iPhone stuck on preparing update screen

Yes! This worked! If you have a PC you download the “Apple Devices” app and connect to PC. From there I did a direct wired transfer (lightning to USB-C) and it finally worked!

I did this on PC and it did work, I just booted up iTunes, plugged in my iPhone and it started updating my iPhone automatically to 17.4.1, thank you!

iPhone SE, Gen 3, trying to go from 17.2 to 17.4.1. Used the Apple Devices app in Windows to update there, worked like a charm. Thanks.

Download Apple Devices on Win PC then connect your iphone to pc the click trust both pc and your iphone. Then click upper left then click general then click update then wait until process done and don't disconnect iphone to pc until you see your phone has been updated. Have a great day!

FIX FOR PC USERS!

Hello, I had the same issue. Tried setting up a brand new iPhone 15 with iTunes, but it asked me to update the iTunes but I had the newest version. But I finally got it to the point where I'm transferring data. Download on PC in Microsoft Store - Apple Devices! This worked for me...I hope Apple will fix it soon. Thanks BIGuy2

had same problem on my ipad, but I just restarted it and problem is solved

I fixed it by restarting the upgrade process but choosing NOT to transfer over my data. That allowed me to log in without the iOS update. Then when in, go through the system to update the iOS software. Once done, then reset your phone settings and data. And then go through the set up process again and since the iOS software is now updated, it allows you to complete the transfer process. FIXED!

This did the trick for the 15 Pro Max, I just force reset twice and it eventually updated. But for the Iphone 15, I had to use my computer. It took about 1/3 of the time just connecting the USB-C to your computer and doing the update from there.

I had the same problem yesterday setting up my new iPhone 15 PRO. I was on the phone with Apple Tech Support and they had me doing the same thing over and over, which would bring me to a screen to Update the OS, and no other choice. So, after we hung up, I went back and tapped on Start Again, which wiped everything off and you start over. When I started the process again, I skipped the part where you download apps etc. Then it finally went through and did not try to update the OS. I now have a working iPhone and I am manually downloading my apps. The Apple apps were there when I finished. I will try to update the OS next week after Apple fixes whatever is wrong with the download process. Good luck.

I had the same problem yesterday setting up my new iPhone 15 PRO. I was on the phone with Apple Tech Support and they had me doing the same thing over and over, which would bring me to a screen to Update the OS, and no other choice. And getting the same 1 second remaining forever. So, after we hung up, I went back and tapped on Start Again, which wiped everything off and you start over. When I started the process again, I skipped the part where you download apps etc. Then it finally went through and did not try to update the OS. I now have a working iPhone and I am manually downloading my apps. The Apple apps were there when I finished. I will try to update the OS next week after Apple fixes whatever is wrong with the download process. Good luck.

use itunes to do the update until apple figures out the issue.

I got around this update problem with my new 15 pro max, by running the update through itunes on my pc. I was able to get to fully update.

I had the same issue trying to install refurbished iPhone 13. I ended up setting the phone up as new and plugging into computer. I used computer to update to 17.4.1 firmware. This ended up working.

It appears that the update servers are pathetically slow, how in the world is this possible Apple?

Download is about 7.66 GB which is taking about an hour and I have a super fast internet and it's 10 PM.

On your iphone skip download from the cloud (backup), then continue with setup and in 2 minutes your phone will be up and running and working. Now find a mac or a PC (Via Apple Devices App) and once you use the apple cord to plug your phone to your computer the app will auto detect it. In the app go to update and it appears to be taking about 1 hour as of now. once it does that you could install the update and download from the cloud, I will go to bed and see if it finishes by morning.

Reset and erase phone keep esim, when you start the phone back up skip all the set up stuff you can get to the update and it works. Had the same issue yesterday got the 15 pro max got stuck on preparing to update, did that and finally worked.