iPhone stuck on the Apple logo? How to fix it without losing data
An iPhone frozen on the Apple logo can almost always be fixed with a computer, and in most cases you keep all your data.
Is it really stuck?
If you see the Apple logo with a progress bar, the phone may be finishing an update. That can take a long time on a nearly full iPhone. Leave it plugged in and give it an hour. If the bar has not moved at all in that time, it is stuck.
The fix
Fix 1: force restart
- 1
iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation).
Press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then press and hold the side button. Let go when the phone restarts.
- 2
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
Hold the side button and volume down together until the phone restarts.
- 3
iPhone 6s and earlier.
Hold the Home button and the side (or top) button together until the phone restarts.
If the phone starts normally, you are done. If it goes straight back to the Apple logo, move on to recovery mode.
The fix
Fix 2: recovery mode and Update (keeps your data)
You need a Mac, or a Windows PC with the free Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store (iTunes also works on older Windows versions).
- 1
Connect the iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.
- 2
Open Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app on Windows.
- 3
Do the force restart button sequence, but keep holding the side button.
Keep holding past the Apple logo until you see the recovery mode screen, which shows a computer and a cable.
- 4
When the computer asks, choose Update.
The computer downloads iOS and reinstalls it. This can take 15 minutes or longer depending on your internet speed.
- 5
If the download takes over 15 minutes, repeat the steps.
The iPhone leaves recovery mode after 15 minutes. Just put it back in and choose Update again.
Why iPhones get stuck on the Apple logo
- An update that was interrupted, for example when the battery ran out mid-install.
- Storage so full that iOS cannot finish starting up.
- A corrupted system file after a crash.
- Hardware damage from a drop or water, especially if the problem started right after.
If recovery mode does not work
The computer does not see the iPhone
Try another cable and USB port, update macOS or the Apple Devices app, and restart the computer.
Update fails with an error
Try Update once more. If it fails again, Restore is the next step. Your data is only safe if you have a backup.
Restore also fails
This usually means a hardware fault. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or authorized repair shop.
Frequently asked questions
How long should the Apple logo stay on screen?
A normal startup takes under a minute. During an iOS update the logo and progress bar can stay for 30 minutes or more. Only treat it as stuck if the progress bar has not moved for at least an hour.
Will recovery mode erase my iPhone?
Not if you choose Update. Update reinstalls iOS and keeps your data. Restore erases everything, so only use it if Update fails.
Can I fix an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo without a computer?
Only a force restart works without a computer. If that does not help, you need a Mac or Windows PC for recovery mode, or an Apple Store or authorized repair shop can do it for you.
What to try next
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