How to Fix Quick Start Stuck on Getting Things Ready
Quick Start stuck on Getting Things Ready usually points to a failed transfer handshake between two iPhones. The most common causes are weak Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth, low battery, outdated iOS, or a setup glitch. Restarting both devices, checking network settings, and retrying the transfer usually fixes the phone transfer stuck screen.
🤔Note:
When Getting Things Ready stays on screen, the transfer process is often stalled by a connection or setup issue rather than a hardware failure.
Steps to fix Quick Start stuck on Getting Things Ready
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Restart both iPhones. Power off both devices, wait 30 seconds, then turn them back on. A fresh restart clears temporary setup errors.
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Check iOS version and battery. Install the latest iOS update on both phones if setup allows it. Charge both iPhones above 50 percent before retrying Quick Start.
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Reset the connection conditions. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi on both devices. Disable Personal Hotspot, VPN, and Low Power Mode, then move both iPhones close together.
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Try Quick Start again from the beginning. If the screen remains stuck, erase the partially set up new iPhone and restart the transfer process. A partial setup often blocks the migration flow.
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Use a fallback transfer method. If Quick Start still fails, restore from an iCloud backup or use a computer-based transfer method. Persistent failures often indicate a setup issue rather than a hardware problem.
Common issues and fixes
- Stuck at “Getting Things Ready” for a long time: Network negotiation may have failed; restart both iPhones and retry on a stable Wi‑Fi network.
- Quick Start starts but never finishes: Incomplete iOS updates can block migration; update both devices before another attempt.
- Transfer stops after Face ID or passcode: The new iPhone may already contain partial setup data; erase the device and start over.
- Old iPhone cannot detect the new iPhone: Bluetooth may be off or interference may be present; keep both phones close and turn Bluetooth on.
- iPhone not letting transfer to a new iPhone: Apple ID, network, or storage limits can interfere; sign in with the correct Apple ID and free space if needed.
Quick tips
- Keep both phones plugged into power during the transfer.
- Remove physical cases only if overheating becomes noticeable.
- Avoid crowded Wi‑Fi environments during setup.
- If an eSIM transfer is involved, carrier approval may delay the process.
Related questions
Why is my iPhone not letting me transfer to a new iPhone?
The most common reasons are iOS version mismatch, unstable Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth problems, or a partially completed setup on the new device. Erasing the new iPhone and repeating the transfer often resolves the problem.
How long should Getting Things Ready take?
A normal Quick Start transfer may take several minutes, and larger data moves can take longer. If the screen stays unchanged for an extended period with no progress, a connection failure is likely.
💡Protip:
When Quick Start keeps failing, a dedicated phone transfer tool can be a practical fallback for copying data between devices without depending on the iPhone setup screen.
