How to fix iPhone 16 Pro Max Stuck on Setup?

Me too,right after the successfully transfer of verizon phone number. had to turn off new phone and restart. Also would not re-connect to old phone to re-initiated install until I rebooted old phone.

Same for me. The transfer process froze immediately after the phone number transfer. Restarted the 16 Pro and am doing a transfer from iCloud backup instead of the Quick Start. I had many problems with Quick Start a couple of years ago with another model. Think I'll skip it in the future.

Thanks, chipotlecaleb, for addressing this. I had no idea whether the phone was stuck or if it was downloading data in the background. After about 30 minutes, I searched for help and your feedback to restart the phone worked perfectly. Once I turned the phone back on, it restarted the process, so I restarted my old phone too. Now I'm in good shape! Thank you!

Had the same exact issue, left it there for over an hour thinking it was doing something. I tried turning off the 16 Pro and it would not shut off… finally after many many attempts I got it to restart, the phone loaded and gave me a message saying set up had failed. I gave up after many attempts and decided to just create a new Apple ID (iCloud email) and set it up as a new phone however after doing so now Apple has restricted my account? Never had such an issue setting up a new Apple product. 👎

Same problem on iPhone 16 Pro. Was afraid to restart, but when I did everything was fine. Cellular portion was not redone and the setup continued with the next step. Maybe, I am in a really bad area for my cellular service and therefore some line of code timed out before the cell data could verify. 🤷

In case someone can’t get their new iPhone 16 pro to restart (this same issue happened with my dad’s but holding the power and up volume wouldn’t restart it) Apple support informed us that the new phone requires pressing the volume up quickly, then volume down quickly (no holding on those two) then holding down the power/wake button. That worked!!

So if you can’t get yours to restart try that. We then updated his previous phone’s software (not to iOS 18, just newest 17 version) and it worked and is transferring now.

For me old device ( 11 pro max to 16 pro max ) did complete the transfer but new device is still stuck. Thinking should wait for some more time than restarting again.

interesting is I can receive a call on new device so transfer must be in progress.

fyi, I updated ios on my old phone yesterday before attempting data transfer tonight, but I’m stuck on “cellular setup complete” screen just like everyone else here. Very frustrating, and I agree with you re: user experience.

I hope Apple is taking note of how many people are having to hunt down troubleshooting tips for this.

My iphone 16 is locked on screen when I tried to mirror the phone to the new watch series 10. I tried the power button and the volume up button but nothing happens. phone is totally frozen. what can I do?

Apple become a joke, The iPhone 16 does not pair and is frozen for so many apps, also no AI crazy money paying for $1599 iPhone 16. Chinese make so much better tech nowadays.

Apple should be a tech company but all tech is downgraded and glitching.

is that me just seeing those things wrong ?

Moving from 13 to 16 PRO. Got to the point where 16 PRO indicates it’s updating software, but the gear is not spinning and my WiFi is over 500 mbps, so it’s not a connectivity issue. I’ve restarted the 16 PRO and the 13 iOS is current. I’m stumped. If it sits for much longer I’ll call Apple support, but it’s definitely a disappointment that Apple could have this many people dealing with such issues opting their latest flagship phone.

I have solved it in the following way: After passing the information from the 15 pro max to the 16 pro max, the phone stayed on the "Hello" screen and did not let you enter the password or advance from that screen. The phone got hot and ran out of battery.

I put the phone in DFU mode (quickly pressing volume up, volume down and the power button. When the screen remains with the apple, continue pressing power and volume down until the apple and the cable appear).

once a DFU, I connected it to my laptop (windows) to the iTunes application until it recognized the phone (VERY IMPORTANT, the cable has to be of quality, otherwise the laptop does not recognize it or the process goes wrong (I I had to use 3 cables until one worked for me)) When it recognizes it, it gives the option to restore it. Restore it with the IOS default version that iTunes provides.

When you see that it turns on and works normally, configure it as a new phone, download the most current version of IOS that you want (betas included) and now click restore the new iPhone. When you reboot, you can copy the old one to the new one and it won't stay dead again. Luck.

New iPhone 16 Pro Max is stuck on hello screen and flashes the login screen when trying to unlock - it is also very hot. My line was already transferred from my 13 Pro Max, so I have been without a phone all day. Can my carrier even help with this or is this just a total and complete failure on Apple? I would also like to be able to talk to support, but even if I was able to complete a call, Apple doesn't seen to offer phone support.

I went into my carrier and they exchanged my phone for a new phone that was able to be setup successfully in the store. Very difficult process. They said a guy was in the night before with the same issue.

try my way here How to fix iPhone 16 Pro Max Stuck on Set… - Apple Community