How to fix an iphone stuck on apple logo

If your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo during startup and will not load past the home screen, you may think that your iPhone is permanently broken. But that may not be the case. Here are some ways to get your iPhone out of the startup loop and working properly again.

The fixes in this article apply to all iPhone models.

The iPhone gets stuck on the Apple logo screen when there's a problem with the operating system or the phone's hardware. It's hard for the average user to pinpoint the cause of the problem, but there are a few common causes:

• Problems when upgrading to a new version of iOS.
• Problems with jailbreaking the phone.
• Running a beta version of iOS that has expired.
• Problems when transferring data from an older device to a new one.
• Hardware damage to the internals of the iPhone.

If your iPhone has been stuck on the Apple logo screen for a long time (think 20-30 minutes or longer) and the progress bar hasn't change, there are three basic steps you should try to fix it.

If these troubleshooting tips don't work, you'll need to contact Apple customer service, or visit an Apple Store for in-person support. More on that at the end of the article.

1. Restart the iPhone. Many problems, including an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, can be fixed with a simple restart. Truthfully, a basic restart is unlikely to solve the problem in this case, but it is the simplest fix and that makes it worth trying. It only costs a few seconds of your time.

   If a standard restart doesn't work, you should also try a hard reset. A hard reset clears out more of the iPhone's memory (without any data loss) and can sometimes fix more difficult problems. The article linked to at the beginning of this section includes instructions for both kinds of reset.

2. Put the iPhone into Recovery Mode. Recovery Mode is a specific troubleshooting mode that can help in this case. When your iPhone is stuck at the Apple logo, it means that the operating system is having trouble starting up. Recovery Mode boots up the phone, but stops the OS from running so you can fix it. When using Recovery Mode, you can install a fresh version of iOS or a backup of your data. It's a fairly simple procedure and solves the problem in some cases.

3. Use DFU Mode. DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode stops your iPhone partway through the startup process and allows you to restore the iPhone, load a backup, or start fresh. It's similar to Recovery Mode, but more focused on solving the kind of low-level issues that cause the iPhone to be stuck on the Apple logo. Using DFU Mode takes some practice because it requires a precise set of actions, but it is often effective.

Here's an additional bonus tip: If your iPhone is stuck at the Apple logo when connected to a computer using a USB cable, the cable could be the problem. Try swapping out the USB cable for one that you know works well.

If you tried all the above steps and your iPhone is still stuck at the Apple logo, it's time to consult the experts. Make an Apple Store appointment using the app to get in-person support or contact Apple Support online.

FAQ

• Why is my iPhone stuck on a white screen?

• Why is my iPhone stuck on a black loading screen?

  If you’ve done a hard reset, but the black screen with a moving circle remains, your phone's software system is more than likely corrupt. If that’s the case, you’ll need to put your iPhone in Recovery Mode and then reset or reinstall iOS.

• How do I fix an iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode?

  To fix an iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode, try a hard reset first. If that doesn't work, restore the iPhone by connecting it to iTunes or Finder on your PC. As a last do-it-yourself option, put your phone in Device Firmware Update (DFU) Mode, then wait for the computer to download the necessary software and follow the prompts to restore your phone. 

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If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve got a device with a flashing Apple logo sitting in the palm of your hand right now. First things first: relax – we’ve got your back. 

There are a few reasons why an iPhone stuck on Apple logo can’t complete the boot-up process (which is why this phenomenon is known as a “boot loop”). 

It could be that something went wrong during an update or data transfer, corrupting the software. Jailbreaking your phone can also cause software issues that would lead to having an iPhone boot loop (not that we’re pointing any fingers. What you do in your spare time is your business). And, of course, hardware can be the source of the problem – though you should know that this by no means makes your phone a lost cause. 

So, what do you actually do for an iPhone stuck on Apple logo during the boot-up process? We recommend the following things. 

How to Perform a Hard Reset for an iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo

Image via Attila Fodemesi on Shutterstock

Maybe you haven’t heard of the hard reset solution, maybe you have – and have heard that it’s a waste of time. Either way, we say don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Performing a hard reset on your phone is simple, fast, and often more effective than you’d think. 

How to hard reset an iPhone 6S or earlier:

Hold down the power button and the home button simultaneously for up to 10 seconds until the phone restarts

How to hard reset an iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Simultaneously press and hold the side button and the volume down button

How to hard reset an iPhone 8 or newer:

Quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button

Once you’ve performed the hard reset, your phone’s screen may flash, or it may just go dark. The phone may reset on its own, or you might have to press the power button to get it going again. Hopefully, the boot loop issue will have been resolved. 

How to Update Your IOS in Recovery Mode Without Erasing All Your Data

If the hard reset doesn’t work, it’s possible that your phone may have been in the middle of an update and been interrupted, or that for another reason, reinstalling your IOS can get things back on track. 

To do this, you need a computer with iTunes installed on it, as well as a USB cable to connect your iPhone. The majority of the time, this process doesn’t delete any of your data, however, Apple doesn’t make any firm promises about that, so it’s best if your phone is backed up. 

How to enter recovery mode for all models:

First, connect your phone to your computer via the sync cable. Then, perform a hard reset as shown above, with the following changes:

For an iPhone 6S or earlier:

Continue holding the power and home buttons, even when you see the Apple logo appear

For an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus:

Continue holding the side button and volume down buttons, even after the Apple logo appears

For iPhone 8 or newer:

Continue holding the side button, even after you see the Apple logo

For all models:

1. Release when you see the “connect to iTunes” message pop on the iPhone screen
2. Launch iTunes on the computer
3. When prompted to update or restore, select update

How to Factory Restore Your iPhone, Without Keeping Your Data

If reinstalling and updating the IOS doesn’t work, it’s possible that a complete factory restore will. However, this will erase all of your data. If you’ve backed your data up on iCloud or a computer, or if nothing else is working, this may be the right option for you. 

Simply enter recovery mode as described above, and then instead of opting to update, select restore.

Avoid DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode

Many websites have instructions on how to perform a DFU – or device firmware update – restore. This is the mother of all restores, and basically completely flushes your phone out. Any bit of code that was in there gets deleted and restored. 

Apple doesn’t have instructions for the DFU restore on its website, and there’s a reason for that – it can mess your phone up permanently. A DFU restore may help you if the above solutions haven’t, but it’s worthwhile to investigate other options first. 

Broken Screen or Battery? We Can Help  

Whether it’s a cracked phone screen or a battery that’s not working quite right, there’s no reason to procrastinate – we will come to you and fix your phone in minutes. In fact, a Puls technician can come meet you virtually anywhere, as soon as the very same day.

With our upfront pricing plan, you can see our fair and competitive prices for yourself – there are no hidden fees and all repairs include our free lifetime guarantee on parts and service (and a one-year guarantee on batteries).

Just go online, book a time slot that suits your needs, and one of our top-notch techs will come to your desired location – be it the gym, office, or your home – as soon as same-day.