Itunes update of iphone to IOS 18.3 stuck

Thank you so much, you're a life saver.

I had this exact problem. Tried updating to 18.3 it caused my phone to freeze. Had to enter DFU and recovery mode. Tried the Windows iTunes and it was doing this loop for me as well. Just tried what you suggested and downloaded the one from the website and it worked. Now I'm finally back in my phone. I also noticed they have different path locations as well. Thanks so much.

[Edited by Moderator]

The problem was that I used a Microsoft store itunes. I uninstalled and downloaded it outside of Microsoft store and it worked.

link for the itunes app not from microsoft store

https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64

the apple thread where i found the link

Download itunes without Microsoft Store - Apple Community

If you are missing backups it’s in a different folder. The same problem and has a backup that doesn't show up, check this1 

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/467955/itunes-backup-not-showing-up-anymore-in-itunes

There are two different versions of iTunes, one directly downloaded from Apple and one from the Microsoft store. The two different versions store iOS backups in two different places.

• ⁠%appdata%\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup for the direct-from-Apple version

• ⁠%userprofile%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup for the Microsoft store version

You may want to try closing iTunes and then moving the folder for that backup from the first folder to the second (maybe copy it if drive space allows just to be safe). Reopen iTunes and see if the backup appears now. The installer for iTunes is supposed to handle relocating the backups, but often doesn't.

I initially had iTunes installed via the Microsoft Store. Upon seeing your post I uninstalled it, restarted the PC, then installed iTunes from your link. Tried to repair using the update option but still stalled at the same point and would not respond to any force restart key combinations. I eventually had to go the nuclear route and boot the device to DFU mode. From there, did a factory restore via iTunes and this time it was able to complete and boot into iOS. Thankfully iTunes did a backup before the initial update attempt so I was able to then restore from backup using the Apple Devices application Lawrence recommended.

A hectic 10 hours but at least everything is fully recovered and now on 18.3. Unfortunately not out of the woods yet since after restoring from backup, iTunes won't recognize the phone. Apple Devices does but if I try to view Music from the "on my device tab" to import back my library, I just get an "unknown error" message.

So it eventually ran out of battery overnight. Plugged it in the morning and it started charging. Eventually it prompted the device to be connected for recovery and I followed the instructions for recovery: If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch - Apple Support (CA). I was able to restart the phone using that key combination and used the Apple Devices you recommended to try the update again. Unfortunately, the same thing happened. Once the status bar showed up, it froze shortly into the update (pressing power doesn't show the "Update in progress" message and it no longer responds to commands to restart.

What causes have you discounted? As you say iTunes, I assume it is Windows, not Mac. Thus:

• Plug in directly to the PC, not a USB hub
• Verify that you have the latest version of iTunes (https://itunes.com)
• Better yet, if you have Windows 11, get the Apple Devices App from the Microsoft Store instead of using iTunes
• Reboot your PC, then disable any antivirus, firewall, or VPN

Hit this button sequence up volume, down volume, press and hold power button until it turns off do the sequence kinda quick.. then download the iTunes from the link I posted and try software update again.

Did you uninstall the iTunes from the Microsoft store and installed the iTunes from the link I provided? Once installed press they key combination once the phone restarts connect it hold down the buttons the update software should start downloading and install successfully I tried this way with the following iPhones: XR,13,14,and 15 all worked successfully no issues. All phones was stuck at the loading bar before.

My device is currently stuck in this state. iTunes was doing the backup in preparation for the update and I walked away. When I came back, iTunes closed itself and the progress bar on the phone has been stuck at a small percentage for over an hour.

Tried doing a force reset and it won't respond either. What else should I try apart from letting the battery die?

If your iPhone won't turn on or is frozen - Apple Support

Thankfully I located the backup iTunes created... so I'm backing that up somewhere else as well in case the switch from the Microsoft Store iTunes to an installation direct from Apple wipes the original location.

I had a very similar issue that killed 2 of my iPads. However, I don't have access to a Windows PC to try the iTunes downloaded from Apple directly. I only have a MAC and it has Finder, not iTunes.

iPadOS 18.3.1 killed 2 iPads - Apple Community

Rickeroo wrote:

I had a very similar issue that killed 2 of my iPads. However, I don't have access to a Windows PC to try the iTunes downloaded from Apple directly. I only have a MAC and it has Finder, not iTunes.

iPadOS 18.3.1 killed 2 iPads - Apple Community

Well, you can use Finder, and it is actually better than Windows with iTunes.

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the Finder - Apple Support

👍

Great information! Thanks. I’ll share your post with other user team members.

The link you posted with ALWAYS work if done correctly, unless your device has a hardware problem.