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User profile for user: iphoneuserkh
iphoneuserkh Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

iPhone Update iOS 10 to iOS 13 - Passcode Screen Greyed Out + Stuck in Loop

I tried to update my phone from iOS 10 to iOS 13, and it is now stuck in a loop. It shows this:


  1. Apple logo
  2. Passcode screen, but it is grey and I can't type anything. It says "Searching" in upper left corner
  3. Turns black with a loading wheel
  4. Starts Apple logo again
  5. Apple logo flickers in and out (will turn off for a moment then back on)


Is this normal? Is it just taking a long time to update because I am skipping so many iOS versions?


Here's what I've done so far to troubleshoot: before I updated, i was running out of space. My phone said it would remove apps to make room for the download and then redownload them when my phone turned back on. Once this update loop started, I left it for 3 hours uninterrupted, then tried to restart the phone. I left it again for 5 hours overnight and tried restarting it in the morning, and it has been 3 hours since the last restart.


I tried plugging it into my Mac to download the update manually, but it says I don't have enough space to download the update.


I have backed up my photos (most important), but haven't backed up contacts or text messages that I would prefer to save if possible.

iPhone 7, iOS 10

Posted on Jan 13, 2020 8:13 AM

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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
413,940 points

Posted on Jan 13, 2020 9:22 AM

  • You still see a black screen after charging, force restarting, following the steps in this article.
  • You see a black screen, but you can hear alerts, sounds, and vibrations.
  • The screen remains black, but the device chirps when you unmute it and connect it to power.
  • Your screen is on, but it doesn't respond when you tap, slide, or try other gestures. 
  • You can't force your device to restart because a button is broken or stuck.
  • Your device is stuck on the Apple logo, displays a solid color, or isn't recognized in iTunes.

Contact Apple Support to set up service if you have any of the above issues:

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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
413,940 points

Jan 13, 2020 9:22 AM in response to iphoneuserkh

  • You still see a black screen after charging, force restarting, following the steps in this article.
  • You see a black screen, but you can hear alerts, sounds, and vibrations.
  • The screen remains black, but the device chirps when you unmute it and connect it to power.
  • Your screen is on, but it doesn't respond when you tap, slide, or try other gestures. 
  • You can't force your device to restart because a button is broken or stuck.
  • Your device is stuck on the Apple logo, displays a solid color, or isn't recognized in iTunes.

Contact Apple Support to set up service if you have any of the above issues:

Reply
User profile for user: iphoneuserkh
iphoneuserkh Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Jan 13, 2020 9:57 AM in response to SravanKrA

Is the cycle I described a normal process for an update, and it's just taking longer? Or does this mean it is continuously rebooting because of an error?


I have an appointment, but I can't get in until tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm curious if there are other troubleshoot steps I should take.


Every time the apple logo flickers, I can hear the beep that my phone normally makes when it is plugged in to charge. I asked a friend to text me to test it, and this noise coincides with when I should be receiving a message.

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iPhone Update iOS 10 to iOS 13 - Passcode Screen Greyed Out + Stuck in Loop

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