipe your phone's software and restore back to its original settings. Then performing a back up re-instates your Apps, Music, Settings, Texts, Contacts, everything, back to the same as to how it was, either on the date of when your last back up was on or on a back up date you have selected.

I would love to go back to a previous iOS, the only way this is possible is sourcing an ipsw file from Google, but this is not Apple authorised or recommended unless you are confident on what you are doing.

I'm just curious....Has anyone gone back to the Apple Store about this yet to see what they say about it?

I haven't done it yet because I want to go off-hours so I don't get tied up in the iPad 2 crowds.

I've just registered to chime in to say I have had the same problem.
Initially I've noticed it after installing 4.3 GM. It was so sluggish that I thought it was a glitch, so I reinstalled the official 4.3 when that was released. Problem still existed.

As others have said, there is no Apple authorized way to downgrade back to 4.2.1. I'm not sure what the rules are here to mention non-Apple programs, but there is a way to downgrade if you've used TinyUmbrella.

Now that I'm back on 4.2.1, there is no more sluggishness. Hopefully Apple addresses this issue in the next update.

Just tried a restore from backup. It did not solve my performance problems in the Email, Contacts, and Settings apps. Bummer.....

I did not try setting up the 3GS as a "new phone" during the restore process, but perhaps I'll try that later today when I have time to see if restoring with that option helps...

John

I have the same sluggishness on a 3GS. Wish I'd read these posts before "upgrading".

Hey all...Yeah, I've had the same problem...When switching between apps, launching a new one, double clicking home button....any screen transition..Not so much sluggish, but stuttering...Not fluid at all, like 4.2.1, or 3.1.3 was! I've done everything to fix it. Scrolling through things, like photos, contact list, etc. is really smooth, unlike 4.0, but any screen transitions are stuttery. I did a second restore as new phone, but before I started, I deleted the first 4.3 .ipsw file from where iTunes stores it, and made it download a new one. This seemed to help. I restored as new phone, and started adding things back 1 at a time. It seems to have helped. It's not as stuttery as it was, though once in a while, it does it. Apple does need to fix this though. I think people like a reliable, fluid interface. It may be just asthetics, but we pay alot for these devices, and expect them to work as they were designed. They also need to fix the process, and let us downgrade officially. This way we won't be affected while they get their crap together and fix things before we upgrade again.

xboxbmliphone, well said! I agree that Apple should let us officially downgrade until they get their stupid updates like this sorted out.

The iPhones aint cheap products. Its poor updates like these that ruin the iPhone experience and make you wonder whether to just switch to Android! I have not felt like this before, as I have always been so pro Apple. But this update has really frustrated me and got me thinking.....

****. Now I have the battery life issue. The phone drops a full charge in just a few hours. This completely *****.