iPhone 15 Stuck on Software Update

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

Just figured this out on my own. No apple store visit required. All you need to do is hold down your power button and click start over to reset the iphone. Once it’s done resetting start the process over again but DO NOT use the transfer from an old iphone feature. Instead set it up as a new phone with no backup. Once it’s all done setting up go to Software update tab in the new iphone and update it from there. When it’s all done updating go ahead and fully erase the new iphone again. This will allow you to set it up using a data transfer again but you won’t have to update the iphone in the process. Should be smooth sailing from there. Cheers.

I was having the same issue, so I pressed the side button, clicked the “start over” option, and then set up my phone as a new one (no transfer from backup). Installed the update , erased all content and settings, and then began all over the process to transfer from my old phone as usual.

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.

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.

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?

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 :(

same here! just got mine, it’s had this loading sign for awhile.

Yes mine is saying that too

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

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.

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]

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.

I couldn’t finish software update even after forced quit 10 times. I went to ATT yesterday. Staff tried to finish but same thing. They finally updated mine after 1.5 hour effort. They reset data transfer (no transfer) then software update completed. Later they transferred data. So in short, data transfer first and software second jammed the process.