iPhone Keyboard Lagging? What To Try, Step By Step

Guide 9b · Settings

Typing feels slow, or the keyboard takes a second to pop up? This is almost always software. Start with Step 1.

Works on: Every iPhone. Menu names below are for a current iOS.

Step 1: Close And Reopen The App

Lag in one app only? Swipe that app away from your open apps, then open it again. Still slow? Update it in the App Store.

Step 2: Restart The Phone

Turn it off and on. If a button is broken, use our restart without buttons guide.

Step 3: Free Up Storage

A nearly full phone can slow everything down, typing included. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Our free up storage guide walks you through it.

Step 4: Remove Extra Keyboards

1. Open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard.
2. Tap Keyboards. Swipe left on any keyboard you don't use and tap Delete.

Using a keyboard app from the App Store? Switch back to the built-in keyboard for a day to see if the lag stops.

Step 5: Update iOS

Open Settings > General > Software Update and install anything shown.

Step 6: Reset The Keyboard Dictionary

This resets autocorrect's learned words. Messages, photos and apps stay.

1. Open Settings, tap General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Reset, then Reset Keyboard Dictionary.
3. Enter your passcode to confirm.

Careful: don't tap Erase All Content and Settings on that screen. That one erases the phone.

Still Lagging?

If the screen also misses taps outside the keyboard, it may be a screen problem. I can check it.

Source: Reset iPhone settings, Restart an unresponsive iPhone (Apple Support, checked Oct 18, 2026).

Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple.