New iPhone Stuck on Software Update? Easy Ways to Fix It

Apple releases an iOS software update every year when a new iPhone is launched. iPhone users can upgrade their device’s software to the new version to enjoy new features and security patches.

However, some iPhone users experience the iPhone stuck on updating software problem when the iPhone freezes and doesn’t complete the software update. This can be very frustrating because your iPhone will become unresponsive when it gets stuck while updating software.

So, why does an iPhone freeze up during a software update and how can you fix an iPhone stuck on updating software? This guide reveals the answers to these questions including pro tips to prevent your iPhone from getting stuck on software updates.

Relevant reading: It's possible that your iPhone is stuck on Install Now when you try to update your software. It's a different situation. Check out the other guide for quick solutions.

Why Is My New iPhone Stuck on Software Update?

Here are possible reasons your iPhone is stuck on software update:

1. Poor Network Connection

   iOS software update occurs online through a secure and stable Wi-Fi connection. If you are experiencing a poor network connection or Wi-Fi is slow, your iPhone may get stuck during the iOS software update.

2. Inadequate Storage on the iPhone

   iOS software updates often have a large file size. For instance, the new iOS 17 is over 4GB in size, so if you don’t have enough free storage space on your iPhone, your device can freeze up during the software update.

3. iOS Version is not Compatible with the iPhone

   Many people don’t know this but newly released iOS updates aren’t always compatible with all iPhones. For instance, the iOS 17 isn’t compatible with iPhone 6, 7, and 8 series. So, if you are trying to install iOS 17 on an iPhone 7 Plus, your device may freeze while updating iOS due to incompatibility issues.

4. iPhone Battery is Low

   Apple advises users to keep their iPhones plugged in when performing an iOS software update because the process takes a while to complete. If your device battery is low, you may see your iPhone freeze up on verifying iOS update.

Now that we know why your iPhone gets stuck on updating software, let’s find out how to fix the problem.

8 Quick Ways to Fix iPhone Stuck on Software Update Issue

Is your new iPhone stuck on updating software? Here are 8 quick and easy methods to fix an iPhone stuck on software update:

Get iPhone Out of Software Update Without Data Loss

Would you like to fix your iPhone stuck on software update without erasing your iPhone settings and important data? Then try Wondershare Dr.Fone – System Repair.

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Are you ready to get your iPhone unstuck on the software update screen without data loss? Then download and install Wondershare Dr.Fone on your PC and follow the steps below:

• Launch Dr.Fone on your computer and connect your iPhone to the PC via a USB/Lightning cable.
• Click Toolbox and select System Repair on the Dr.Fone main interface.

• Next, click your phone type. Here, you should select iPhone. Then choose iOS repair.

• Dr.Fone will present a list of possible iOS system problems. Click the iPhone Stuck on Updating Software Problem and select Repair Now at the bottom of the screen.

• Dr.Fone will ask if you want a Standard Repair or Advanced Repair. Select Standard Repair Mode to fix your iPhone without erasing any data.

• Next, you’ll have to put your iPhone in Recovery Mode. Click the Enter Recovery Mode option at the bottom of the screen. When you do this, Dr.Fone will automatically identify the device in Recovery Mode.

• You’ll see a list of available firmware updates for your device. Choose the most recent update and click Download.

• Once the firmware download is complete, Dr.Fone will repair your iPhone. Wait till Dr.Fone notifies you that your iPhone has been repaired. Then unplug your iPhone from the computer and try updating your iOS again.

Charge Your iPhone

Another fix to try out when your iPhone is stuck on updating software is to charge the device. When your device is fully charged or plugged in while updating the iOS software, you have an increased chance of completing the iOS update successfully.

Force Restart/Reboot Your iPhone

Another way to fix an iPhone stuck on updating software is to Force Restart the iPhone. A force restart is a troubleshooting method that reboots your iPhone’s operating system and running apps, giving them a fresh restart. If your iPhone is stuck on updating software due to a software issue or bug, a forced restart can fix the problem.

Here is how to force restart your iPhone to resolve the iPhone stuck on updating software problem:

For iPhone 6 or earlier models,

• Hold the Home button and Sleep/Wake buttons together for about 10 seconds until you see the white Apple logo displayed on the screen. Then release the buttons and let your iPhone restart normally.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus,

• Hold down the Sleep/Wake (or Power) button and the Volume Down button together for about 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo displayed on the screen. Then let your iPhone boot normally.

For iPhone 8 and newer models,

• Press and release the Volume Up button. After, quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Then hold the Power (Sleep/Wake) button until the Apple logo is displayed on the screen.

Once your iPhone boots up, try updating the iPhone iOS again to see if the problem is fixed.

Restart the Software Update Process

Another quick fix to resolve an iPhone stuck in updating software is to restart the software update process. Your iPhone could have run into a problem that caused it to freeze on the software update screen. So, restarting the process can fix the problem.

Here’s how to restart an iPhone software update:

• Turn off and restart your iPhone by holding the Power and Volume Down buttons.
• Go to Settings, click on General, and select Software Update.

• When you see an available software update for your iPhone, click Download and Install at the bottom of your screen to restart the software update process.

Connect to a Stronger Wi-Fi

As explained earlier, your iPhone needs a strong and stable Wi-Fi network to update the device's iOS. So, if your iPhone keeps freezing on software updates, you should connect to a stronger Wi-Fi or move your iPhone closer to the iPhone router.

If that doesn’t fix the problem, you can try updating the iPhone software over Mobile data. While a Wi-Fi network is preferred to update device iOS, mobile data can suffice if it’s strong enough.

Skip and Install iOS Update Later

If your iPhone still gets stuck while updating iOS, a quick trick to fix the problem temporarily is to skip and perform the software update later. Don’t worry though - You can update iPhone software anytime you want later via Settings as long as there is an available update version.

If you are just setting up or restoring your iPhone here is how to skip an iOS software update till later:

• Turn off and restart your iPhone.
• Follow the on-screen set-up prompts and skip the Software Update screen. Don’t click Download or Install Now.
• Finish setting up the device.
• You can update the device software later via Settings > General> Software Update.

Free Up Space on Your iPhone/iPad

Do you have enough storage on your iPhone for an iOS update?

You can check the file size of the software you want to install via the Software Update screen. Check under the Software Version ID.

If you don’t have enough space, you have to free up storage on your iPhone by deleting duplicate files. You can also uninstall unnecessary apps that are taking up space on your iPhone. Here’s how:

• Open your iPhone and go to Settings. Click on General, then iPhone Storage.
• You’ll see a list of the apps and files on your iPhone that occupy the most storage space. You’ll also see a progress bar at the top of the page showing you how much free space you have.

• Browse through the list of files and delete stuff that you don’t need to free storage space.

When you have enough storage, try updating the software again and see if it works this time.

Update iPhone Software Through Your PC

Okay, maybe the problem can’t be fixed on your iPhone but we can always use your computer. Did you know that you can update iPhone software via your Windows PC or Mac computer? Yes, you can update your iPhone software to the latest version using iTunes on your computer.

Here’s how:

• Launch the latest version of iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC and connect your iPhone to the computer using a lightining/USB cable.
• Click the Phone Icon near the top left of the iTunes window.
• Find the Summary Tab on the left of the screen and click Check for Updates.

• You should see a list of available software update for your iPhone. click Download and Update to upgrade your iPhone software.

Back Up Important iPhone Data to Your PC via MobileTrans

When trying to fix a software update problem on your iPhone, many of the possible fixes you would try can result in temporary or permanent loss of data, especially if not done correctly.

To prevent losing your vital files and app data, it’s important to back up your iPhone to your Computer and the best iPhone-PC file transfer and backup tool is Wondershare MobileTrans – Backup & Restore.

MobileTrans is the best iPhone backup tool that allows you to store important data and settings on your PC without a Wi-Fi or network connection. MobileTrans backup occurs via USB transfer which means your files can’t be hacked or stolen online.

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Are you ready to back up your iPhone data to your PC? Then download MobileTrans on your computer and follow these steps:

• Open MobileTrans and connect your iPhone to the PC via a USB cable.
• Select Backup & Restore from the MobileTrans home dashboard and select Phone Backup & Restore.

• Pick the files you want to back up from your iPhone to your PC and click Start at the bottom of the screen.

• Wait till MobileTrans notifies you that the file backup is complete. Then unplug your iPhone and set your custom password.

You can also restore your data to any device from your PC whenever you want using MobileTrans. Just select Phone Restore from the MobileTrans dashboard and follow the on-screen instructions.

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Final Words

In summary, having your iPhone freeze whenever you try to update the device software is a very disturbing problem. It tells you that there is a deeper issue with the device that’s not allowing the iPhone to update its software properly. So, you have to fix it before it immediately.

You can fix the problem by updating the iOS properly, performing a force restart, freeing storage space, or restoring the device via iTunes. If all of these fixes don’t work, then you can try updating the device software using your computer.