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Troubleshooting · 5 min read

How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo During Update

By iPhone Update Editorial Desk · Reviewed September 19, 2026 ·5 min read
DIRECT ANSWER

An iPhone stuck on the Apple logo during an update is usually caused by insufficient storage, interrupted downloads, or corrupted firmware. In most cases, a force restart resolves the issue. If not, Recovery Mode can reinstall iOS without erasing your data.

1. Wait 30 Minutes First

Before taking any action, wait at least 30 minutes. Large iOS updates can cause the Apple logo to appear stuck while the phone is actually performing filesystem restructuring in the background. If the screen is dimly lit with a progress bar underneath the Apple logo, the update is still processing.

2. Force Restart Your iPhone

If the Apple logo has been stuck for more than 30 minutes with no progress bar movement:
iPhone ModelForce Restart Sequence
iPhone 8, X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, SE (2nd/3rd)Press & release Volume Up, press & release Volume Down, then hold Side button for 10+ seconds until the Apple logo reappears.
iPhone 7 / 7 PlusHold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake simultaneously for 10+ seconds.
iPhone 6s / SE (1st) and earlierHold Home + Sleep/Wake simultaneously for 10+ seconds.

After force restart, your iPhone should boot normally. It may resume the update process or return to your previous iOS version.

3. Recovery Mode (Reinstall iOS — Keeps Data)

If force restart doesn't work, use Recovery Mode:
  1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable.
  2. Open Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices/iTunes (Windows).
  3. Perform the force restart sequence (above), but keep holding the Side button through the Apple logo until the Recovery Mode screen appears (a cable pointing to a computer icon).
  4. Your computer will detect the iPhone in Recovery Mode and offer two options:
  5. Click "Update" (NOT "Restore") — this reinstalls iOS while preserving your personal data.
  6. Wait for the process to complete (may take 15–30 minutes).

4. DFU Mode (Last Resort — Erases Data)

If Recovery Mode fails, DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode bypasses the bootloader entirely:
  1. Connect to a computer. Open Finder or Apple Devices/iTunes.
  2. iPhone 8 and later: Press & release Volume Up, press & release Volume Down, then hold Side button for 10 seconds. While still holding Side, press and hold Volume Down for 5 seconds. Release Side button but keep holding Volume Down for 10 more seconds.
  3. If successful, the iPhone screen stays completely black (no Apple logo) while your computer detects a device in DFU mode.
  4. Click Restore. This will erase all data and install a clean copy of iOS.

Warning: DFU Mode erases everything. Only use this after Recovery Mode fails.

Do not do these

  • Do NOT disconnect your iPhone from the computer during Recovery Mode or DFU Mode restoration.
  • Using a third-party USB hub can cause connection drops during firmware flashing. Connect directly to your computer.
  • If you see Error 4013 or 4014, try a different USB cable — these errors are almost always caused by faulty cable connections.

Questions this page actually answers

Will I lose my data if I use Recovery Mode?

No. Choosing "Update" in Recovery Mode reinstalls iOS while keeping your photos, messages, and apps. Only "Restore" erases data.

How do I know if my iPhone is really stuck vs still updating?

If the Apple logo appears with a progress bar underneath and the bar has moved (even slightly) within 30 minutes, the update is still progressing. Only intervene if there is zero progress for 30+ minutes.

My iPhone went into a boot loop after updating. What should I do?

A boot loop (repeatedly showing the Apple logo then going black) requires Recovery Mode. Connect to a computer and select "Update" to reinstall iOS without data loss.

Next useful pages

Sources

Prepared by the iPhone Update Editorial Desk. Independent technical reference. Not affiliated with Apple Inc.