10 Common iPhone XS Problems and How to Fix them

The list of iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max issues is starting to grow as we head into 2020.

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have been on the shelves for over a year, which means we’ve received a lot of feedback from flagship device owners.

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max reviews are mostly good, but various issues are plaguing the two devices.

We do not know when Apple plans to release the next update for the two devices. The iOS 13.3 update is currently in beta, but it could be weeks before Apple pulls the software from testing. For now, you’re on your own.

Fortunately, most problems can be fixed without an update from Apple or a visit to the Genius Bar. In this guide, we’ll take you to fixes for the most common iPhone XS problems. Our fix list includes solutions for Face ID issues, Wi-Fi issues, Bluetooth issues, and more.

How to Fix iPhone XS iCloud Restore Issues

If your new iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max gets stuck updating iCloud Settings, you need to perform a hard reset.

To force restart your iPhone XS, here’s what you need to do:

At this point your device should reboot itself. You’ll want to try the process again when it turns back on.

If you encounter iCloud Restore problems on your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, you’ll want to create a local backup on your computer and then restore that backup to your phone.

If for some reason you are unable to back up your old iPhone’s data, check our list of iCloud backup problems and fixes. Apple too published its own guide iCloud backup problems and worth a look if you can’t fix it yourself.

How to Fix iPhone XS Face ID Issues

Like the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max feature Face ID unlocking instead of Touch ID. Face ID allows you to unlock your phone using your face and the device’s camera.

Face ID issues are extremely common and we also encounter issues for iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max users trying to set it up for the first time.

If your device isn’t registering your face for Face ID, make sure you scan your face in a well-lit room. You may also need to bring the iPhone XS closer to your face or make it flatter.

Some users are experiencing issues with this feature after the installation is complete. If you’re having trouble using your face to unlock your phone, make sure you’re actively looking at the screen. For Face ID to work, you need to pay attention to the phone.

Over time, Face ID will learn your face, so you may need to rescan your face if you constantly change your appearance.

If your problems persist, we recommend that you go in. Contact Apple Support You may need to take your phone to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store so they can diagnose.

How to Fix iPhone XS Bluetooth Issues

Some iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max users are noticing Bluetooth issues. Some users cannot connect to Bluetooth devices. If you can’t wait for Apple to release the next iOS 13 update, here are a few things to try.

If you still can’t connect your iPhone XS to your Bluetooth device:

You can also try resetting your iPhone X’s settings to factory defaults. To do this go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This also causes the device to forget all stored Wi-Fi passwords.

You’ll also want to download Apple’s latest iOS update.

How To Fix iPhone XS Battery Life Issues

Most iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max owners get great battery life at first, but we’ve seen a few complaints about the battery draining strangely.

If your battery life suddenly drops, it’s probably not a hardware issue. It is most likely related to the software you are running on your phone.

If you don’t know what to do, take a look at our list of fixes for bad battery life. It will guide you through the best ways to fix battery drain and maintain great battery life throughout the day.

How to Fix iPhone XS Wi-Fi Issues

It looks like several iPhone XS users are dealing with Wi-Fi issues. Some users are having issues connecting to their network, while others are complaining of slow speeds.

If your iPhone XS is suddenly unable to connect to Wi-Fi or you’re noticing slower-than-normal speeds, we have a few things to try.

If you’re seeing slower than normal download speeds, try resetting your device’s network settings.

You may also want to reset the settings of your iPhone XS to factory defaults. Tap Reset All Settings from the same menu.

Next, check your router and Internet Service Provider (ISP) for an outage. Control DownDetector for reports on your ISP as there may be an outage in your area. You can also check with your provider’s customer service representatives.

If you’re sure it’s not outage, it’s time to take a look at your router. Unplug your router for a minute and plug the power cord back in.

If you cannot access the router you are using or it is working normally, go to your settings and try these solutions.

First, you’ll want to turn Wi-Fi off and back on to see if it fast-starts the connection.

If it’s still giving you trouble, you’ll want to force your iPhone XS to forget the Wi-Fi network that was giving you trouble.

If you haven’t already, you’ll want to download Apple’s latest iOS 13 update.

How To Fix iPhone XS Cellular Data Issues

iPhone XS users are also facing cellular data issues.

If you see the “No Service” symbol and cannot connect to your service provider, restart your phone. This usually fixes the problem, at least temporarily.

If that doesn’t work, check your service provider for outages. you will want to check Down Detector and search for reports on social media. You may also want to contact your service provider’s customer service line.

If you’re sure it has nothing to do with the outage, turn Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds before turning it off. Check your cellular connection again.

If Airplane Mode doesn’t help, try turning Cellular Data and/or LTE off and on.

If you want to turn off Cellular Data completely without turning off your other services:

Turn it back on and check your connection.

You’ll also want to download Apple’s latest iOS 13 update.

How to Prevent iPhone XS Screen Burn

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Plus both use OLED displays. They are beautiful, but prone to burning problems.

When Apple released the iPhone X in 2017, Caution The device’s OLED display may cause “image persistence” and/or “burn-in” over time.

This means that if the device’s screen is left on for a long time, you may see a static image (for example, app icons) burned out on the screen. It’s a common problem with OLED displays and can affect your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max if you’re not careful.

Apple can’t fix this issue with a software update, but there are ways to ensure you never experience screen burn-in on your new device.

First, you’ll want to set the time it takes for your iPhone XS to turn off the screen when you’re not using it. To do this:

You’ll also want to be mindful of your screen brightness. Reducing the brightness can help keep screen burn to a minimum. There are several ways to do this:

How to Fix iPhone XS Sound Problems

Your iPhone XS stereo speakers should produce loud and clear sound. However, if your voice starts to crackle or hoarse, there are a few things you should try.

The first thing to do is to restart your iPhone XS. You can also try doing a hard reset if the normal way does not fix the problem.

If you still notice the problem, try turning Bluetooth off and on. If the device’s sound is still missing or distorted, make sure that there is no debris blocking the speaker grill or the Lightning port of the device.

If you start to notice a sudden drop in call quality, restart your device. You’ll also want to check the device’s receiver to make sure it’s not blocked by debris or your screen protector. The receiver is the small slit located at the top of the screen next to the front-facing camera.

You can also try removing your vault or switching LTE from Voice & Data to Data only to see if it helps. To do this:

If your iPhone XS microphone suddenly stops working or starts cutting out randomly, try restarting your phone. This usually fixes the problem.

If the microphone is still broken, you can try restoring your phone from a backup. If the restore doesn’t work, you’ll want to contact Apple as it could be a hardware issue.

How to Fix iPhone XS Performance Issues

If you’re dealing with an abnormal amount of UI lag, freezing, crashing, or general poor performance, please check our list of fixes for performance issues.

How to Fix iPhone XS Wireless Charging Issues

If wireless charging stops and you’re using a case to store credit cards or security cards, you’ll want to remove them before charging your phone. You could also try removing your case and experimenting that way.

If you’re using a third-party accessory to charge your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, make sure the charger is Apple certified. You can do it via Apple’s website.