How to resolve the spinning wheel issue on iPhone 17 Pro Max with iOS 26.2?

I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I've been experiencing a spinning wheel problem for the past few weeks. I use iOS 26.2, which is the most recent version.

Please, Apple, fix it.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Spinning wheel problem

iPad Air, iPadOS 26

Posted on Jan 17, 2026 7:04 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 18, 2026 12:29 AM

Suppose you are experiencing a perpetual loading circle or spinning wheel on the status bar of your iPhone. In that case, it typically indicates that the device is processing a task or experiencing system activity.


Here are a few suggestions to address the issue:


  1. Sometimes, the spinning wheel appears temporarily as the iPhone performs background tasks, such as syncing data, downloading updates, or indexing files. In such cases, it's best to allow the device to finish the task. If the spinning wheel persists for an extended period, proceed to the next steps.
  2. A specific app may be causing the perpetual loading circle. Try force-closing the app by double-clicking the home button (or swiping up from the bottom on iPhone models without a home button) to access the app switcher. Then, swipe up on the problematic app's preview to close it. Check if the spinning wheel disappears after closing the app. Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch
  3. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn OFF, Background App Refresh --> Switch apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
  4. Location Services > Which app is using the "Location services" as Always and was used recently? Avoid Always.
  5. Check if the iPhone is backing up on iCloud.
  6. Check if the iPhone syncing with Mac/PC over WiFi. --> Sync iTunes content on PC with devices on Wi-Fi
  7. Restart your iPhone: Performing a restart can often resolve temporary glitches or issues.
    1. Restart the device. That's it.
    2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  8. Ensure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Go to the "Settings" app, tap on "General," and select "Software Update." If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it. Updating the software may help resolve any underlying issues causing the perpetual loading circle.
  9. If the issue persists, you can try resetting your iPhone's network settings. Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.
    1. When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
    2. To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or Remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
    3. To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
    4. Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.


If none of these steps resolve the issue, it's advisable to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance. They can provide additional troubleshooting guidance or recommend further actions to address the perpetual loading circle on your iPhone.



4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 18, 2026 12:29 AM in response to Rubel0512

Suppose you are experiencing a perpetual loading circle or spinning wheel on the status bar of your iPhone. In that case, it typically indicates that the device is processing a task or experiencing system activity.


Here are a few suggestions to address the issue:


  1. Sometimes, the spinning wheel appears temporarily as the iPhone performs background tasks, such as syncing data, downloading updates, or indexing files. In such cases, it's best to allow the device to finish the task. If the spinning wheel persists for an extended period, proceed to the next steps.
  2. A specific app may be causing the perpetual loading circle. Try force-closing the app by double-clicking the home button (or swiping up from the bottom on iPhone models without a home button) to access the app switcher. Then, swipe up on the problematic app's preview to close it. Check if the spinning wheel disappears after closing the app. Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch
  3. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn OFF, Background App Refresh --> Switch apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
  4. Location Services > Which app is using the "Location services" as Always and was used recently? Avoid Always.
  5. Check if the iPhone is backing up on iCloud.
  6. Check if the iPhone syncing with Mac/PC over WiFi. --> Sync iTunes content on PC with devices on Wi-Fi
  7. Restart your iPhone: Performing a restart can often resolve temporary glitches or issues.
    1. Restart the device. That's it.
    2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  8. Ensure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Go to the "Settings" app, tap on "General," and select "Software Update." If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it. Updating the software may help resolve any underlying issues causing the perpetual loading circle.
  9. If the issue persists, you can try resetting your iPhone's network settings. Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.
    1. When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
    2. To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or Remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
    3. To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
    4. Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.


If none of these steps resolve the issue, it's advisable to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance. They can provide additional troubleshooting guidance or recommend further actions to address the perpetual loading circle on your iPhone.



Jan 17, 2026 11:26 PM in response to Rubel0512

How to resolve the spinning wheel issue on iPhone 17 Pro Max with iOS 26.2?: I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I've been experiencing a spinning wheel problem for the past few weeks. I use iOS 26.2, which is the most recent version. Please, Apple, fix it.

———-



Provide More on the Spinning Wheel:


Under what Circumstance Does this Occur:

This seems to be circumstantial:

  • Is this intermittent?
  • Does it occur at certain times?
  • Does it occur in certain apps?


Report this to Apple:

Do your Part: Provide Apple with feedback on this, letting them know about this issue. These are just user-to-user forums. You are not speaking with Appel here. Apple may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what is occurring, and what bug fixes to include in updates to come. Apple will know nothing of this, if you don't report it to them.

  1. Go Here: Feedback - iPhone - Apple
  2. Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
  3. Comment: on when this all began, and how you’ve troubleshoot, thus far. Include the URL of this thread.
  4. Proceed from there as necessary

Jan 17, 2026 11:31 PM in response to Rubel0512

Seems you have a Lagging iPhone....


A. So, see if anything here helps:






B. Clear "System Data":

Clear the storage named "System Data". It basically contains unnecessary files such as caches that are used for system ease of use - all of which gather over time. Use my User Tip:  How to Clear "System Data" in your iPhone's Storage: - User Tip

Jan 17, 2026 8:06 PM in response to Rubel0512

Rubel0512 wrote:

I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I've been experiencing a spinning wheel problem for the past few weeks. I use iOS 26.2, which is the most recent version.
Please, Apple, fix it.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Spinning wheel problem

Apple isn't here. This is a user to user only forum and no one from Apple participates, nor reads posts on this forum for feedback. What spinning wheel are you referring to? You need provide more information if you want any users to try to help you. I'm not having any issues with iOS 26.2. You seem to assume because you may be having an issue, everyone else is. Expecting an update, which fixes something only you may have isn't a great solution.

How to resolve the spinning wheel issue on iPhone 17 Pro Max with iOS 26.2?

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