New phone stuck on software update during data transfer with old phone.

Hi everyone,


I bought a new phone and have been attempting a data transfer with my old phone (both iPhones 14). The old phone is IOS18.


The new phone is getting stuck on the software update to IOS18; I have waited three hours.


Am I doing something wrong?

Posted on Sep 20, 2024 9:02 AM

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Posted on Oct 11, 2024 1:49 PM

I should have included the fix! Sorry..

I tried to do the same as the OP, but I still got stuck when it attempted to load IOS 18.0. I got around the issue by setting up phone as new WITHOUT using my old phone. Then I was able to update to IOS, and FINALLY downloaded my Backup from iCloud and that fixed the issue. what a Hassle…I was On-Call for work and missed an important message. Everything turned out okay in the end, but was not easy or fun. Hope that helps someone!

53 replies

Nov 14, 2024 12:33 AM in response to Skipladyy

I'm having the exact same issue. Tried to do a backup and IOS update while connected to my laptop (Windows + Apple Devices). The phone got stuck during the update and I literally tried every possible method I could find but nothing worked. When I tried to do a factory reset the only option was "reset +update" and ofc that didn't work. Even called support and they were like "yeah it might be time for a new phone."


I eventually bought a new iphone, plugged it in into my computer to transfer data and guess what? THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. The new phone froze during the update and now I don't have a phone and I'm out whatever money I spent on the new one! Glad to see I'm not the only one experiencing this. I'm seriously thinking about giving up on the whole Apple thing. The new phone is currently in service so who knows what's gonna happen.

Nov 14, 2024 6:14 PM in response to Skipladyy

I’m experiencing this same thing. Hey Apple stop forcing an upgrade to (now 18.1) while transferring from old phone id that doesn’t work!!! Software can easily be upgraded later. I thought a workaround would be to upgrade the old phone first m, thinking surely Apple wasn’t forcing a software upgrade if you already have it, but of course they are. APPLE IS FORCING YOU TO DO A STEP THAT WONT WORK. WHICH GENIUS DID THIS?

Nov 17, 2024 3:28 PM in response to Skipladyy

Just to push this thread up: my "Me Too" and a big "Booooh" to Apple for messing this up. We've alle been patiently and trustfully spending a couple of hours on expecting Apple to have our back, but it seems I've spent an evening for nothing, tinkering my new iPhone, trying to easily and effortlessly migrate from the older to the newer one (like usual). But nope, it's not working like that this time.


Hope they'll straighten this out really quickly, for all the other migrating iPhone users.

Nov 17, 2024 4:06 PM in response to Skipladyy

Well, to add insult to injury: as I hurried to get my new iPhone prepare itself to install the new iOS version, I just said "yes" and "no" or "not now" to a plethora of start-up questions, knowing that I would wipe them clean again with the migration, after that long awaited update. Unfortunately, it seems that several options like Find My and associated nifty security measures make it quite hard to just reset an iPhone.


So now I have to wait for a so-called cool-down period of an hour, before I can finally release the protection against stolen iPhones and switch off "Find My iPhone" and wipe all existing apps and data to eventually start the migrate procedure...


Don't get me wrong: I think Apple is very clever in implementing all kinds of security measures. But when things don't work as expected, any hacks or work-arounds are tough, making your misery even tougher. :-(

Nov 22, 2024 2:24 PM in response to Skipladyy

Mine had another twist added to this unusual pattern of problems that have occurred.   I read all that was written by this terrific community. And meticulously planned my new strategy to circumvent this trend.

My previous IPhone was a ‘ten’ year old 6 Plus.     And-So, I took extreme measures to make sure I wouldn’t also be one of the fallen brothers that had succumbed to this mysterious condition.  

I opened my new iPhone 16 ProMax with delight and started my new phone with no transfer of previous data.

  I updated with IOS 18 .  I waited ten days.

  Then I slowly installed my previous iPhone 6 over the next 3 days and waited.  After 3 more days my wait was over.      


I received a new message in my battery settings. That my Locked Screen will not be functioning correctly until my old data has been evaluated and introduced to the new IOS 18 update.

  I waited 3 weeks as my battery was discharged every day as this IPhone 6, IOS 12, data was being processed.  

And the battery warning and locked screen battery discharge continued.

  And so, my journey is also over for me.  

I also have joined the rest of you.  Had to ERASE & reset my iPhone 16 and completely reinstall it again.  

   The battery message disappeared.   THE END.


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New phone stuck on software update during data transfer with old phone.

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