Life

Why Isn't iOS 10 Working?

by Emma Cueto

We rely on our phones for everything, from staying connected with loved ones to managing our schedules to figuring out where we even are, so when your phone starts to be bug-y, it's enough to send you into a tailspin. So why is iOS 10 not working on your phone? Well, there are a few common problems it might be having.

We all tend to think of Apple technology and the people who create it as infallible; however, like everything else in this world, iPhones, iPods, and iPads aren't perfect. The iPhone 4 had some antenna problems; iOS 7 went through a time when it crashed 90 percent of apps; iOS 8 came with its own glitches; and the iPhone 5 had battery life issues (which prompted Apple to offer battery replacements). Additionally, the iPhone 6's bigger size was a boon for people who like a larger screen on their devices, but it sometimes had trouble fitting inside pockets.

And future Apple products, be it the iPhone 7 or the iPhone 25, will also not be perfect. And that's OK, because there is no such thing as a perfect product. Sure, it can be frustrating when you're dealing with a malfunction, but let me offer forth this as a salve: If your phone is having trouble with iOS 10, here are some reasons why it might be happening, and what you can do about them.

1. Your iPhone Is Too Old

If you have anything that came out before the iPhone 5, you really can't run iOS 10; it's only compatible with iPhone 5 and newer devices. Sadly, for this problem, the only fix is probably to live with the bugs or upgrade your phone.

2. Your Touch Screen Isn't Working

This has been a problem for iOS versions in the past, too. Holding down the power button and home button until the phone restarts usually takes care of the problem.

3. You're Running The Beta Version

The official release date for iOS 10 is Sept. 13, 2016, according to the Sept. 7 Apple keynote presentation. It's been available for public beta since July 2016, though, so if you installed the beta version but haven't updated it to the official release yet, that might be the problem — by definition, beta versions are not perfected.

4. There Are Problems With Your WiFi

If your iOS 10 is giving you wifi trouble, your best bet may be to reset your WiFi settings (a fix which works for iOS 9). It means your phone will forget all your saved WiFi passwords, but it's worth it to be able to use the Internet in peace.

5. Your Cellular Data Isn't Working

If your iOS 10 isn't accessing cellular data the way it's supposed to, you can try restarting the phone, or turning your cellular data off and then on again, by going to Settings and finding Cellular Data.

6. An App Won't Work

If one of your apps is acting up, it could be a problem with the app itself. But if the problem is caused by your phone or iPad, you can try uninstalling and then re-installing the app — for some apps, though, this might mean giving up all your app-related data, if it isn't stored anywhere other than your phone. So you might find yourself having to replay all those levels of Candy Crush, for instance.

Happy troubleshooting!

Images: Tim Gouw/Pexels; Giphy (6)