Several iPhone 3G users have experienced a significant slowdown, including slow app launching, delayed reactions to taps, and generally poor interface responsiveness, after the iOS 4.0.x update.
We previously noted a few fixes for this issue (performing a hard reset, restoring but not from backup and closing extraneous Safari windows) with which users have experienced some success.
Users have now reported that the following procedures can also provide a significant speed boost. Unfortunately, they also disable key functionality:
Turn off Spotlight. Navigate to Settings -> General -> Spotlight Search and turn off all the options by tapping each one. Next, perform a hard reset by holding down the sleep/wake and home buttons simultaneously for roughly 15-20 seconds, until the screen powers off then an Apple logo appears, which signifies a reboot.
You can experiment with turning off only some options, but most users only report a meaningful speed boost if all options are turned off.
Turn off MMS. Navigate to Settings > Messages > MMS messaging and slide MMS Messaging to “Off,” then perform a hard reset as described above.
July 29, 2010 at 12:46 AM
I personally can’t find the Spotlight Search settings you describe above. Is this something that is carrier or country dependent? I’m using OS 4.0.1 on an iPhone 3G (in the UK).
July 29, 2010 at 12:52 AM
Ah, figured it out. Settings > General > Home Button > Spotlight Search
July 29, 2010 at 1:57 AM
Thanks. One thing though, in iOS4, the spotlight search is located under: Settings -> General -> Home Button -> Spotlight Search.
August 17, 2010 at 3:37 PM
Tried fixes but they didn’t provide any imorovement for my iPhone3G
August 18, 2010 at 8:39 AM
if im in the philippines what will i do to downgrade the iphone3g 4.1 to 3.1 version
August 24, 2010 at 3:05 AM
@hony: contact your local authorities and see if the chief of police can help you.
August 31, 2010 at 11:04 AM
that was super helpful!
thanks so so much.
September 2, 2010 at 10:01 AM
these did nothing for me its still a load of crap and slow! Im getting rid of this piece of shit and getting a Blackberry:)
September 6, 2010 at 7:09 PM
tried all the above and still no joy, how frustrating thanks very much Steve Jobs for turning a great device into one I want to donate to Davy Jones
September 24, 2010 at 7:11 AM
My previously treasured iPhone now sucks. What a pain it is to use. I’ve missed important calls because it’s so slow I can’t answer in time.
October 6, 2010 at 6:56 AM
This phone is going backwards in performance. I wonder if this is a way to move users from the 3G to the 4G.
Is this an attempt to prevent jailbreaking the phone through software?
Between frequent and lengthy iTunes updates and iphone updates that slow the phone down, I am getting less than impressed with Apple products.
October 24, 2010 at 1:18 PM
I’ve always loved my iphone, but it literally is slow piece of shit now.. It is honestly ridiculous.. if they don’t have a fix soon, I’m going to the dark side…
November 23, 2010 at 9:21 PM
Suggestions all suck! I didnt buy a broken phone now it is = FIX IT! Its your job, why should I have to dump everything reload and hope I didnt loose anything in the transfer just to get the damn phone to work right. America is stupid for putting up with this. Oh yeah – buy a new 4G and dont have a problem. What a travesty. For all you polo wearing experts at Apple travesty in this case means screw job.
March 17, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Well. I have been a iPhone user from the beginning. First they charge you $600.00 for the first iPhone. Only then a month later sell it half the cost. So they decided to give you a refund of only $200.00 that could only be spent at apple store for shit I didn’t need. Then the lovely 3G. Nothing realy new just more memory an a few hard apps. Waste of money. Now the wonderful 3GS. Yes you were able to get it cheaper. But. Now it runs as fast as the first iPhone they came our with. Then to rub salt in the wallet. They now gave version the chance to sell them. Was nice when AT&T was Cingular. They were at the top of the game. Cingular gave a shit. But I have to say. I will never buy another iPhone again. Good luck with the Mac books. And all the other shit that is over priced and won’t work a month after you buy it. Very very very disappointed customer!