How To Fix iPhone 13 Pro Max Freezing Issues After iOS 18 Update

The release of iOS 18 brings a host of new features and enhancements to Apple’s devices. However, with any major update, users sometimes encounter performance issues, such as their iPhone 13 Pro Max freezing or becoming unresponsive. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially on a premium device like the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is designed for seamless performance.

If your iPhone 13 Pro Max is freezing after updating to iOS 18, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore all the possible solutions to help you fix this issue and get your device back to optimal performance.

1. Force Restart Your iPhone 13 Pro Max

A force restart is one of the quickest ways to resolve temporary glitches or freezing issues after an update. It doesn’t erase any data but can refresh your device’s system and clear minor software bugs.

How to Force Restart:

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side Button (Power button) until the Apple logo appears, then release.

After the restart, check if the freezing issue persists. If so, move on to the next step.

2. Free Up Storage Space

A common cause of freezing after an iOS update is insufficient storage. iOS 18 requires a certain amount of free space to function efficiently, and if your iPhone’s storage is nearly full, it may freeze or lag.

How to Check and Free Up Storage:

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Here, you’ll see how much storage is available and a breakdown of what’s consuming space.

To free up storage:

Delete unused apps.
Remove large video files and photos (back them up to iCloud or another cloud service first).
Clear Safari cache (Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data).
Offload unused apps (Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Offload Unused Apps).

After freeing up some storage space, check if the freezing issue is resolved.

3. Update All Apps

Sometimes, app compatibility issues after a major iOS update like iOS 18 can cause your iPhone 13 Pro Max to freeze. Ensure that all your apps are updated to their latest versions, as developers frequently release updates to support new iOS versions.

How to Update Apps:

Open the App Store.
Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Scroll down to the Available Updates section.
Tap Update All to ensure all apps are running the latest versions.

Once the updates are complete, restart your iPhone and check if the freezing problem is fixed.

4. Reset All Settings

If your iPhone continues to freeze, resetting all settings can help. This won’t delete your data (such as apps or photos), but it will reset settings like Wi-Fi passwords, home screen layout, and privacy settings to default.

How to Reset All Settings:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Confirm your selection and wait for the process to complete.

After resetting, set up your preferences again and check if the freezing issue is resolved.

5. Check for iOS Updates

Apple often releases minor updates following a major iOS release to fix bugs and performance issues. If your iPhone 13 Pro Max is freezing after iOS 18, check if there’s a new update available.

How to Check for iOS Updates:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

After the update is installed, your iPhone may perform more smoothly, resolving the freezing issue.

6. Disable Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh allows apps to refresh their content in the background, but it can sometimes cause performance issues or freezing, especially after an iOS update.

How to Disable Background App Refresh:

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Tap Background App Refresh at the top and select Off or Wi-Fi Only.

Disabling this feature may reduce freezing and improve battery life, particularly on resource-intensive apps.

7. Factory Reset Your iPhone 13 Pro Max

If none of the above methods work, a factory reset can resolve more persistent software issues that may have arisen after the iOS 18 update. However, this step will erase all data from your iPhone, so make sure to back up your data to iCloud or iTunes before proceeding.

How to Factory Reset:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
Confirm your selection and follow the prompts to erase your device.

Once your iPhone is reset, set it up as new or restore from a backup. Check to see if the freezing issue is resolved.

8. Use Recovery Mode or DFU Mode

If your iPhone is still freezing after a factory reset, you may need to reinstall iOS using Recovery Mode or DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode. These methods can resolve deep-rooted software issues by reinstalling a fresh version of iOS 18.

How to Use Recovery Mode:

Connect your iPhone to a computer and open Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
Force restart your iPhone, but keep holding the Side Button until you see the recovery mode screen.
A prompt will appear on your computer asking if you want to Update or Restore your iPhone. Choose Restore.

How to Use DFU Mode:

Connect your iPhone to a computer and open Finder or iTunes.
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side Button until the screen turns black.
While holding the Side Button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds, then release the Side Button but continue holding the Volume Down button until iTunes/Finder detects your iPhone in DFU mode.

Both Recovery Mode and DFU Mode will wipe your iPhone and reinstall iOS, which can resolve freezing issues caused by software corruption.

9. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all of the above solutions and your iPhone 13 Pro Max is still freezing after the iOS 18 update, it may be time to contact Apple Support. There could be an underlying hardware issue, or you may need professional assistance to restore your device.

Conclusion

Updating to a new iOS version should enhance your iPhone experience, but sometimes bugs or software conflicts can cause frustrating issues like freezing. The solutions outlined above—from a simple force restart to more advanced steps like factory resetting or using DFU mode—should help you resolve the freezing problem on your iPhone 13 Pro Max after the iOS 18 update.

By following these steps, you can return your iPhone to smooth operation and continue enjoying the new features and enhancements that iOS 18 has to offer.