Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan Now×
Skip to content
Cupertino desk3 min

How to Fix an iPhone Stuck on the iOS Update Screen

A slow or static-looking bar may still be working. Check its status, force-restart only when needed, and use recovery mode with Update before Restore.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If your iPhone’s update screen looks frozen, first check whether its progress bar is moving or the update message is still displayed. A bar can move slowly, appear static, and even start again; don’t interrupt an update just because it seems paused. If the phone is unresponsive, try the force-restart sequence for your model. For Apple’s specific restore-or-migration case, move to computer-based recovery only after the progress bar has not moved for at least one hour. In recovery mode, choose Update before considering Restore, which erases the iPhone.

Check whether the iPhone is still updating

Watch the progress bar and read any message on the screen. Apple says the time varies with the number of files on the device and the operation being performed. A bar that appears stationary is not, by itself, proof that the update has failed; it may also start over after reaching the end. If an “updating” message remains on screen, leave the process alone.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

For an over-the-air update, keep the iPhone connected to power and give it time to finish. If you are restoring or migrating an iPhone running iOS 13 or later and its Apple-logo progress bar has not moved for at least one hour, Apple’s stuck-logo guidance says to proceed to computer-based recovery. That one-hour threshold applies to that restore-or-migration situation, not every iOS update.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If the iPhone appears on your computer and sync options are available, Apple says the update or restore process is complete. Keep it connected while migration finishes.

#1 Best Overall
iPhone Charger, Lightning Cable 3PACK 6FT MFi Certified USB Charging Cord | Nylon Braided High Speed Transfer Cable Compatible with iPhone 14 Pro Max/13 Pro/12/11/XS MAX/XR/XS/X/8/iPad Pro Mini Air
  • STRONG MATERIAL: iPhone cable With 8000+times bend lifespan and integrated molding process, the nylon braided jacket is super smooth and comfortable, more strong than standard iPhone charger cord.
  • PERFECT LENGTHS: Perfect 6feet extra long iphone charger cable free up your charging time, no more being stuck to wall socket, ideal for using at home, in car and office.
  • QUALITY COPPER WIRE: Connects to your iPhone, iPad with Connector charges/syncs by connecting the USB connector into wall charger or computer. Enjoy charge times up faster than than most standard cables.
  • 2 N 1 FUNCTION: Great performance ensures your devices syncs and charge simultaneously with up to 480 mb/s . It syncs photos, music, videos, files with the ability to charge the device. also delivers up to 2.1A current to maximize the charging efficiency performance.
  • UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: Work with iPhone 14,13,12,11,11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, XS Max, XS, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6S Plus, 6S, 6 Plus, 6, 5S, 5C, 5, iPad Pro, iPad Air, Air 2, iPad mini, mini 2, mini 4, iPad 4th gen ,iPod Touch 5th gen, iPod nano 7th gen and Beats Pill+

Force-restart an unresponsive iPhone

Use a force restart if the iPhone is unresponsive or the process has not completed—not simply because the progress bar looks slow. The button sequence depends on the model. Follow Apple’s restart instructions:

  • iPhone 8 or later: Quickly press and release Volume Up, then quickly press and release Volume Down. Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Hold the Side button and Volume Down together until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold the Home button and the Side or Top button together until the Apple logo appears.

If the phone restarts and resumes the update, let it continue. If it remains stuck in a situation Apple identifies for recovery mode, use the computer procedure below.

Rank #2
Anker USB C to USB C Cable, 60W Fast Charging Cable (2-Pack, 6 ft, Black) | For iPhone 18 / 17 Series, iPad mini 6, and More
  • Durable Design: Reinforced nylon exterior and a robust core ensure this cable withstands up to 5,000 bends, outlasting other brands
  • Fast Charging: Supports Power Delivery for up to 60W high-speed charging when paired with a USB-C charger
  • Versatile Compatibility: Works with virtually all USB-C devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops
  • High-Speed Data Transfer: Transfer files quickly with 480Mbps data transfer speeds
  • Included Accessories: Comes with a hook-and-loop cable tie for easy organization and a welcome guide for hassle-free setup

Use recovery mode and choose Update first

Apple’s recovery guidance covers several situations beyond a stalled progress bar: an Apple logo that stays on screen for several minutes without a progress bar, a “Connect to computer” screen, a computer that does not recognize the iPhone or reports that it is in recovery mode, or repeated unsuccessful startup attempts with Recovery Assistant. See Apple’s recovery-mode instructions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

You’ll need a computer and a compatible USB cable. Connect the iPhone to the computer, then open the appropriate app:

Rank #3
Sale
iPhone Charger,4Pack Original MFi Certified Lightning Cable Fast Charging | Apple MFi Certified High Speed Transfer Cable Compatible with iPhone 14 Pro Max/13 Pro/12/11/XS MAX/XR/XS/X/8/iPad Mini Air
  • Apple MFi Cerfitied Charger: Our apple charger cable compatible with iPhone 14/13/12/11/Pro/Max/Mini/iPhone XS/iPhone Max/iPhone XR/iPhone X/iPhone 8 Plus/iPhone 8/iPhone 7 Plus/iPhone 7/iPhone 6s Plus/iPhone 6s/iPhone 6 Plus/iPhone 6/iPhone 5s/iPhone 5c/iPhone 5/iPad Pro/iPad Air/Air 2/iPad mini/mini 2/mini 4/iPad 4th gen/iPod Touch 5th gen/ iPod.
  • Apple chargers perfect comptibility : The Apple MFi Certified Chip Ensures That The Cable Can output Safe and effective current for the device. The iPhone charging cable is composed of high-quality copper wires, which can accept 2.4A current for fast charging and 480 Mbps/s fast data transmission.
  • Reinforced Durable: Exquisite workmanship ensures 5V/2.4A(max) output.Ensures high speed charging and be tested to bend 90-degree more than 5000 times.
  • Fast charging Lightning Cable: Full support with iOS versions and all future updates,Gold-plated C48 terminal and tinned copper material ensures charging performance increased by 30%,High coverage aluminum foil makes data transmission is not disturbed by external signals.
  • What you get:4-Pack 3.3ft Original [Apple MFi Certified] iPhone charger cables for different occasions.Replace your phone accessories cords or add another for home, work or travel.
  • Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later: Open Finder.
  • Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier: Open iTunes.
  • PC: Open the latest Apple Devices app or iTunes.

Enter recovery mode using the button sequence for your iPhone model, following Apple’s recovery-mode instructions. When the computer offers the choice, select Update first. This attempts to reinstall iOS without choosing the erase option. Keep the iPhone connected while the computer completes the process.

Understand Restore before selecting it

Restore erases the iPhone. Apple states: “If you choose Restore, it will erase your iPhone.” Try Update first when it is offered; do not treat Restore as a harmless next step. If you choose Restore, data on the device is erased, so consider whether you have a backup before proceeding.

Rank #4
iPhone Charger Fast Charging, USB C Charger Block, 6FT/10FT Lightning Cable
  • 【Compatibility】This product is not compatible with all iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models., Works With foriPhone 14,iPhone 14 Pro,iPhone 14 Pro Max,iPhone 14 Plus,iPhone 13,iPhone13 Pro,iPhone13 Pro Max,iPhone13 mini,iPhone 12 Pro Max,iPhone 12 Pro,iPhone 12,iPhone 12 mini,iPhone 11 Pro Max,iPhone 11 Pro,iPhone 11,iphone x,iphone xr
  • 【MFi Certified Cable】Each cable contains a unique, verified serial number and an authorization chip issued by iphone to ensure 100% compatibility with any Lightning device.USB C to Lightning Cord fully supports the iOS version and all future updates.Please note that this charger does not work with iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models.
  • 【3X Fast Charging】The 12W 5V 3A USB-C port PD fast adapter wall charger and 6FT&10FT usb c to lightning fast charging cords,That is,it will charge your iPhone up to 50% power in just 30 minutes,and only takes 1.8 hours to charge your iPhone fully to save 1.5hrs more time for you!
  • 【Superior Safety Fast Charging】FEEL2NICE lightning charger has multipotent safety system ensures complete protection for your lightning devices. The ETL certified wall charger built-in over-voltage protection, features a stable voltage. the lightning cable built-in smart chip to match the current required by devices automatically.
  • 【What You Get 】2 pack of USB-C iPhone charger and 2 pack of 6FT&10FT USB-C to Lightning charging cable are packed in a box,1 year worry-free refund and replacement guarantee. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us! We promise to solve your problems within 24 Hours!

A USB cable enables the computer connection; it does not repair iOS by itself. Use a compatible cable, and if the computer reports a connection error, Apple recommends trying the supplied cable or another Apple-certified cable. The right connector depends on the iPhone and computer, so confirm compatibility before connecting.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

When to contact Apple or a service provider

Contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if recovery mode cannot update or restore the iPhone, a button needed for the process is broken or stuck, or the progress bar still does not complete. The screen alone cannot establish the cause of a persistent failure, so avoid repeating steps that depend on a faulty button and seek service instead.

Best Value
Apple MFi Certified 6Pack 3/3/6/6/6/10 FT iPhone Charger Lightning Cable | Nylon Braided Fast Charging Cable Compatible iPhone 14 Pro 13 mini 12 11 Pro MAX XR XS 8 7 Plus 6S SE, iPad
  • Durability: iPhone Charger Cable covered with braided nylon sheath. The polished aluminum alloy case not only fits your iPhone, but also prevents physical compression
  • Portable: Lightweight and without tangled cables. You can take it with you wherever you want. Our cable is the optimal choice for charging your iPhone
  • Fast Charging and Data Transfer: Highly pure and thicker copper wires ensure faster and more stable charging, which has a positive effect on the battery life of the mobile iPhone
  • Case Compatible Design: Fits to your charging port, no need to remove the iPhone case, solve tedious troubles, and charge when you want to charge all the time
  • Multiple Length Options: Package includes 6 cables in various lengths of 3, 3, 6, 6, 6, and 10 feet, providing flexibility for home, office, car, and travel use

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.