New iPhone stuck on Hello screen after failed data transfer + iOS update

I was setting up my new iPhone 16 and doing the data transfer from my old one. Midway through, the old phone said the transfer was canceled, but the new phone still let me continue setup. Then it made me update to iOS 26. I downloaded the update, tapped install, but after ~10 minutes it was stuck on the updating screen and didn’t seem to be progressing.


I shut it down and restarted it, but now it’s stuck on the “Hello” screen. When I swipe up, the passcode screen flashes for half a second and then it goes right back to “Hello.” If I try to shut it down, the screen goes black, a cogwheel briefly appears, and then it’s back to the Hello screen again.


Is there any way to fix this? I’m worried I messed something up.

iPhone 13, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 1, 2025 6:16 PM

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Posted on Oct 1, 2025 6:23 PM

Yep. You messed it up. The update takes time. You killed it before it finished.


Put the phone into recovery mode and restore iOS using your computer. Then you can start over with the transfer and setup.


If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch - Apple Support


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New iPhone stuck on Hello screen after failed data transfer + iOS update

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