Software updates are generally intended to deliver good outputs but there are many factors that can make the opposite outcomes. Even so, keeping your device software up to date is still highly recommended. Software updates usually offer new features and bug fixes to maintain optimum performance of your device. Some updates are also aimed at augmenting your device security. The latest security update Apple has released for iPhones and iPads is iOS 13.3. This iOS update was officially rolled out on the 10th of this month. Contained in this new update are a few significant fixes particularly for multitasking bug. It also offers a few system changes and enhancements such as communication limits for screen time app, enhancements to memoji/animoji stickers, Apple watch app and Safari browser app to name some. Apparently, the new iOS update comes as a fix but then again there are certain factors that trigger the occurrence of various types of post-update issues. If you’re one of the first people to get this update and ended up with an iPhone stuck on Apple logo, then this post might be able to help you. Read on for more information.
Why does your iPhone get stuck after an iOS update?
The problem on an iPhone stuck on Apple logo after an iOS update isn’t new. In fact, it has been one of the common post-update problems faced by many Apple device owners from the prior updates. And as expected, it continues to emerge among the post-iOS update issues from the recent iOS releases.
Your iPhone can usually get stuck on Apple logo after an iOS update, iOS restore, and erratic data transfers. What usually happens is that something caused software corruption on your iPhone and thereby results system crashes. When this happens, your device could end up frozen or stuck not only on Apple logo but also on other screens.
The prohibited jailbreaking process can also cause an iPhone to end up being stuck on the Apple logo. The worst among the possible causes are hardware issues. While the problem might have instigated after installing a new update, it may be just a coincidence. This means that your iPhone might have already obtained the damage and the symptoms had just showed up after updating the system.
If you’re certain that your stuck iPhone is free from any sort of physical or liquid damage, then you’ll have a higher chance of having your device fixed at home. Otherwise, you should consider a trip to a service center.
Solutions to a problem on iPhone stuck on Apple logo after an iOS update
Troubleshooting even those that are deemed major problems is still recommended before rushing to a service center. Not only that you would save effort, it will also save you from paying a hefty service charge. To give you some inputs, I’ve mapped out a few applicable workarounds and potential solutions that you can use to rule out software-related factors that made your iPhone stuck on the Apple logo after installing the latest update to iOS.
First solution: Force restart your iPhone that’s stuck on white Apple logo after iOS update.
A force-restart is an alternative method to restart a frozen or unresponsive iPhone. It works similar to that of the normal reboot or soft reset when it comes to resolving random system issues on your iPhone. However, carrying out the process differ. Just refer to these subsequent steps.
On a stuck iPhone 6s and earlier models with a Home button:
- Hold down both the Home button and the Power button for a few seconds until the Apple logo appears.
- Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo.
- Wait while your iPhone completes its boot-up sequence and launches the Home screen.
On a stuck iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Simultaneously press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down key on your iPhone for a few seconds.
- Release both the buttons when the Apple logo appears.
On a stuck iPhone 8 and later models:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Then press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
Similar to a soft reset, a force restart does not affect any saved information on your iPhone storage, hence creating a backup isn’t necessary. Just be sure to execute the correct procedure and see if that would help get your iPhone out from being stuck on the Apple logo.
Second solution: Use iTunes to restore and repair your stuck iPhone after updating iOS.
If a force restart doesn’t solve the problem on your iPhone stuck on Apple logo, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with a major system issue. It’s possible that the recent update had inflicted complex system errors that ruined the normal start-up sequence. As a result, your iPhone couldn’t complete the boot-up process and stopped on the Apple logo. To clear out major system issues like this, restoring your iPhone in iTunes can be deemed the next potential solution. You can start with the standard iOS restore in iTunes on your iPhone. To get this done, you will need to secure a Windows or Mac computer with the latest version of iTunes app in it or Finder app if you have a Mac running on macOS Catalina. Just follow these steps whenever you’re all set:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer using the original Lightning cable or USB cable that came with it.
- Open iTunes on your computer, if it isn’t already.
- Then in the iTunes app, click the iPhone icon to select your iOS device.
- Click the Restore button then follow the rest of the onscreen commands to restore your iPhone in iTunes.
If the standard iOS restore doesn’t solve the problem and your iPhone remains stuck on the white Apple logo, you can proceed with a recovery mode restore. This will put your iPhone in a recovery state and allows iTunes to restore and repair damaged system components. Just refer to the following methods.
To get started, connect your iPhone to the computer then open iTunes. While your iPhone is connected, refer to the following steps to force restart and enter recovery mode.
On iPhone 8 or later models:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and hold the Power/Side button until the recovery mode screen or connect to iTunes screen appears.
On an iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Press and hold both the Power button and the Volume Down button until the recovery mode screen or connect to iTunes screen appears.
On an iPhone 6s, SE or earlier iPhones:
- Press and hold both the Power button and the Home button until the recovery mode screen or connect to iTunes screen appears.
Note: Do not release the Power button when you see the Apple logo because you’ll need to put your iPhone in recovery mode.
Once you’ve successfully entered recovery mode, you will be prompted with a message in iTunes saying that “There’s a problem with the [your device name] that requires it to be updated or restored.” If you see this message, click Update to reinstall iOS without deleting your personal data. Otherwise, click Restore to wipe all your iPhone data and restore from an iOS backup.
If this didn’t solve the problem on your iPhone stuck on Apple logo, you can consider the next method to deal with fatal iOS problems.
Third solution: Use DFU mode to repair and restore your iPhone stuck on Apple logo after the recent iOS update.
The last method you can try if a recovery mode restore failed to fix the problem would be DFU mode restore. DFU stands for Device Firmware Update. It’s the deepest type of system restore done when dealing with major system issues including problems on an iPhone stuck on Apple logo. This method was originally carried out by Apple technicians when doing major system repair at the genius bar. Later on, more and more device users have included it among the list of workarounds to try when dealing with major iOS problems including post update bugs. If you wish to try your luck in this restore, then you may proceed at your own discretion. Just refer to the steps below on your to enter DFU mode and restore your stuck iPhone in iTunes.
On an iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and below:
- Connect your device to the computer using the original lightning cable or USB cable.
- Press and hold down both the Home button and Power button for about 8 seconds.
- After 8 seconds, release the Power button but keep holding down the Home button.
If the screen turns completely black, it means your device is in DFU mode. By then you can release the Home button. After a few seconds, you should see an iTunes prompt saying that your device was detected in recovery mode. If you see that message, use the Restore command to instigate iOS repair and restore through iTunes.
On an iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Connect your device to the computer via USB cable or Lightning cable.
- Simultaneously press and hold down the Side/Power button and Volume Down button for about 8 seconds.
- After 8 seconds, let go of the Side/Power button but keep holding down the Volume Down button until the screen turns completely black.
If you see nothing displayed on the screen, your iPhone is in DFU mode. By then you can release the Volume Down button. Shortly after that, you will see an iTunes alert message saying that it has detected your iPhone in recovery mode. Follow the onscreen commands to start restoring and repairing iOS.
On an iPhone 8, 8 Plus and later models:
- Connect your device to the computer via USB cable.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then press and hold down the Side/Power button until the screen turns completely black then hold down both the Side/Power button and Volume Down button for 5 more seconds.
- After 5 seconds, release the Side/Power button but keep holding down the Volume Down button until nothing is displayed on the screen.
If you see nothing on the screen, it means your device is in DFU mode and is ready for system repair. After a few moments, you will see an iTunes alert saying that it has detected your iPhone in recovery mode. Use the Restore command to instigate iOS restore through iTunes.
If you’ve managed to successfully repair and restore your stuck iPhone in iTunes, you can exit DFU mode by performing a force-restart on your iOS device. Just refer to the previous steps on how to force restart your iPhone.
Fourth solution: Use alternative iOS repair tools to fix your Apple iPhone that’s stuck on Apple logo.
Some complex post-iOS update errors could not be dealt with iTunes alone. Thus, third-party tools come in handy. In an attempt to cater the augmenting demand for alternative iOS repair systems, non-Apple software developers create their own tools to serve the same purpose as that of or even more than what iTunes could do when dealing with major system issues on an iOS device. These tools can be downloaded for free or through a one-time purchase. Among the leading brands include but are not limited to Tenorshare ReiBoot, Dr. Fone – Repair, FonePaw iOS System Recovery, iMyFone iOS System Recovery, and Joyoshare UltFix, to name a few. Just select the software that you’d like to try and see if that will fix your iPhone that’s stuck on the Apple logo.
Among the problems that these tools are designed to address are performance issues including random to frequent lags and freezes, system crashes, and symptoms like an iPhone stuck on Apple logo.
What to do if your iPhone remains stuck on Apple logo?
There’s a higher chance that the problem you’re dealing with is attributed to hardware damage. Although the symptoms started to manifest after installing the latest iOS update, it’s still possible that your iPhone has already obtained some physical or liquid damage. To rule this out, you can visit the nearest Apple-authorized service center in your area and ask an iPhone technician to examine your device. If hardware damage is the underlying cause of the problem, then your iPhone needs physical repair. If your iPhone is still under warranty, contact your device provider or carrier to verify if you can avail for service warranty, if not, new iPhone replacement.
For further assistance and additional suggestions, contact Apple Support and tell them how and when your iPhone got stuck on Apple logo. Should this be found to be another iOS bug, then Apple will be obliged to deliver the required fix patch.
