Phone app freezes/gets stuck since iOS 12

I earlier reported suffering from this problem on this thread. The problem persisted even after one or more system updates (done while wired to my iMac using iTunes). But, now I have not experienced this problem in several months. On the other hand, since there was no reliable way to reproduce the problem, there's no reliable way to know if the problem is solved. I once before thought the problem was gone, with my phone app freezing up shortly afterwards.

So, again, I don't fully know if the problem is resolved, or if it is resolved for my, what change may have fixed it. Here are some things that are true for my iPhone.

• I'm updated to iOS 12.2, done via iTunes while my phone was wired to my desktop.
• I deleted all of my old voicemails, even deleted them from the "deleted messages" list. I, like others, suspected there might be some connection with voice messages, though of course not definitive.

I hope I am not tempting fate with this message and have this problem resurface tomorrow.

David

Try to switch off iCloud sync as well for a while be sure u copy all your contacts to the phone before. U sure yo don't sync your contacts to Gmail? UnCheck it in the contacts account section. I wanted to break my phone into smithereens I was so frustrated when I wanted to make an urgent call...maybe we should post this issue to social media sites to create some publicity and than apple

Settings, General, Reset, Reset Network Setings seems to help

Basically, I have to reset network settings whenever the phone app freezes, which is better than rebooting every time. After resetting, it unfreezes for a few hours

Did you try the other recommendation of downloading the full iOS using iTunes? You have to force the update onto the phone.

I heard the newest update fixes this problem, but I was having serious issues before this update, so I did a factory reset and that fixed my problem.

I'm having this exact same issue. Phone app works fine after a reboot, but after some unknown time, it freezes. I can launch the phone app, but I am unable to scroll, or move to a different screen in the app. I can exit the app and force quit it, but I can't do anything in the app itself.

I can make calls using Siri, and I can receive calls; however, I cannot access visual voicemail, so I have to either call my number to get voicemails, or I have to reboot the iPhone.

I reached out to Apple, and they say that they have received additional reports of this issue, but there is no current workaround other than rebooting. They suggested resetting all settings, but that seems to be more of a "stab in the dark" method of troubleshooting rather than an actual workaround or solution.

I have new xr max 512 gB. Has had this problem since I first got it Sept 21 and did the load from (updated 6+) backup. If I open the phone app and leave it alone a while, it will eventually work. If it doesn’t eventually work, I close the app, swipe up and close it comepletely, reopen it, wait, and repeat.

Hard restart works once, or twice, then back to same situation.

Apple support said reset to factory and then reload. I hoped first update would fix it, so I haven’t done the reload from scratch yet. But first update had no effect. I’m leary of resetting and I live too far to go to a Genius Bar and let them do it.

If the contact image is blank, I know it isn’t working. If I leave it alone and pics come back, it has a good change of working.

I've been having this problem more and more on my 128gb iPhone 7. It was happening often before the iOS 12 & 12.0.1 updates. Placing calls through Siri works perfectly fine. However, at random times, the 'Phone App' will freeze and remain in that state, regardless of the last time it was launched. I am experiencing a lot of the same issues as others on this thread (i.e. disappearing icons, unresponsive to touch, etc.)

For Apple Support: my phone had a logic board replaced on it to account for a jacked-up LTE chip that would quit working without notice (my phone was repaired without cost to me through the repairprogram). Since the servicing and return of my iPhone 7, the problem has continued even after it was "set up as a new iPhone". I went through manual installation of ALL apps and reconfigured every setting on it. A factory reset, or any other type of reset has not worked to prevent this issue from cropping back up at random times, even if there are no background apps.

I would prefer not having a very "generic solution" to a problem that will only provide temporary relief of the issue. That's like taking aspirin for a broken arm; may help for a little while, but the issue still remains.

I had the same issue on my iPhone XSmax right out of the box.. I’m not happy with it.

I called apple a few times and they told me to reset.. reboot.. delete and reinstall all software..

I’ve been through all.. AT THIS TIME I MAKE MY PJONE CALLS THROUGH SIRI..(tip ask Siri for contacts). This will bring your contact info and u can make phone call temporary till it freezes again.. or if u had text that person earlier u can also get their contact info through sms..

We’re all on the same boat till apple comes up with a solution..

I have found that if I use the Contacts app rather than the phone app it works just fine. I am beginning to think that the issue has something to do with visual voicemail.

So, my current workaround is Contacts for most

Things and ‘Hey Siri, call yadda’ where yadda is the phone number. But the phone app seems slightly more responsive than it was, or I’m just getting used to it.

I had several episodes of my iPhone XR freezing. I even had a couple of futile visits to nearby apple stores. They did not know how to solve the problem, so they tried to solve it by shooting darts just like Dell Tech support. Finally, I went to another apple store and luckily he replaced my phone two months ago. No freezing episode since then. Based on the behavior I saw, there was a bad patch in the memory somewhere, and the diagnostics were not able to detect it. May be the diagnostics were not comprehensive enough.

I hope this this helps you.

I have this exact problem with a 7. Lots of memory and everything else seems to *mostly*work. The core app, the phone, freezes all the time and the only thing I can do is reboot or use Siri to call. Doesn’t seem to matter what page - it freezes soon as you open it. Contacts, recent calls, etc. I updated to 12.01 hoping it would fix it but nope. I hope they fix soon!

I called Apple Support today, and the first person said she hadn’t heard of the issue. She had me do a forced reset (hold power and home button down together until the apple appears). That worked but of course disconnected our call. Someone else called back about 30 minutes later to see if it worked, and she said if there was a reoccurrence, they’d have to figure another solution. I told her the solution would be to update what broke this in the last update. She said the update was a fix of things, and implied but didn’t outright say that the update had nothing to do with it. I told her to check the forums and google for articles, this is a widely known and experienced issue. She said she’s had a couple of calls, but not a lot. The whole “it’s your problem, we had nothing to do with it” attitude ticked me off, and gave me a really bad feeling about the direction of their customer service.

I posted on this early on and my phone still does it. Been watching the chain of messages and it boils down to Apple has to fix. 12 is awful on the core feature... the phone. Siri is the only work around that is consistent and that’s frustrating. I basically have the latest model... the i.... because the phone doesn’t work.