14 DAY TRIAL // UPDATE: Here is a very simple trick to fix the freezing links in Safari in iOS 9.3. This workaround only does the job for Safari, and not other apps on an impacted iPhone. Original story below.
The iOS 9.3 update that Apple rolled out last week seems to be causing trouble not only for customers with an old iPad but also for those owning the newest iPhones.
Posts on the company’s discussion board reveal that a number of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus devices are experiencing app freezes when clicking on links inside Safari browser, Mail, Notes, and other apps that can display links.
The first complaints regarding the problem appeared on March 24, shortly after Apple pushed out the iOS 9.3 update, and continue these days, although the company has reportedly promised an update to address these problems.
Users posting on Apple’s forums explained that the problem is experienced only on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, and clearing Safari history data, cache, rebooting the phone and other standard workarounds make no difference.
“Never had any problems with my iPhone 6S. Just upgraded to iOS 9.3 without any issues. After the upgrade, I can't click links when searching something on Google in Safari or clicking a link in the Mail, the apps just freeze,” one user posted.
Apple working on a patch around the clock
Apple reportedly acknowledged the problem when contacted by some customers impacted by the problem, and the company promised to deliver a fix as soon as possible. Up to this point, there is no news regarding a possible patch, but we’re being told that one should be provided this week.
“I chatted with Apple Support last night and was told that they're aware of the problem and that their engineers are working on an update (presumably, iOS 9.3.1), and that the update should arrive within the next two days. Fingers crossed,” one user explained.
For the moment, turning to other browsers doesn’t make any difference because it appears that the bug affects every single application running on these iPhones and that can display links.