You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

iPhone 15 Stuck on Software Update

I just purchased my iPhone 15. I already activated it, so my iPhone 11 no longer has service, but I have been waiting over an hour for my iPhone 15 to update. The software update is 17.0.3 and it is 425.5MB. The phone is connected to the charger and connected to Wi-Fi…how long is this suppose to take? I can’t go anywhere until the update finishes, since my old phone does not have service anymore.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 15, 2023 2:12 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 15, 2023 2:50 PM

That’s the problem….it won’t let me leave the screen…it’s just stuck on the software update screen, I can’t do anything else on the phone… it’s just stuck on that screen… should I turn it off and try again….?

73 replies

Jan 23, 2024 3:06 AM in response to Karia0025

My iPhone X usually updates in a reasonable time.

The above ScreenShot was taken about an hour after the UpDate Request was made.

After a further 1.75 hours, I took another ScreenShot because it was displayed with About 2 Days remaining.

This ScreenShot has yet to appear on my MacBook.

In the intervening time, the display varies between 4 and 15 hours.


My Download Speed is 350Mbps:



Looking at the situation with the update, it stands at about 11 hours remaining.

On double-checking the wording, it is now About [but how long for?] 20 hours remaining.


Like most users, I NEED to use my iPhone, and this updating time is unacceptable.


Dear Mr Timothy Donald Cook, should I update to the iPhone 15 + Watch 9, or perhaps [Donald] Duck out of this version?


From a very unhappy Apple customer.

Sep 25, 2024 11:06 PM in response to Karia0025

hello guys, i have found a solution to this problem :)

  1. step: go through the initial setup and dont import any data, just go for the blank setup
  2. step: install the system update in your settings like you usually do
  3. step: go to general> transfer or reset iphone>erase all content and settings, youll get back to your initial setup with the new system update
  4. step: if you got issues with connecting to ur old phone where u scan that blue cloud of glitter, do it manual, there is a selection for it below
  5. step: proceed normally and it should work :)))

found this comment on youtube


Oct 15, 2023 3:12 PM in response to Karia0025

I cannot recommend shutting your device off while it is updating as that usually always leads to problems, but I also have not seen the Software Update screen without the progress bar that tells you what step is being performed. Hopefully someone else who has seen this issue will be able to chime in. I understand your frustration as updates are normally performed without a hitch and 2 hours is too long to wait for this update.


Without recommending restarting your device, I don't know what other options you have at this point.


Jan 23, 2024 7:34 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Hi Mac Jim ID

As far as I am aware, it sailed through Request Download, and the ScreenShot shows it Downloading.

The randomly varying estimated times are now frequently interspersed with pauses.


Given my WiFi situation and the fact that there is nothing adrift with my MacBook and iPad, both updated today, I am not inclined to think anything is wrong here.


Unfortunately, on this side of the pond, Apple seems to be doing a two-finger job to customers, charging way above exchange rate prices, failing to correct multiple issues with the software, and instead electing to update to new versions possibly containing the same glitches. Apple does NOT just work anymore.


Does anyone know how to reinstall iOS from this almost-frozen position?

Apr 11, 2024 9:50 PM in response to Karia0025

Apr 11, 2024 9:33 PM in response to Karia0025

Well, seems as if I am in good company. I upgraded my 14 pro max to the 15 pro max and I too have began the setup and now had it waiting for 12hrs to update. I have restarted the process, turned off the VPN plugged it in again nothing. I am on the fastest broadband allegedly in the UK with Virgin Media. Currently my health is not good and I am awaiting heart surgery and getting to an Apple Store atm is not feasible. This is a ridiculous situation to be in and it may well be going back

Apr 11, 2024 5:14 PM in response to Karia0025

An Apple technician gave me these steps https://support.apple.com/en-us/118106 but that didn't actually work for me.


When I plugged in the phone to my macbook, it showed up as connected without any issues. Putting it in activation mode resulted in the phone being rebooted and I had to start over the with the activation process.


I think the biggest issue for me was trying to restore it from my old phone, which I end up giving up.


Now it's trying to perform the update (for me it was a 1.5GB file) but has been stuck on "Preparing Update..." for over 20mins. If it remains stuck, I might have to go to the apple store :(

Oct 15, 2023 2:46 PM in response to Karia0025

Is this on the Software Update screen located at Settings > General > Software Update? It should show you on this screen what step it is on. If it is still downloading, then the network connection is slowing it down. This could be either on your end or Apples server. Normally a slow down on the Apple Servers only occurs the day of a recent update when all users are updating at the same time.

Jan 24, 2024 8:09 AM in response to Froggy Grodkin

This is to complete my experience with the iPhone iOs 17.3 update.


During the many Apple updates that have taken place across my devices, I have never interrupted any stage during the process. There has never been the need to make such an interruption.

The exceedingly long delay in updating caused me to search for solutions. I discovered Apple information stating that the iPhone could be used during Downloading.

This enabled me to relax somewhat, and I let the update progress.


The update download Request was made at approximately 09:20.

The Download was commenced at approximately 09:30.

I missed the Preparing notification.

The Verification notification appeared at approximately 17:20.

The Ready to Install notification appeared at approximately 17:25.

The installation was Completed at 17:35.


The lesson learned is to Terminate the Download and Restart the Update.

In my case, I would allow the Download between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.


[Edited by Moderator]




Apr 11, 2024 7:10 PM in response to Karia0025

Greetings everyone. I also had the Update Software freeze. I contacted Apple support and the tech helped me install the update using my computer. I am fortunate to have a MacBook Air so the download and subsequent upload to the new phone was relatively painless. My suggestion for those without Mac compatible computers would be to take your new phone to an Apple Store and allow the professionals to deal with it. Obviously they are having issues with the start-up software update. Good luck folks.

Apr 11, 2024 8:33 PM in response to Karia0025

Well, seems as if I am in good company. I upgraded my 14 pro max to the 15 pro max and I too have began the setup and now had it waiting for 12hrs to update. I have restarted the process, turned off the VPN plugged it in again nothing. I am on the fastest broadband allegedly in the UK with Virgin Media. Currently my health is not good and I am awaiting heart surgery and getting to an Apple Store atm is not feasible. This is a ridiculous situation to be in and it may well be going back

iPhone 15 Stuck on Software Update

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.