Key bouncing off a padlock symbolizing failed login session
If you sign in on your iPhone and the app immediately throws you back to the start screen (or acts like you’re still logged out), you’re not alone. This is usually a “session” problem: the app can’t save or read the login token it just received.

It’s fixable, and you can do it without risky workarounds.

Before you start: if you can, note whether it happens on Wi‑Fi only, cellular only, or both. That one detail often points to the cause.

1. Force close the app and restart your iPhone

A stuck session process can cause the app to lose the “logged in” state right after authentication.

  • Force close the app (swipe up from the app switcher).
  • Restart your iPhone.
  • Open the app and try signing in once more.

If it works after a restart, the issue was likely a temporary app or network stack glitch.

2. Turn off VPN, iCloud Private Relay, and ad blockers (temporarily)

Shield and Wi‑Fi icon with a broken connection link
Anything that changes or filters network traffic can break login handshakes, especially if the app uses embedded web sign-in.

  • VPN: Settings > VPN (or your VPN app) > disconnect.
  • iCloud Private Relay: Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Private Relay > off.
  • Ad/tracker blocking DNS profiles: if you use one (AdGuard/NextDNS/etc.), pause it for a minute.

Then try signing in again. If it starts working, re-enable your protection and add an allowlist/exception for the app or its sign-in domain (the exact steps depend on the tool).

A quick test that helps: switch from Wi‑Fi to cellular (or the other way around) and try again.

3. Check Date & Time (a surprisingly common cause)

Login tokens rely on correct time. If your iPhone clock is off, the app may treat the token as “not valid yet” or “already expired,” which looks like an instant logout.

  • Settings > General > Date & Time
  • Turn on Set Automatically

If it was already on, toggle it off and back on, then try again.

4. Clear the app’s web sign-in data (Safari website data)

Cookie and storage box being wiped to clear site data
Many apps sign you in through a web view that shares cookies/site data with Safari. Corrupt cookies can cause a login loop where the app can’t “keep” the session.

  • Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data

Note: this can sign you out of websites in Safari. If you want to be more selective, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data and remove entries related to the service (when it’s obvious).

5. Update the app and iOS, then reinstall if needed

Session bugs are often fixed by app updates (and sometimes iOS updates). If the app’s local storage is corrupted, a reinstall is the cleanest reset.

  • Update the app from the App Store.
  • Settings > General > Software Update (install any available update).
  • If it still fails: delete the app, restart the iPhone, reinstall, and sign in again.

Tip: if the app stores data only locally, check whether it has an export/backup option before deleting.

6. Rule out an account-side lock or security reset

If the app signs in but won’t “stick,” it can also be the account getting immediately invalidated by security rules (password change, sign-in from a new region, too many sessions, etc.).

  • Try logging in on another device (or on the service’s website) to see if the account stays signed in.
  • Look for security emails/alerts about a blocked sign-in.
  • If there’s an option like Sign out of all devices, use it, then sign in fresh on your iPhone.

If web login also won’t persist, the issue is likely account-side and you’ll want to reset your password and review recent sign-ins.

Final thoughts

On iOS, “login kicks me back out” is usually caused by network filtering (VPN/Private Relay/ad blocking), incorrect time, or bad web cookie data shared with the app.

If you tell yourself “it only happens on Wi‑Fi” (or only on cellular), start with the network-related step first—you’ll usually solve it faster.