The Most Common iOS 9 Update Problems and Solutions
Apple will likely roll out the new OS (iOS 9) in autumn 2015, alongside the next generation iPhone. The new iOS 9 has plenty of new features to look forward to, such as a more powerful Notes app, a more intelligent Siri, the News app, multitasking on iPad etc. Meanwhile, you probably get some questions rock in your head: should I update my iPhone to iOS 9, how can I get the new OS on my iPhone, or will my iPhone get slow after upgrade.
If you have gotten things ready to update to the latest iOS 9, we strongly suggest you to check this iOS 9 problems and fixes guide. Here we collect the most common iOS 9 problems & solutions to have your back, such as device freezing during update, Bluetooth issues, Cellular problems etc.
1. Software Update Failed Error Messages
iOS 9 Problems - Software Update Failed
If you tried to download iOS 9 as soon as it was released, you may encounter problems downloading and installing it in the minutes. This is a common problem and many users suffered the same problem when downloaded iOS 8 last year. So if this happens with iOS 9, you shouldn't feel like you're alone. You probably found that the downloading takes hours, or perhaps you even saw an error message that says the Software Update Failed.
To avoid these problems, we recommend you wait for a day or two todownload iOS 9 on your device. This because the rush will have died down in few days and there might be some initial bugs that weren't noticed in the beta version.
2. Don't Have Enough Space for Downloading iOS 9
iOS 9 Problems and Solutions – Don't Have Enough Space
Even Apple revealed at WWDC that iOS 9 will only be about 1.3GB in size, it can still be a tough task for many 8/16 GB iPhone or iPad users to free up that much space, especially if they're not syncing to iTunes to manage storage manually. The good news is that iOS 9 will allow users to temporarily delete apps in order to complete the OS update. And after the upgrade is over, all deleted apps will be automatically replaced.
Besides that, there are also some simple & effective solutions to help you make more room for iOS 9, like remove messages & attachments all at once, clear the junk files on iPhone iPad with PhoneClean, or move photos & videos to computer then delete them from your device etc.
Related Reading:
How to Delete All Messages on iPhone Quickly >
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer >
3. Stuck on Apple Logo During iOS 9 Update
This is a common and annoying problem that when we try to update to the new OS, the iPhone is more likely to be stuck on Apple logo and can't boot up completely. If your iPhone or iPad stays on Apple logo screen during iOS 9 update, you can try the force reboot your iPhone or put it in recovery mode.
iOS 9 Issues and Solutions– iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo
Step 1. Hold and Press Home & Power button for 10 seconds to reboot your iPhone. If it still stuck on Apple logo, you will need to put it in recovery mode.
Step 2. Plug the iPhone to your computer via the USB cable and make sure that the latest iTunes is installed.
Step 3. Press and hold Home & Power button for 10 seconds. Then release the power button but keep pressing the home button.
Step 4. You will see the Connect to iTunes screen and you can let go of the Home button.
Step 5. Now you can restore your iPhone with iTunes.
Note:
This is the simplest way to get your iPhone out of the Apple logo. But what if you have some important data that hasn't been backed up? Or you're getting errors during the recovery mode? The safest way to keep your iPhone data safe during iOS 9 update is to make a full backup of your iPhone iPad. To keep copies of the whole iPhone/iPad content on computer in a viewable format, you can try an iTunes alternative like AnyTrans to transfer photos, videos, songs, messages, notes, contacts, voice memos, and more to computer.
4. Cellular Data Doesn't Work
Cellular data issue after iOS upgrade is also extremely common. We have seen a few iPhone users complain about the Cellular issue, it is not working after iOS 9 update, but there is no problem with Wi-Fi connection. There are some potential solutions for you.
Try restarting your iPhone: shut it down and reboot it.
Turn Cellular Data off and then back on again: Settings > Cellular > Toggle Off > Toggle On again.
Try flipping Airplane Mode on for about 30 seconds: Open Control Center > Tap on the Airplane icon > After 30 seconds, turn it off again.
Try reset your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. You won't lose any content this way.
5. Freezing During iOS 9 Update/iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update
Common iOS 9 Problems– iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update
Generally speaking, there are two common ways to upgrade to iOS 9: update with iTunes or OTA (Over the Air). OTA is the easiest and fastest way to update, that's why many people perform the update in Settings > General > Software Update. However, we've heard that things are freezing before they finish. Some people also complain that their iPhone stuck on verifying update and it seems the update will never be finished.
How to fix this? The answer seems to be a hard reboot. For the detailed steps, please refer to Part 3. When it's done, go to Settings > General > About to check if you are on iOS 9. If not, repeat the update process. Alternatively, you can also use iTunes to download & install the update through your computer.
6. Stuck in Recovery Mode/iTunes Logo
Common iOS 9 Update Problems – Stuck on iTunes Logo
Your iPhone may get into recovery mode or stuck on connect to iTunes logo due to various reasons, and iOS 9 update could be one of the most common causes.
iOS 9 or other versions of iOS update.
Factory resetting.
Wrong operation during jailbreak.
Other unknown reasons. Sometimes your iPhone may suddenly get into recovery mode with unknown reasons.
Follow the steps to get out of iTunes logo if you stuck in Recovery Mode when upgrading to the newest iOS 9. Before start, make sure you have installed the latest version of iTunes: Open iTunes and click Help in the main menu > Select Check for Updates > Download the latest iTunes version to continue.
Step 1. Hold both the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons down for a minimum of 10 seconds, or until the device turns off.
Step 2. Push the Sleep/Wake button again to turn on your iPhone. If your iPhone is not in Recovery Mode, the problem is resolved. If it still sticks, continue to step 3.
Step 3. Launch iTunes and connect the iPhone to your computer. You should see a notification in iTunes says that iTunes has detected an iPhone in Recovery Mode. Click Ok.
Step 4. Click the device icon on the left side of the iTunes window, and select the "Summary" tab.
Step 5. Click the "Restore" button.
7. Wi-Fi Issues
Quite a lot of people have been talking about Wi-Fi problem after updating devices to iOS 9. It is not the first time iPhone users are running into Wi-Fi issues. You can try to fix Wi-Fi issues on your iOS 9 devices by following workarounds.
iOS 9 Problems – Wi-Fi Issues
Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings. Your device will reset all network settings. Connect to the Wi-Fi again to see if things pan out well this time.
Switch on Airplane mode: You can temporarily switch on Airplane mode and then turn it off to see if the Wi-Fi issues be solved. Swipe up from the bottom to bring the Control Center > Toggle Airplane mode on for 10 seconds > Toggle it to off.
Disable Wi-Fi Networking in System Service: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Turn off Wi-Fi Networking. This does not turn off wireless networking in iOS entirely. This only relates to your location being used for Wi-Fi Networking, so it doesn't disable Wi-Fi entirely.
Change DNS Settings to Google: Settings > Wi-Fi > Tap on the (i) button to the right of the router name > Scroll down to DNS and tap the numbers, then enter "8.8.8.8".
8. Bluetooth Problems
iOS 9 Problems and Solutions – Bluetooth Issues
The Bluetooth issues after iOS 9 update doesn't affect everyone, but it absolutely causing troubles to quite a few. For example, some people have trouble connecting the iPhone to the in-car Bluetooth systems, or Bluetooth suddenly disconnecting when a call comes in, or sometimes the connection drops frequently.
Turn off Bluetooth and restart your iPhone or iPad.
Repair the Device you Connect: Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Choose the device you are having issues with > Tap on the info button next to the device > Tapon Forget This Device.
Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You need to set up your Wi-Fi connections again after doing this.
Try restoring your iPhone iPad: You can restore your device from iTunes or iCloud. Bear in mind that it will erase your existed data so you'd better back up your iPhone or iPad in advance.
9. iOS 9 is Running Slow on Old iPhone iPad
Check the compatibility list of iOS 9 you will find that iPhone 4s and iPad 2 are also supported by iOS 9. However, not all iOS 9 features will be available for them. In the meantime, users of older iPhone and iPad may be looking for ways to speed up their iPhone/iPad running iOS 9. If are really feeling that iOS 9 is slowing down of time on your old device, there are a couple of fixes you can take to speed up your iOS 9.
iOS 9 Issues and Solutions – iOS 9 is Running Slow
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Kill Reduce Motion: Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion, and turn the switch off
Perform a Hard Reboot: Holding down the Power button and Home button concurrently together until the Apple logo appears.
Wipe and Restore the iPhone or iPad: Backup your device to iCloud or iTunes, or both, and then reset the device to factory settings.
Clean up Your Old Device Completely: You can remove the various kinds of junk files like app cache, cookies, temp files on your device to make old iPhone iPad run faster. PhoneClean, a professional iOS cleaning tool is the best & quick way to go.
Also Read:
How is the Other on My iPhone and How to Remove it >
How to Make iPhone 4s/5/5s/5c/6 Run Faster >
10. iOS 9 Battery Life Issues
The new "Low Power Mode" of iOS 9 lets you extend your battery life to some degree. It can be programmed to activate when the battery reaches 20%, or manually at any time. For many users the iOS 9 battery life is very good, but few users report iOS 9 battery life darning fast. Here are some quick tips to extend iOS 9 battery life.
iOS 9 Problems and Solutions – iOS 9 Battery Issues
Firstly, go to Settings > General > Usage > Battery Usage to see if there is an app that is the chief culprits. You may need to delete the app or get an alternative.
Stop streaming music from Apple Music, because it will burn your iOS battery life faster. You can try downloading songs onto your device's local storage instead of streaming them from the web.
Turn on Airplane mode if you're in a place with poor service. This is because when you are in a bad service zone, your phone will continually switch between connections and that can have a negative impact on your iOS 9 device.
Try to restart your phone or Reset All Settings. Open Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings and then enter your pass code.
Related Reading: Top Maintenance Tips & Tricks for iPhone 6 (Plus) >
11. Data Loss After iOS 9 Upgrade
iOS 9 Problems and Solutions – Data Loss After iOS 9 Update
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Updating to new OS is never out of rick, and a large number of people suffered data loss during iOS 9 update, say, update fails, device goes to recovery mode, or data deletion for more update space.
Luckily, there is still possibility to get lost data back. If you have created backup via iTunes or iCloud before downloading iOS 9, you can try restoring your device. If not, some professional iOS data recovery likePhoneRescue can do you a big favor, it helps directly recover lost data from device without help. For more details, you can refer to How to Recover Data After iOS 9 Update.
Related Reading:
How to Retrieve Deleted Texts on iPhone 6/6s >
How to Recover Lost Notes on iPhone 6/6s >
12. iMessages Failing to Send on iOS 9
A handful of users report they fail to send iMessages or it takes a long time to finish. This doesn't happen to everyone, but it certainly causes headaches to few people. With a limited text plan, this can be really frustrating.
iOS 9 Issues and Solutions – iMessages Not Working
Check Network Settings/Wi-Fi: iMessage works on the 3G/Wi-Fi network. Sometimes, it doesn't work even if there is an active connection but it's poor. Make sure you're closer to the source/router. If you are on 3G network, try restarting the cellular connections.
Turn Off and then Turn On iMessages Again: Settings > Messages > Turn Off iMessage and turn on it again.
Make sure you send the message to an iMessage-user.
Sign out of Apple ID (go to Send & Receive) and then re-sign in again. Repeat the turn Off-On after this.
Try resetting your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
You May Like: How to Recover Deleted iMessages on iPad with Texts & Images >
13. iOS 9 Displaying Incorrect Time on iPhone/iPad
A few iOS 9 users report that their iPhone or iPad displays wrong time. There are three quick fixes to solve this problem. Hope one of them works for you.
iOS 9 Problems – iPhone/iPad Showing Wrong Time
The first solution is to turn off automatic time update and set the time manually. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically > Toggle it to Off > Now set the correct time.
Close the clock apps you download from App Store: If you download some clock apps from the App Store, you may need to close it to solve this problem. Double click the Home button to open the fast app switcher interface > Find the clock app > Swipe up to close it.
Restart your iPhone or iPad: Press and hold the sleep/wake button. When you see the slider, drag it to power off. Once your iPhone or iPad is off, now press the same button and turn it on.
14. Apps Keep Crashing on iOS 9
iOS 9 Issues – Apps Keep Crashing
Re-Install the App: If the app keeps crashing when you launch it, you'd better remove it and re-download it from the App Store.
Check Apps Update: Open App Store from your iPhone or iPad > Tap Updates > Check if the app needs update.
Restart your iPhone or iPad: Hold down the Sleep/Wake button to power it off and turn it on.
Close the app: Open Multitasking by double pressing the Home button > Swipe the non-response apps up to close it.
Also Read: How to Transfer Apps from iPhone to iPhone Directly >
15. Failed to Activate iMessage and FaceTime After iOS 9
Some users report in Macrumors Forum that they are unable to activate iMessage and FaceTime on iPhone 6.
"I previously had the iOS 9.1 beta on my phone, but reverted back to the public release of iOS 9. Since downgrading today I've had this problem. I checked Apple's status page and all services appear to be functioning properly and Google searches have come up dry, leading me to believe that this is a problem on my end."
-- Arkanok from Macrumors Forum
iOS 9 Problems – iMessages/FaceTime Activation Problem
Make sure that you have connected to cellular data or Wi-Fi network. If you're using an iPhone, you'll need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS.
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure that you've set up your time zone correctly.
Turn off iMessage and FaceTime and restart your iPhone iPad: Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage (Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime) > Restart your device > Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.
16. No Notification Sound on iPhone/iPad after iOS 9 Update
iOS 9 Problems – No Notification Sound on iPhone/iPad
A few users complain that they lost notification sound with incoming calls, texts, emails, FaceTime, games and other apps. This problem happens on both iPhone an iPad - notification sounds not working.
Go to Settings and make sure you do not have Do Not Disturb activated. Check the volume on the ringer.
Check the mute button. Your iPhone might get frozen in mute mode. Flick the Mute button on and off several times.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Hold the home and lock button together for few seconds until the iPhone restarts itself.
Go to Notifications and disable notifications for messages. Turn off your phone and turn it on again.
17. iPhone/iPad Won't Turn On After iOS 9 Update
Common iOS 9 Problems – iPhone Won't Turn On
iPhones and iPads can freeze completely, especially when you update your device to a new system, say, iOS 9. Lots of users meet the problem of iPhone won't turn on when performing iOS 9 update. Try the fixes below:
Perform a hard reset: Press both the Power and Home buttons and hold them down. Keep holding both buttons down until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. The logo should appear between ten and twenty seconds after you start holding the buttons. After the Apple logo appears, your iPhone or iPad will boot back up normally.
Charge your iPhone: Connect the iPhone to the iPhone's USB power adapter and let it charge for at least ten minutes.
Get iPhone into Recovery Mode: Turn off you iPhone and just plug the USB cable into computer > Hold the HOME button when you connect USB to iPhone > Release the HOME button when you see the iTunes logo.
18. No Low Power Mode on iPad After Updating to iOS 9
No Low Power Mode on iPad
As Apple reclaims the Low Power Mode of iOS 9 lets you have 1 hour of additional time before charging, and this new feature lets you extend your battery life. Yes, iPhone users can enable Low Power Mode in: Settings > Battery > Turn on Low Power Mode. However, the iPad users notice that there is NO Low Power Mode in Setting on their iPad.
Actually, this is not an iOS 9 bug or something, it's just because this feature is only available on iPhones. We also thought that this is mostly because that iPhones struggle much more with battery life than iPads. So, if you have updated your iPad to iOS 9 and found no Low Power Mode on it, don't be panic, it is possible that Apple will add this feature to iPad in the following updates.
19. Stuck on Contacting the iPhone/iPad Software Update Server
Some users reported, to avoid surging crowds, they tried to upgrade their iPhone or iPad with iTunes instead of Over The Air, but only to find their iPhone/iPad is stuck on co