How to Fix an iPhone Stuck on Software Update
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Tested on
- iOS 18.4 - iPhone 15 Pro
- You will need
- Lightning or USB-C cable, Mac or PC with iTunes/Finder, stable internet connection
Step by step
Perform a forced restart
Press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button in quick succession. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the display. Release the button only when the logo is visible.
Note: This clears the memory without deleting your personal data.Connect the device to a computer
Use a verified USB cable to connect your iPhone to a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, or a PC running iTunes. If using a Mac, open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar under Locations.
Enter Recovery Mode
With the iPhone connected, quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down. Press and hold the Side button; do not release it when the Apple logo appears. Continue holding until the recovery screen showing a cable pointing to a computer icon appears.
Update or restore software
On your computer, a prompt will appear offering to Update or Restore. Click Update to attempt to reinstall iOS without removing your data. If the update fails, you must select Restore, which will erase the device.
Note: Always attempt an update before a restore to preserve local data.Complete the installation
Keep the device connected during the process. The computer will download the software and reinstall the OS. Your iPhone will reboot once the process reaches 100 percent.
Note: Ensure your computer does not enter sleep mode during the download.