iPhones are undoubtedly among the most user-friendly and reliable smartphones on the market. However, like any other electronic device, they are not immune to occasional glitches and issues. One such problem that iPhone users may encounter is the dreaded "black screen with spinning wheel" issue.

This frustrating situation can occur when your iPhone freezes, displaying a black screen with a spinning wheel or loading indicator that never stops spinning. When this happens, your iPhone becomes unresponsive, and you're unable to access any of its functions or data.

Encountering the iPhone black screen spinning wheel can be a highly frustrating experience, especially if you're in the middle of an important task or need to access crucial information stored on your device. The good news is that there are several proven methods to resolve this issue and get your iPhone back up and running smoothly.

In this article, we'll look at why your iPhone might be showing the spinning wheel and provide you with easy steps to fix it.

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Recommended reading: If your iPhone is experiencing a software glitch or storage shortage, then it's also possible for it to get stuck on the loading screen. Click to learn about how to resolve the issue.
In this article
    1. Fix 1: Use Dr.Fone - iOS System Repair Tool
    2. Fix 2: Charge your iPhone
    3. Fix 3: Force Restart iPhone
    4. Fix 4: Restore iPhone via iTunes
    5. Fix 5: Put iPhone in Recovery Mode

What Triggers the iPhone Wheel Spinning Issue?

Before we start fixing it, it's important to know why your iPhone might be showing a black screen with a spinning wheel. There could be a few reasons for this issue, like software glitches or hardware problems. Let’s have a quick glimpse of potential reasons:

  • Software Glitches: Sometimes, a software bug or compatibility issue with a newly installed app or iOS update can lead to the iPhone wheel spinning situation.
  • Hardware Issues: In some cases, hardware problems, such as a faulty battery or a damaged display connector, can cause your iPhone to freeze and display the spinning wheel.
  • Memory Issues: If your iPhone's memory is full or if there are too many apps running in the background, it can cause performance issues and lead to the black screen spinning wheel iPhone problem.
  • Corrupt Data: If there's corrupt data stored on your iPhone, it might cause the spinning wheel problem, making your phone act up.

Knowing what's causing it will help you find the best way to solve it for your phone. Now, let’s proceed to solutions.

How to Fix the iPhone Black Screen Spinning Wheel Issue?

Now that we've talked about what might be causing it, let's look at how to solve the problem of the spinning wheel on the iPhone screen. Here are five fast and efficient ways to fix it:

Fix 1: Use Dr.Fone - iOS System Repair Tool

If you're looking for a reliable and efficient solution to fix the iPhone black screen spinning wheel issue, consider using Dr.Fone - iOS System Repair Tool. This powerful software is designed to repair various iOS system issues, including the spinning wheel problem, without causing any data loss.

Here's how to fix the iPhone spinning wheel black screen issue by using Dr.Fone’s system repair feature:

Step 1 Open Dr.Fone on your computer. Plug your iPhone into your computer using a USB-Lightning cable. Choose "Standard Repair" from the main menu.

dr fone ios system repair

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode or DFU Mode. Once your iPhone is detected by Dr.Fone, the firmware download process will begin.

dr fone firmware download

Step 3: Dr.Fone will automatically download the necessary firmware and repair your iPhone's system. After the repair process is complete, your iPhone should restart, and the spinning wheel issue should be resolved.

dr fone repair process completed

Wondershare Dr.Fone is a secure and effective solution for fixing the iPhone spinning wheel black screen issue without losing any data. Its easy-to-use interface and clear instructions make it great for both new and experienced iPhone users.

Fix 2: Charge your iPhone

Sometimes, the iPhone black screen spinning wheel issue can be caused by a drained battery. If your iPhone's battery is completely depleted, it may not have enough power to boot up properly, leading to the spinning wheel issue.

To resolve this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a power source using the official Apple charger and a Lightning cable. Allow your iPhone to charge for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

charge iphone

Step 2: Once your iPhone has charged sufficiently, try turning it on by pressing and holding the Power button.

If the spinning wheel problem continues even after charging your iPhone, you might want to attempt one of the alternative solutions mentioned in this article.

Fix 3: Force Restart iPhone

A force restart can fix small problems and minor glitches with your iPhone, like the spinning wheel issue on a black screen. Here's how to do it:

For iPhone 8 and later models:

force restart iphone

Step 1: Press and quickly let go of the Volume Up button. Now, similarly press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Step 2: Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Step 1: Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button simultaneously.

Step 2: Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

After the force restart, your iPhone should boot up normally, and the spinning wheel issue should be resolved.

Fix 4: Restore iPhone via iTunes

If the previous solutions haven't worked, you may need to restore your iPhone using iTunes. This process will erase all data and settings from your iPhone and reinstall the latest iOS version.

Here's how to restore your iPhone via iTunes:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes. If prompted, trust your computer on your iPhone. In iTunes, click on the iPhone icon in the top-left corner.

Step 2: Click on the "Restore” option in the Summary tab.

restore iphone via itunes

Step 3: Click "Restore" again to confirm your choice. iTunes will download the necessary software and restore your iPhone.

After the restore process is complete, your iPhone should be back to its factory settings, and the spinning wheel issue should be resolved. However, keep in mind that this process will erase all data from your iPhone, so it's essential to back up your data before proceeding.

Fix 5: Put iPhone in Recovery Mode

If the restore process via iTunes fails to fix the iPhone black screen spinning wheel issue, you may need to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode. This mode allows you to reinstall the iOS software on your device, potentially resolving any software-related issues.

Here's how to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode:

iphone recovery mode

For iPhone 8 and later models:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button simultaneously. Release both buttons when the Recovery Mode screen appears.

For iPhone 6s and earlier models:

Press and hold the Home button and the Side (or Top) button simultaneously. Release both buttons when the Recovery Mode screen appears.

Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, you can use iTunes to reinstall the iOS software and potentially fix the spinning wheel issue.

Back Up your iPhone Data to PC for Protection: Wondershare MobileTrans

Before attempting any of the above solutions, it's crucial to back up your iPhone data to prevent data loss. One reliable and user-friendly tool for backing up your iPhone data is MobileTrans.

Wondershare MobileTrans - Backup & Restore is a comprehensive data transfer and backup solution that allows you to easily back up your iPhone data, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, and more, to your computer or other devices.

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Here's how to use MobileTrans to back up your iPhone data:

Step 1: Download and install MobileTrans on your computer. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a Lightning cable. Launch MobileTrans and switch to the "Backup & Restore" tab. Now, select the “Backup” button placed in the “Phone Transfer & Backup” section.

wondershare mobiletrans backup and restore

Step 2: Choose the types of data you want to back up, such as contacts, messages, photos, or call logs. Select a destination on your computer for the backup file.

choose data type in mobiletrans

Step 3: Click “Start” to begin the backup process.

transfer process completed

Wondershare MobileTrans ensures a seamless and secure backup process, allowing you to restore your data if needed after resolving the iPhone black screen spinning wheel issue.

Tips to Avoid iPhone Spinning Wheel Issue

While the solutions mentioned above can help you fix the iPhone black screen spinning wheel issue, it's always better to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. Here are some tips to help you avoid the spinning wheel issue:

  • Keep your iPhone updated: Regularly update your iPhone to the latest iOS version. Apple often releases software updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements, which can help prevent issues like the spinning wheel.
  • Manage your storage: Ensure that your iPhone has enough free storage space. Low storage can cause performance issues and lead to the spinning wheel problem.
  • Close background apps: Regularly close apps running in the background to free up memory and prevent overload, which can cause the spinning wheel issue.
  • Restart your iPhone regularly: Perform a regular restart of your iPhone to clear the device's memory and prevent potential software glitches.
  • Avoid unofficial apps and jailbreaking: Stick to official apps from the App Store and avoid jailbreaking your iPhone, as these practices can introduce security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues, leading to the spinning wheel problem.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering the iPhone black screen spinning wheel issue and keep your iPhone running smoothly.

Conclusion

Dealing with the spinning wheel problem on your iPhone can be super frustrating, but don't worry, there are ways to fix it. This guide has got you covered! Whether you're facing the issue of the iPhone freezing on the spinning wheel, getting stuck on it, or just showing a black screen with the spinning wheel, there's hope.

First things first, if you're seeing that spinning wheel of doom, don't freak out. Start off with the simple fixes like charging your iPhone or giving it a force restart. If those tricks don't do the job, don't sweat it, there are more advanced solutions you can try. You could give Dr.Fone a shot or try restoring your iPhone using iTunes. Oh, and make sure you back up all your important stuff with MobileTrans before you dive into any major fixes.

Just stay calm, be patient, and follow the steps outlined here. Before you know it, your iPhone will be back to its old self, running smoothly and giving you that seamless user experience you love.

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FAQ

  • Q1: What should I do if my iPhone is stuck on the spinning wheel after an iOS update?
    If your iPhone is stuck on the spinning wheel after an iOS update, try forcing a restart first. If that doesn't work, you can use Dr.Fone or iTunes to restore your iPhone and reinstall the iOS software.
  • Q2: Can the spinning wheel issue be caused by a hardware problem?
    Yes, in some cases, hardware issues like a faulty battery or a damaged display connector can cause the spinning wheel problem. If software solutions don't work, it's best to take your iPhone to an authorized Apple service provider for further diagnosis and repair.
  • Q3: Can I prevent the iPhone black screen spinning wheel issue from happening again?
    While there's no guaranteed way to prevent the spinning wheel issue from occurring, you can minimize the chances by keeping your iPhone updated, managing your storage, closing background apps, restarting regularly, and avoiding unofficial apps and jailbreaking.
Navkiran Dhaliwal
Navkiran Dhaliwal Apr 03, 24
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