Top 7 Ways to Fix Apps Won’t Open on iPhone

While the ready-to-use Apple apps are good enough for the majority out there, the real treasure lies in the App Store app. But what’s the point of using hundreds of third-party apps when they don’t open on the iPhone in the first place? If you encounter the same issue, read on to learn how to fix apps not opening on iPhone.

There are various reasons why apps won’t open on iPhone. Maybe the app is updating in the background or you have reached the screen time limit for the app. Nevertheless, we will discuss all the scenarios and fix the problem for you.

1. Restart iPhone

Restarting is the first thing you can do to fix minor iPhone issues like iPhone not receiving calls, texts or opening an app. Here’s what you need to do.

Stage 1: Open the Settings app on iPhone.

Step 2: Go to the general menu.

Stage 3: Scroll down and select Close.

Step 4: Slide the toggle and your device will be completely turned off.

After a few minutes, keep pressing the power button and turn on the iPhone.

2. Updating Apps

There may be times when you are trying to update dozens of apps on iPhone at the same time. When you hit the Update All button in the App Store, all the apps in the update line will be disabled. You won’t open the app on iPhone if they are updating in the background.

You have no choice but to wait in the background for iOS to complete the update process. Meanwhile, you can connect your iPhone to a faster Wi-Fi connection and complete the update process quickly.

3. Remove the App from Screen Time

Because there are so many apps and games on iPhone, users often get addicted to them. Apple offers a Screen Time function that lets you set a time limit on apps on iPhone and iPad.

If you’ve already used the daily time limit for a particular app on your iPhone, it will be grayed out and you won’t be able to open it. You can extend the time limit or uninstall apps or games from the Screen Time menu. Here’s how.

Stage 1: Open the Settings app on iPhone.

Step 2: Go to the Screen Time menu.

Stage 3: Select App Limits and you can see apps with daily time limit.

Step 4: Go to each menu and you can extend the time limit or tap on the Delete Limit option at the bottom.

4. Update App

Are you encountering a problem with a particular app? If there is an update for the app, you can go to the App Store and install the latest app build on iPhone.

Try opening the app again on the iPhone.

5. Force Apps to Quit Background

Most users do not force quit apps on iPhone. They keep the app open in the multitasking menu. You have to close the app completely from the multitasking menu and then reopen the app on your iPhone.

For iPhone X and above, you can swipe up and hold from the bottom. This brings up the multitasking menu. Use swipe up gesture on app card and remove app from background.

iPhone users with a home button can access the multitasking menu by double-clicking the home button.

6. Unloading Application

Sometimes, a large app size with lots of documents and data can affect an app on iPhone. You have to empty the app from the Settings menu.

This will free up the storage used by the app, but preserve its documents and data. Reinstalling the app will restore the data.

Stage 1: On iPhone, open the Settings app and go to General > iPhone Storage.

Step 2: You will see a detailed breakdown of app data on iPhone.

Stage 3: Open the problematic application and select Unload Application from the menu below.

You can check the remaining storage space on iPhone from the same storage menu. If your storage is running low, you need to remove unnecessary apps and files from the phone.

7. Update iOS

Apps not opening on iPhone may be due to an old iOS build on the phone. You need to go to Settings > General and open the Software Update menu. Install the latest update on your iPhone and try opening the apps again.

Access Apps on iPhone

Finally, you can contact the app developer via email or social media and share your iPhone model with iOS version. In most cases, you should be able to access apps on your iPhone. Which trick worked for you? Share your findings in the comments below.