iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo? 7 Ways to Fix It

ByMyErrorFix

Quick Fix

Force restart your iPhone. For iPhone 8 or newer: Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo disappear and reappear. This fixes most boot loops.

Your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo and won’t boot up. You’ve tried turning it off, but it just shows that Apple logo again. And again. It’s incredibly frustrating, especially when you need your phone.

This problem is more common than you’d think, and in most cases, you can fix it yourself without losing your data. Let me show you what actually works.

Why Your iPhone Gets Stuck on the Apple Logo

When your iPhone shows the Apple logo, it’s trying to boot up but something is stopping it. Common causes include:

  • Failed iOS update – The update got interrupted or corrupted
  • Jailbreak gone wrong – Modified system files causing boot issues
  • Storage completely full – No space left for the system to operate
  • Corrupted system files – Software got damaged somehow
  • Hardware issues – Less common, but possible with older phones
  • Bad data transfer – Migration from another phone failed

The good news is that most of these are software problems, which means they’re fixable.

How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo

1. Force Restart Your iPhone (Try This First)

A force restart is different from a regular restart – it cuts power completely and can break the boot loop. The method depends on your iPhone model:

iPhone 8, X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and newer:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
  3. Press and hold the Side button
  4. Keep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo reappears
  5. Release the button and wait for your phone to boot

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

  1. Press and hold both the Volume Down and Side button together
  2. Keep holding for about 10 seconds
  3. Release when you see the Apple logo

iPhone 6s and earlier:

  1. Press and hold both the Home button and Side button together
  2. Keep holding for about 10 seconds
  3. Release when you see the Apple logo

If your phone boots up normally, you’re done. If it goes back to the Apple logo, move on to the next fix.

2. Charge Your iPhone for 30 Minutes

Sometimes the battery is too low to complete the boot process, even if your phone shows the Apple logo.

  1. Connect your iPhone to the original Apple charger (or a quality MFi-certified cable)
  2. Plug into a wall outlet, not a computer USB port
  3. Wait at least 30 minutes
  4. Try the force restart again

If your phone was completely dead, you might see a charging screen before it attempts to boot again.

3. Update iOS Using Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode lets you reinstall iOS without losing your data. This fixes most software-related boot loops.

What you need:

  • A computer with iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac with macOS Catalina or later)
  • A Lightning or USB-C cable
  • Internet connection for downloading iOS

Steps:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer
  2. Open iTunes or Finder
  3. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode:
    • iPhone 8 or newer: Press Volume Up, release. Press Volume Down, release. Hold Side button until you see the recovery mode screen (computer and cable icon)
    • iPhone 7: Hold Volume Down + Side button until recovery mode screen
    • iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold Home + Side button until recovery mode screen
  4. Your computer will detect “an iPhone in recovery mode”
  5. Click Update (NOT Restore – Update keeps your data)
  6. Wait for the download and installation to complete (can take 20-30 minutes)

Your iPhone should restart normally after the update finishes.

4. Try DFU Mode Restore (If Recovery Mode Fails)

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a deeper restore that can fix problems Recovery Mode can’t. Warning: This will erase your data if you don’t have a backup.

For iPhone 8 or newer:

  1. Connect to computer and open iTunes/Finder
  2. Press and release Volume Up
  3. Press and release Volume Down
  4. Hold the Side button for 10 seconds
  5. While still holding Side button, also hold Volume Down for 5 seconds
  6. Release the Side button but keep holding Volume Down for 10 more seconds
  7. The screen should stay black (if you see the Apple logo, start over)
  8. iTunes/Finder will detect a device in recovery mode
  9. Click Restore and follow the prompts

DFU mode is tricky to enter – the timing has to be precise. You might need a few attempts.

5. Free Up Storage Using a Computer

If your iPhone is stuck because storage is completely full, you might be able to free up space using your computer.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer
  2. If it appears in iTunes/Finder even while stuck, you can try:
  3. Delete photos by accessing them through Windows Explorer or Mac Finder
  4. Remove apps through iTunes (older versions)
  5. Once some space is free, try the force restart again

This doesn’t always work when the phone is boot-looping, but it’s worth trying before a full restore.

6. Wait It Out (Seriously)

Sometimes iPhones get stuck during an update that’s actually still running in the background. Before doing anything drastic:

  • Leave your phone on the charger
  • Wait up to 2-3 hours
  • The update might complete on its own

This is especially true after major iOS updates, which can take much longer than expected to install.

7. Contact Apple Support

If nothing works, you might have a hardware problem. Signs that point to hardware issues:

  • Phone was dropped or water damaged recently
  • This happened without any update or software change
  • DFU restore fails repeatedly
  • Phone gets very hot during boot attempts

Apple Support: support.apple.com or call 1-800-275-2273

If your phone is under warranty or you have AppleCare+, repairs may be free or discounted.

How to Prevent This From Happening Again

  • Keep 10-15% storage free – Full storage causes all sorts of problems
  • Update when plugged in – Don’t start updates on low battery
  • Back up regularly – Use iCloud or iTunes so you don’t lose data if you need to restore
  • Don’t interrupt updates – Let them finish, even if they take a while
  • Avoid sketchy apps – Stick to the App Store

FAQ

Will I lose my data if I use Recovery Mode?

If you choose “Update” in Recovery Mode, your data should be preserved. Only choosing “Restore” will erase your phone. However, always have a backup just in case – things can go wrong.

How long should I wait before trying a fix?

Give your phone about 30 minutes on the charger before assuming it’s stuck. If the Apple logo has been showing for more than an hour with no progress bar, it’s definitely stuck and you should try the fixes above.

My iPhone shows a progress bar under the Apple logo – is it stuck?

A progress bar means an update or restore is in progress. This is normal and can take up to an hour. Don’t interrupt it – just wait. Only if the bar hasn’t moved in 30+ minutes should you try a force restart.

Can a bad charger cause this problem?

Indirectly, yes. If a charger provides inconsistent power during an update, it can corrupt the installation. Always use Apple or high-quality MFi-certified chargers for updates.

Wrapping Up

An iPhone stuck on the Apple logo is scary, but it’s usually fixable. Start with a force restart – that solves it for most people. If that doesn’t work, Recovery Mode update is your next best option since it keeps your data.

Only go for DFU mode and full restore as a last resort, and make sure you have a backup before you do. If none of the software fixes work, it’s time to visit Apple – you might have a hardware problem that needs professional attention.

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