ios 18 update never completes on brand new ipad

If the process has stalled, you have no alternative than to perform a forced restart of your iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

When performing initial setup and/or a system software update, you would be best advised to keep the iPad connected to its Power Adapter throughout the process. Keeping an external power-source connected will keep the iPad's WiFi radio active.

kimba112 wrote:

I am having the same issue. Purchased a brand new iPad 10th generation and am trying to set it up (transferring data & settings from my iPad 9th gen), but it has been stuck on the software update screen for hours. Downloaded the update with no issues, but now stuck at install and no end in sight. Both devices are now sitting there, unable to be used with a spinning update icon.

If the process has stalled, you have no alternative than to perform a forced restart of your iPads:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

When performing initial setup and/or a system software update, you would be best advised to keep the iPad connected to its Power Adapter throughout the process. Keeping an external power-source connected will keep the iPad's WiFi radio active.

Call Apple Support

I lost everything after downloading. Make an appointment with the Apple Store, they fixed my problem but make sure you stay with them until your IPad is 1000

percent complete. It will take about an hour, DON’T LEAVE THE Store until your IPad is totally complimented and they tell you that there is nothing left to do except, get told it’s like BRAND NEW!!!!

Good Luck 🌻😋🌻

Did you try rebooting it?

I am having the same issue. Purchased a brand new iPad 10th generation and am trying to set it up (transferring data & settings from my iPad 9th gen), but it has been stuck on the software update screen for hours. Downloaded the update with no issues, but now stuck at install and no end in sight. Both devices are now sitting there, unable to be used with a spinning update icon. Any help would be wonderful. This is the second time I have attempted to set up the iPad 10th gen in the past 24 hours; I decided to start again when the first attempt took 8hrs. I have a solid connection and fast internet speeds, both devices are fully charged and the iPad I am transferring data & settings from is logged in to iCloud, plugged in to power and has the VPN disconnected. I am baffled and assume it is a software issue.