Why an iPhone's Maps App Might Operate Slowly

The iPhone is able to handle many of the duties of other household gadgets, including the GPS. The Maps app and other apps like MotionX can be used to navigate around town or around the country easily and with startling accuracy.

Of course, a dedicated car GPS is a better choice for frequent travelers, because the iPhone simply wasn't designed to be the best GPS device on the market. It can suffer from occasional speed hiccups, but in some cases, the iPhone--and the Maps app in particular--can become unnaturally, infuriatingly slow.

There are several reasons for tremendous lag and slowdown when using the Maps app on an iPhone. Here's a look at a few common causes of the issue and how to fix them.

Another app is using the GPS. It seems like the iPhone has had multitasking for ages, but multitasking doesn't always work properly, especially when two apps are trying to use the iPhone's GPS at the same time.

Memory leak issues can occur when several apps are trying to use the GPS, resulting in a Maps app that processes commands very slowly. The app might even crash or display a blank screen.

To fix this, close other apps that use the iPhone's GPS. Go to the home screen and double-click the "Home" button to bring up a list of running apps, then hold your finger on one app for a few seconds until a red circle with a white minus sign appears. Tap the minus sign to close any apps that you aren't using.

The Maps app can't access the GPS properly. The Maps app may be trying to use the iPhone's GPS, but for some reason, it can't send the proper command. This can occur when the iPhone's been running for a very long time without a good restart. Restarting an iPhone sort of frees up the hardware, allowing apps to easily associate the processes that they need to perform with the tools they need to perform them.

If that sounds complicated, just think of it like this--the iPhone's waiting for the GPS to get out of the bathroom, but the GPS locked itself in the stall and the only way to get out is by completely restarting the system. It's a strained analogy, sure, but you get the general idea.

Restart the iPhone by holding the top button and then swiping when the red bar appears.

Corruption issues. Data corruption can stop your iPhone from accessing parts of its operating system. To fix data corruption, you can try restarting the iPhone or you can plug it into a computer and completely restore its software. Restoring the software is a last resort, but if the Maps app is perpetually slow, it may be necessary.

If none of these tips work, the GPS receiver in your iPhone may not be functioning correctly. Note whether the iPhone gets excessively hot or warm when using the Maps app and other GPS apps. This will be important when you get the phone fixed by Apple or through an independent repair shop.

Any other tips for fixing a Maps app that's running too slowly? Post below.