Fix iPhone App Icons Turn Grey or Show “Waiting” After iOS Update

As a busy mom of two and a Marketing Manager at a tech startup in Austin, Texas, I’m always on the go and rely on my iPhone to stay organized and connected. But after a recent iOS update, I noticed that some of my app icons had turned grey or were showing “Waiting” – a frustrating issue that I’m sure many of you have experienced too. In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of this problem and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it.

Understanding the Issue: Why iPhone App Icons Turn Grey or Show “Waiting”

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a closer look at why this issue occurs in the first place. When you update your iOS, it’s not uncommon for some apps to malfunction or behave erratically. This can be due to a variety of factors, including:

Possible Causes of Grey or Waiting App Icons

• Incompatible app versions: If an app is not optimized for the latest iOS version, it may not function properly, leading to grey or waiting icons.
• Corrupted app data: Sometimes, app data can become corrupted during the update process, causing the app to malfunction.
• Insufficient storage space: If your iPhone is running low on storage space, it may not be able to download or update apps properly, resulting in grey or waiting icons.
• Software glitches: iOS updates can sometimes introduce software glitches that affect app performance and cause grey or waiting icons.

Now that we’ve identified some of the possible causes, let’s move on to the solutions. In the next section, we’ll explore some basic troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Grey or Waiting App Icons

Before you start panicking or trying out complex solutions, it’s essential to try some basic troubleshooting steps. These steps can often resolve the issue quickly and easily, saving you time and frustration. Here are some steps to try:

Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue. To restart your iPhone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears. Slide the slider to the right to turn off your iPhone, then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears.

Check for App Updates

Ensure that all your apps are up-to-date, as outdated apps can cause grey or waiting icons. To check for app updates, open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, and scroll down to the “Available Updates” section. Tap “Update All” to update all your apps at once.

Close and Reopen the App

Try closing and reopening the app to see if it resolves the issue. To close an app, double-tap the Home button (or swipe up and hold on iPhone X and later), find the app, and swipe it up and away. Then, tap the app icon to reopen it.

Check Storage Space

Ensure that your iPhone has sufficient storage space to download and update apps. To check your storage space, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Storage. If your storage space is low, consider deleting unused apps, photos, or videos to free up space.

These basic troubleshooting steps can often resolve the issue, but if you’re still experiencing problems, it’s time to move on to more advanced solutions. In the next section, we’ll explore some additional steps you can take to fix grey or waiting app icons.

Advanced Solutions to Fix Grey or Waiting App Icons

If the basic troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the issue, it’s time to try some more advanced solutions. These steps require a bit more technical know-how, but they can often resolve the issue when the basic steps don’t work. Here are some advanced solutions to try:

Reset App Preferences

Resetting app preferences can sometimes resolve issues with grey or waiting app icons. To reset app preferences, go to Settings > General > Reset, and tap “Reset all settings”. This will reset all your app preferences to their default settings.

Clear App Cache and Data

Clearing app cache and data can also resolve issues with grey or waiting app icons. To clear app cache and data, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app, and tap “Delete Data” or “Delete App” to clear its cache and data.

Reinstall the App

Reinstalling the app can sometimes resolve issues with grey or waiting app icons. To reinstall an app, press and hold the app icon until it starts wiggling, then tap the “X” in the top left corner to delete it. Then, go to the App Store, find the app, and tap “Get” to reinstall it.

Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings can also resolve issues with grey or waiting app icons. To reset network settings, go to Settings > General > Reset, and tap “Reset network settings”. This will reset all your network settings to their default settings.

These advanced solutions can often resolve the issue, but if you’re still experiencing problems, it’s time to consider more drastic measures. In the next section, we’ll explore some final solutions to fix grey or waiting app icons.

Final Solutions to Fix Grey or Waiting App Icons

If none of the above solutions work, it’s time to consider some final solutions to fix grey or waiting app icons. These steps require a bit more technical know-how and may involve restoring your iPhone or contacting Apple support. Here are some final solutions to try:

Restore Your iPhone

Restoring your iPhone can sometimes resolve issues with grey or waiting app icons. To restore your iPhone, connect it to your computer, open iTunes, and select your iPhone. Click “Summary” and then click “Restore iPhone” to restore your iPhone to its factory settings.

Contact Apple Support

If none of the above solutions work, it’s time to contact Apple support for further assistance. You can contact Apple support by phone, email, or online chat. They can help you troubleshoot the issue and provide additional solutions to fix grey or waiting app icons.

Conclusion

Fixing grey or waiting app icons on your iPhone can be a frustrating experience, but with the right solutions, you can resolve the issue quickly and easily. In this article, we’ve explored some basic troubleshooting steps, advanced solutions, and final solutions to fix grey or waiting app icons. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your apps working smoothly again.

Remember to always keep your iPhone and apps up-to-date, as this can help prevent issues with grey or waiting app icons. Additionally, be sure to regularly back up your iPhone to prevent data loss in case you need to restore it.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found this article helpful! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The author, Jessica, is a Marketing Manager at a tech startup and is not an official Apple representative. The solutions provided in this article are based on her own research and experience, and may not work for everyone. If you’re experiencing issues with your iPhone, please contact Apple support for official assistance and guidance.