Can't start new iphone se

I've been trying to set up my new se and transfer the data from my old iphone to my new one but it keeps getting stuck downloading software and I just have the buffering circle going round and round for hours, I've made sure the software on my old one is up to date but it hasn't made any difference and no matter how many times I start again it keeps getting stuck at the same point every time. Is there anything I can do to either get it to actually download the update or leave it till after the phone is set up and download it later?

Posted on Sep 23, 2023 3:56 PM

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Posted on Sep 24, 2023 4:03 PM

For anyone who might have this problem in the future and finds this thread, I managed to find the solution with the help of Apple support. After starting the Quick Start and going through a few screens you will get the option to manually choose where your apps and data are transferred from, choose don't transfer any data, this should get you to a generic home screen. From there go into Settings - General - Software Update and download any and all of them in order, when they have all installed go back into Settings - General and scroll all the way to the bottom and choose Transfer or Reset iPhone to do a factory reset. Agree to delete all of the existing data on the phone and it will restart as if you had just taken it out of the box, at which point you can do Quick Start properly and move all of the apps and data from your old phone to the new one without being blocked by an update. This worked for me so I hope this helps.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 24, 2023 4:03 PM in response to Tawnie-

For anyone who might have this problem in the future and finds this thread, I managed to find the solution with the help of Apple support. After starting the Quick Start and going through a few screens you will get the option to manually choose where your apps and data are transferred from, choose don't transfer any data, this should get you to a generic home screen. From there go into Settings - General - Software Update and download any and all of them in order, when they have all installed go back into Settings - General and scroll all the way to the bottom and choose Transfer or Reset iPhone to do a factory reset. Agree to delete all of the existing data on the phone and it will restart as if you had just taken it out of the box, at which point you can do Quick Start properly and move all of the apps and data from your old phone to the new one without being blocked by an update. This worked for me so I hope this helps.

Sep 23, 2023 4:27 PM in response to Tawnie-

If the software on the old phone is a more recent version than what the new phone has on it, you will not be able to transfer the data anyway. You can’t restore a newer iOS backup to a device running a lesser version iOS.


if that’s your situation, you will have to update the new phone first. You can try using another WiFi network, or update using a computer if you have one.


You can also try restarting your router and the new phone. Restart the router first, and let it boot up. Then restart your phone and try again.


Migration Assistant is computer to computer. It doesn’t work for an iPhone.


If you want to update using a computer, see this.


Learn how to update your device manually if you're using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or if you're using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier or a Windows PC.

Sep 23, 2023 5:32 PM in response to Tawnie-

Actually, the data transfer can’t start while the phone is updating. Updating the old phone has no effect on the new phone not updating.


Are you able to restart the new phone? If a standard restart won’t work, try a forced restart as explained in here.

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support


You may need to click on one of the links for the correct instructions for your model of SE.


Sep 23, 2023 4:16 PM in response to Tawnie-

Tawnie- Said:

"Can't start new iphone se: Is there anything I can do to either get it to actually download the update or leave it till after the phone is set up and download it later?"

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Update with a Computer:

You should update using my computer. Then, perform he transfer with Migration Assistant. Use my User tip to find out how to perform the update thous use of a computer: Update your iPhone Using a Computer - User Tip

Sep 23, 2023 5:30 PM in response to Tawnie-

Tawnie- Said:

"Quick start is what I'm trying to use and I can't update first because the data transfer is part of the set up process which includes the update so I can't do that first because I can't get into the phone before it is set up."

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Stalled New iPhone:

If it is stalled, then you'll have to Force Restart the iPhone, if it is stalled. See where that get you.


Restfrom a Backup:

Did you ever back up your iPhone prior to all of this? If so, then restore your iPhone format he backup. In not, then take this as a learning experience, knowing to always create a backup of your iphon device, prior to all of this. That way you have something to restore your iphone from should anything go wrong with the reset.

Sep 23, 2023 5:02 PM in response to Tawnie-

Tawnie Said:

"It's trying to do the update as part of the data migration process, connecting it to my computer when it isn't set up isn't going to help with that."

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As Demo said: "Migration Assistant is computer to computer. It doesn’t work for an iPhone."


Quick Start is what to use: Use Quick Start to Transfer Data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

So, update, then use Quick Start.


Sep 23, 2023 4:53 PM in response to Tawnie-


Tawnie- wrote:

I tried it first before updating the software on my old phone and it wasn't working so I updated it and it still isn't working

You tried what first? Explain step by step what you did please.

You say to update the new phone first but I can't do that because it won't start up without the update which is part of the data transfer from the old one to the new one.

I’m not sure I understand. The new phone should start up (power up) no matter what iOS it is currently running.

Sep 23, 2023 5:04 PM in response to Demo

I've been trying to set up my new iphone all day and the main part of that is transferring all of the apps and data from the old phone to the new one but as a part of the data transfer it wants to update the software on the new phone before it will let me into the phone to use it. This is where it keeps getting stuck so I updated the software on my current (old) phone to see if that would make a difference but it didn't and I don't see how I can update the software using my computer when I can't even get to a home screen and still transfer everything over.

Sep 24, 2023 2:02 AM in response to TheLittles

I've done force restart on both multiple times and if this

In not, then take this as a learning experience, knowing to always create a backup of your iphon device, prior to all of this. That way you have something to restore your iphone from should anything go wrong with the reset.

is your version of helping me then don't bother as I've made clear the problem isn't me it's with the update which won't download so implying that it is my fault is so very wrong.

Sep 24, 2023 2:08 AM in response to Demo

I've done a forced restart on both and it hasn't made any difference. I left it trying to do the update overnight and it didn't get any further than before, I really think that the problem is the update and not me as I can't even see what update it's trying to download because that bit is hidden under the gear symbol and it keeps stalling at the installation.

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Can't start new iphone se

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