The highest iOS update you can get at the time of writing this article is iOS 16.5. The iOS17 is still at the beta stage [we won’t recommend you update to the iOS17 yet]. So, before we even consider how to fix your iPhone stuck verifying update, you should always consider upgrading only to a standard version of the latest OS instead of the beta version as the beta versions are still in the testing stage.
The iPhone stuck verifying update or a frozen screen during the update is not always a soothing experience to go through, because you will not be able to do anything or access your iPhone at the moment until the update is completed or a rollback took place.
You might even struggle to turn it off. But then, something you must come to terms with is that the issue you are facing is usually caused by iOS glitches.
It could be a bad software update such as a beta update, a lack of storage, or even a poor network. However, there are a few things I want you to take a look at and ensure are in place before you proceed with the update.
What to do before Updating your iOS version
It is not enough to just press the update button and wait for your iOS to update; you have to ensure a few things are in place before you go through this process to ensure you are not fixing issues at the end.
In fact, you might have to reset your iPhone or clear your files if you don’t thread the update process with caution.
Below are the things you should put in place before updating your iOS device.
Ensure your iPhone is fully charged
To avoid any potential issues, it is important to make sure your iPhone is sufficiently charged ahead of any updates. This can easily be overlooked, but it is essential in order for the updating process to complete without interruption.
Confirm Wi-Fi Connection
Ensure your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network for a smooth updating process. If the connection is weak, you are likely to run into difficulties when attempting to verify the iOS 16 update.
Verify Adequate iPhone Storage
When updating, whether from an app or software, storage is a key factor. If you are running low, you will be unable to update and may become stuck in the process. To check your available space, go to Settings >> General >> About >> Available.
Create a Backup
Creating a backup can come in handy if problems arise during the updating process. This will help to ensure that your data remains intact and can be recovered if necessary.
The cautions above might not be necessary but they can save you from losing all your data if your iPhone is stuck on the verifying update page. All this takes a few minutes to accomplish which is better than resetting your iPhone to the default or factory settings.
How to Fix iPhone Stuck Verifying Update
Facing an issue such as Apple iPhone being stuck verifying update for the first time can be quite daunting. However, It is not something that should give you unnecessary worries, as there are proven troubleshooting steps you can take to quickly fix it in no time.
You might have tried two of among fixes; however, I’ll be going over eight troubleshooting fixes, so keep reading to try out all the steps you might not have come across in order to fix your iPhone issue.
1. Lock and Wake Up Your iPhone.
As simple as it might sound, it could resolve your iPhone’s stuck verifying update issues. All you need to do here is lock your iPhone and wake it up.
It does nothing exceptional other than wake up your iPhone, but it could work if it is a minor issue.
Here is how you should go about it:
- Press the Power button on the side or top to lock your iDevice.
- Now wake it up again.
- Repeat the process of locking and waking your device 5–10 times before quitting.
2. Force Restart iPhone
This step over here should fix the issues in no time. What a force restart does is it clears all applications, and it powers your iPhone off. Once you restart it. All former operations that were working in the background along with stored caches before will be closed.
It does not come with data loss risk, and it is extremely easy to do.
This is how you would go about it.
For iPhone 8/X and Later
- Press and quickly release the Volume UP button
- Next, press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold down the SIDE button until an Apple logo appears. Now release the SIDE button.
- This can take up to 20 seconds.
NB: Do NOT release the side button when invited to Slide the power off.
For iPhone 7/7 Plus
- Press the power/lock key.
- Simultaneously press the volume-down button.
- Release both keys when the Apple logo appears on the screen.
For iPhone 6/6s/SE
- Press the Home and Power buttons at the same time.
- Hold both buttons until you see the Apple logo.
- Release both buttons.
- Wait until the restarting process is finished.
3. Restart the iOS Update Process (Data Loss Risk)
If your iOS is stuck showing an annoying update verifying screen, another method you can use to fix this is by deleting the iOS update.
But before doing this, ensure that your iPhone is set to perform an update based on the advice I gave above, and then download the update again.
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Here are the steps you should follow to go about that:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- You will be presented with a list of apps.
- Look for the iOS update in the list.
- Click on the iOS update to get the Delete Update option.
- Once you have deleted the iOS update, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Now, download the latest version of iOS.
4. You can Recover your iPhone By putting it in DFU Mode
Sometimes updating your iOS might not work, if you are facing a major software glitch, that does not mean there is nothing you can do.
Basically, you can get your iPhone back by putting it in DFU mode. If you haven’t done that before, here’s how you can go about it:
- Get a USB cable to link your iPhone and PC.
- Start iTunes and press and hold the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons for 10 seconds.
- Once the display is black, only release the Sleep/Wake button.
- Keep pressing the Home button until an iTunes message appears indicating that your iPhone has been detected in Recovery Mode.
5. Restore iPhone from iTunes Backup
Another way you can resolve your iPhone stuck verifying update, frozen screen is by restoring your iPhone from your iTunes backup. This way, you can get rid of your iPhone’s stuck verifying update issue.
If you’ve never done it before, here’s how you can go about it:
- Open iTunes on your PC.
- Connect your iPhone to your PC.
- Choose your device in iTunes.
- Select the Restore Backup option.
- Check the date and size of each backup to select the most recent one.
- Tap on Restore.
- 7. Wait for the restoration process to finish.
6. Update the iPhone via iTunes
Since you’ve tried updating your iPhone right from your device and you’re still waiting for the very latest update, which isn’t moving anywhere, Another way you can go about this is by updating it via iTunes.
If you want to try these steps, ensure you’ve prepared yourself by following the tips I gave above before proceeding with this.
Once you’ve done that, here is how you can go about it:
- Install the most recent version of iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone.
- Launch iTunes and select your device.
- Navigate to the Summary tab, then click on Search for Updates.
- Choose Download and Update.
- Confirm this selection; this will initiate the updating of your device.
It is very rare that you will go through all the steps I’ve listed above and still get stuck with that iPhone’s very recent update message on your smartphone.
Another step you can take is to install the Tenorshare software on your PC and connect it to your iPhone to fix any iOS issues you might be having.
It is free to use, and you don’t need to worry about losing it.
Here is how you should go about it:
Recommended: How to backup an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo
- Download TenorShare to your computer.
- Open ReiBoot on your computer.
- Plug in your iPhone with a USB cable.
- Press the Start button for a regular repair.
- Read the notice and select Standard Repair.
- Install the firmware package.
- Tap ‘Start Standard Repair’ to initiate system repairs.
- Allow the iOS device to turn on automatically without any data being lost.
Contact Apple Support.
If none of the troubleshooting techniques listed above did anything to resolve your iPhone’s very update issues. You need to take your iPhone to the nearest Apple shop.
You can also take it to a repair shop if you have one close by. However, you can save yourself some dollars by taking it to an Apple shop if you still have a warranty on your iPhone.
Conclusion
Fixing an iPhone stuck verifying issue can be quite daunting, but if you were able to successfully without losing data you need to consider yourself lucky. Ensure that your device security is always free and regularly back up your device to avoid running into this issue again.
If, however, it doesn’t work for you, which is a rare case, feel free to drop your complaints below.