iPhone stuck on Update Requested? 7 fixes to try

You tapped Download and Install, and the Software Update screen now says Update Requested. A few minutes later it still says the same thing. It is a frustrating status, because it does not tell you whether anything is happening. This guide explains what it means, how to tell a slow server from a real stall, and the order of fixes that works best.

What does Update Requested mean on an iPhone?

Update Requested is the first stage of an iOS update. Your iPhone has asked Apple for the update file and is waiting for the download to begin. After this, you normally see Estimating Time Remaining, then a progress bar, then Preparing Update, and finally the install. If the phone never leaves the first stage, the request did not go through or the download cannot start.It is different from Verifying Update, which happens after the file is downloaded. If your phone is on that later screen, see our guide to an iPhone stuck on Verifying Update.

Why is my iPhone stuck on Update Requested?

• A busy Apple server. On the day of a major release, millions of people ask for the update at once and the queue slows down.
• Weak or unstable Wi-Fi. A connection that drops, or a router that blocks large downloads, stops the request.
• Not enough storage. The update needs several gigabytes to download and unpack.
• A VPN, a proxy or a content blocker. These can block the connection to Apple’s update servers.
• A damaged or outdated download. The phone may be asking for a version Apple no longer serves, or it holds a half-finished file.
• A software glitch. A simple restart clears it in many cases.

Is it stuck, or just slow?

If the update was released in the last day or two, wait first. Plug the iPhone in, stay on Wi-Fi and give it an hour or two. Servers often catch up on their own. If the update is older, or you have waited several hours with no change, move on to the fixes below. You can also check Apple’s System Status page for the iOS software update service to see if Apple reports a problem.

If you use a VPN, switch it off under Settings › VPN while you update. If your Wi-Fi seems slow or keeps dropping, test it with another device, or read our guide to an iPhone that will not connect to Wi-Fi.

Fix 2: Delete the downloaded update and start again

This is the fix that works most often. A half-finished or outdated update can leave the request frozen. Removing it forces the phone to ask Apple for a clean copy.

If you do not see an update in iPhone Storage, there is nothing to delete, so move on to the next fix. The exact list can vary by iOS version.

Fix 3: Restart the iPhone

Restart before trying anything bigger. Press and hold the side button and a volume button, drag the slider to turn the phone off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. If the screen is frozen, force restart: press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. A restart does not delete any data, and it fixes the stall for many people.

Fix 4: Reset network settings

If the connection to Apple’s servers is the problem, a reset of the network stack often helps. Open Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset › Reset Network Settings. This clears saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, VPN profiles and cellular settings, but it does not erase your photos, apps or messages. You will need to rejoin your Wi-Fi with its password afterward, then check for the update again.

Fix 5: Change networks or DNS

Some routers, school networks and office networks block or slow large downloads. Try a different Wi-Fi network, such as a phone hotspot from another device if your data plan allows, or a friend’s home network. At home, restart the router by unplugging it for a minute. If you know how, you can also change the DNS server on the Wi-Fi network to a public one. Only try this if you are comfortable undoing it.

Fix 6: Update from a computer

A computer downloads the update on its own connection and installs it over a cable. That bypasses the iPhone’s download step completely, so it works well when the phone is stuck on the request.

If the computer fails, or the iPhone ends up on a different screen, our guide to updating your iPhone covers the computer method in more detail. Back up first if you can. See how to back up your iPhone.

Fix 7: Last resort, recovery mode

If the iPhone becomes unresponsive, or an update was interrupted and the phone no longer starts correctly, use recovery mode on a computer and choose Update. Update keeps your data. Choose Restore only if Update fails and you have a backup, because Restore erases the phone. If the phone is stuck on a black screen with the Apple logo, see an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo.

What the update screens mean, in order

Knowing the stages helps you tell where the problem sits. They run in this order, and each one points to a different kind of trouble:

• Update Requested: the phone has asked Apple for the file. Stuck here means a server, network or storage problem.
• Estimating Time Remaining: the download has begun. A stall here is usually Wi-Fi.
• Downloading with a progress bar: the file is coming down. Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and plugged in.
• Preparing Update and Verifying Update: the phone checks the file. A stall here has its own guide, linked above.
• Installing: the phone restarts and shows the Apple logo with a bar. Do not interrupt it.

Automatic updates and what to turn off

If you let the phone update by itself, you may find it parked on Update Requested overnight. Open Settings › General › Software Update › Automatic Updates to see what is on. Automatic updates only download over Wi-Fi when the phone is locked and charging. If your phone keeps getting stuck this way, turn off Automatic Updates, update by hand during the day and watch the screen. You can turn the setting back on once you are on a newer version and things are running normally.

Can I skip the update?

Yes, for a short while. Apple often releases a small fix soon after a big update, and the second release tends to download more smoothly. Security updates matter, though, so do not put them off for long. If your phone is too old to get the newest iOS, the update will show an older version or none at all. In that case, the best next step is a newer phone or a battery replacement if the phone is slow. Our guide on whether an iPhone battery replacement is worth it can help you decide.

Still stuck? What to check next

• Look at Settings › General › About and note your iOS version and model, then check Apple’s list of supported devices.
• Try again the next day, when the servers are less busy.
• Remove any beta profile under Settings › General › VPN & Device Management, then check for updates.
• Make sure the date and time are set to automatic under Settings › General › Date & Time.
• Book an appointment with Apple Support if the phone also overheats, restarts or loses battery fast.

Quick checklist

• You are on strong Wi-Fi, plugged in and have 5 to 10 GB free.
• You waited a few hours if the update just came out.
• You deleted the update in iPhone Storage and tried again.
• You restarted the phone and reset network settings.
• You tried a different network, or updated from a computer.