iPhone Frozen During an iOS Update? How to Fix It

Updating iOS is meant to be a simple process that you can complete directly from the iPhone’s settings. But sometimes, you can encounter several issues when trying to update the device.

One of the most common issues is an iPhone that is frozen during or after the update. If your device freezes during an iOS 17 update, the solutions in this article will prove very useful to you. Read on and check out.

How Long Does an iOS Update Take?

While it is not uncommon for an iOS update to take longer than expected, Apple’s official statement is that an iOS update should take about an hour. The total amount of time it will take for your iPhone to complete the update process will however depend on several factors including the strength of the network you are using.

You may not be able to tell if the iOS update is stuck because the only thing you see on the screen during the update is a progress bar and it may not be easy to check if the progress bar is moving.

How to Tell If iPhone Freezes During an Update?

If you think that the iOS update process is stuck, there is an easy way to check. Just press one of the hardware buttons on the device and if you see “iPhone will restart when Update Completes” appear on the screen, then the update is ongoing and you just need to give it time.

But if you don’t see that message appear on the screen, then there may be something wrong with the update process and you may need to troubleshoot the problem.

Why iPhone Freezes During or After an iOS Update?

Before we look at some of the ways that you can troubleshoot an iPhone that freezes during or after an update, it is important to first look at some of the reasons why your device gets stuck. They include the following;

• An iOS update may get stuck if there is not enough storage space on the iPhone to accommodate the update. A lack of memory can cause the device to freeze and may also be responsible for other performance issues.
• Your iPhone update may also fail if the network connection is not strong enough to effectively communicate with Apple servers.
• You will also have a hard time downloading and installing the update if the iPhone is overheated.
• A corrupt application or system error can also affect the iOS update process, causing the iPhone to freeze during or after the update.

How to Fix iPhone Frozen During iOS Update?

The following are the best ways to fix an iPhone that is frozen during or after an iOS update;

1. Charge the Device

If your iPhone has a low battery or run out of battery during the update, the device can get frozen. The best way to avoid this problem is to make sure that your device has at least 50% battery before starting the update process.

If you have already started to update the device, connecting the device to a wall charger and letting it charge for about 10-15 minutes undisturbed can help. After 15 minutes of uninterrupted charging, check to see if the update process has resumed.

2. Force Restarting the Device

A force restart is one of the best ways to resolve system issues that may cause an iPhone to get stuck during an update. Use these steps to force restart the iPhone;

Newer iPhone Models;

Press once and then quickly release the Volume Increase button. Press once the Volume Decrease button once and then long press the Side/Power button. When the iPhone restarts, release the Side button.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus;

Press both the Volume Down and the Power buttons at the same time. Continue to hold down both buttons until the device restarts.

iPhone 6 or older models;

Hold down both the Home and Power buttons. Release both buttons when the device begins to restart.

3. Fix iPhone Frozen During Update without Data Loss

Although it can be an effective solution, a force restart may not be able to get rid of all the system issues. So, if a force restart doesn’t work, we recommend using an iOS system repair tool like Fucosoft iOS System Recovery. This program is designed to get to the most stubborn iOS system issues and has been known to be one of the best ways to repair a frozen iPhone during update.

Before we see how to repair your iPhone, let’s first look at some of its most useful features;

• The most effective way to repair numerous iOS system issues including a frozen iPhone;
• Supports all versions of iOS and all iPhone models including iOS 17/16 and iPhone 15/14;
• It can also be used to reset the iPhone without a password or using iTunes;
• It will repair any iOS issues without affecting your data on your iPhone.

Follow these simple steps to fix an iPhone that freezes during or after an update;

Step 1: Run Fucosoft iOS System Recovery on your computer and click on the “Start” on the main screen.

Step 2: Use the device’s original cable to establish a connection with your computer. The software should detect the connected device, then choose “Standard Repair”. If it doesn’t, you should follow the instructions on the screen to put the device in recovery mode or DFU mode.

Step 3: You should then be prompted to download firmware for the device. Select “Download” to start downloading the firmware package needed.

Step 4: Click “Start Standard Repair” as soon as the download is complete and Fucosoft iOS System Recovery will begin fixing the device. The whole repair process shouldn’t take too long.

4. Restore with iTunes or Finder (Data Loss)

Another great solution for an iPhone that is frozen during an update is to restore the device using iTunes or Finder. The only problem with this solution is that you may lose some of the new data that was not included in a backup.

Before attempting these steps, we recommend backing up the data on your iPhone if it is at all possible;

• Start by connecting the iPhone to the computer. Open iTunes on PC or Finder on macOS Catalina and later.
• Click on the iPhone icon when it appears in the upper-left corner of the screen.
• Click on “Summary” and choose “Restore Backup.”
• Choose the latest backup and click “Restore.” Then all you have to do is wait for iTunes or Finder to restore the device.

5. Contact Apple

If all the solutions above don’t work, then there may be something wrong with the hardware components on the iPhone or another deeper iOS system issue that you are not equipped to diagnose. In this case, we recommend making an appointment at your local Apple store for further assistance.

FAQs About iPhone Frozen During or After Update

What Would Happen If I Disconnect the iPhone During a Software Update?

If you are using iTunes or Finder to update your iPhone to the latest version, Apple recommends keeping the device connected to your PC or Mac until the process is complete.

They don’t specifically say the issues that may occur if the device is disconnected during the process, but it is safe to assume that the software could become corrupt, causing issues with the device’s performance and other system problems.

Can I Stop an iPhone Update in Progress?

Yes. Stopping an update in progress can be done in the device’s settings. Just open the Settings app on your device and select “General.” Tap on “iPhone Storage” and scroll down to select “Delete Update.” This will delete the update files that have already been downloaded and stop the update process.

Conclusion

Updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS should ordinarily be a very simple process, especially if you are updating the device OTA. But the process is not without its faults and sometimes an iPhone can get frozen during or after an update. The solutions we have looked at above should be able to help you resolve the problem and complete the update process. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.