Having your iPhone stuck on the Apple logo can be very frustrating. The good news is that there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to get your iPhone working again.
Quick Fixes to Try
If your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo, here are some quick things to try first:
- Force restart your iPhone – Press and hold the Power and Home buttons together for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo appear.
- Hard reset your iPhone – Press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
- Charge your iPhone – Try connecting your iPhone to a charger and letting it charge for at least 10 minutes.
- Check for a software update – Connect your iPhone to WiFi and check for any available iOS software updates.
Often times, these simple steps may be enough to get your iPhone back up and running. If the problem persists, then move on to trying some more in-depth troubleshooting methods.
Force Restart Your iPhone
One of the first things to try when your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo is to force restart it. Here’s how:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button at the same time.
- Keep holding the buttons until you see the Apple logo appear.
- After the Apple logo shows up, release the buttons.
- Allow your iPhone to finish the reboot process, which may take 30 seconds or longer.
Force restarting your iPhone essentially performs a hard reset on the device, which can clear any temporary software glitches that are preventing your phone from booting up properly. It’s a simple trick that often gets an iPhone past the Apple logo startup screen.
Reset All Settings
If force restarting doesn’t work, resetting all settings may help. Here’s what to do:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap on Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Confirm that you want to reset all settings.
This will reset all device settings back to factory defaults, but won’t delete any data or media files. Resetting to the original settings can help resolve any software conflicts that may be preventing the phone from booting up properly.
Update or Restore iOS Software
An outdated or corrupt iOS system software could also cause your iPhone to get stuck on the Apple logo. Here are two options to update and restore the software:
Update iOS Software
- Connect your iPhone to WiFi.
- Plug your iPhone into power if the battery is low.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
Updating to the latest iOS version can help resolve bugs and other issues that may be affecting system performance.
Restore iOS Using iTunes
- Download the latest version of iTunes on a computer.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open iTunes. Select your iPhone when it appears in iTunes.
- Click Summary > Restore iPhone. This will reinstall the latest iOS version.
Restoring iOS will wipe your iPhone and reinstall a fresh copy of the operating system. Before restoring, make sure to backup your iPhone data to iCloud or iTunes.
Check for Hardware Damage
In some cases, a hardware problem could be the reason an iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo at startup. Here are some things to inspect:
- Screen damage – Cracked or broken screens can prevent an iPhone from completing the boot process. Inspect the screen for any visible cracks or dead pixels.
- Battery issues – An old or swollen battery that is failing to hold a proper charge could cause startup issues. Check the battery health in Settings.
- Water damage – Liquid getting inside the iPhone can short circuit components and prevent booting. Look for moisture indicators inside the SIM card slot.
- Drop damage – Physical trauma from dropping can knock components loose inside the iPhone. Carefully check the exterior for dents and damage.
If you suspect hardware damage, you may need to take your iPhone to an Apple store or repair shop for servicing. A technician can open up the device and diagnose any issues with the display, battery, logic board, etc.
Put Your iPhone Into Recovery Mode
As a last resort, you can attempt to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode and restore it from there. Here are the steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- Your iPhone will now be in Recovery Mode. Proceed to restore iOS in iTunes.
Recovery Mode bypasses the normal iPhone startup sequence. From there, you can restore your device to factory settings and hopefully get it working again after the restore completes.
Get Your iPhone Repaired
If all else fails, your best option may be to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized service provider for repair. A technician will be able to diagnose the specific hardware issue and replace any faulty components that are causing the device to get stuck on the Apple logo.
Potential issues that may require repair include:
- Display or backlight failure
- Power button failure
- Battery replacement
- Logic board failure
- Bad cable or connector
Repair costs will vary depending on your iPhone model and any damage to the device. AppleCare+ can help reduce repair costs if you have it. Without warranty coverage, screen or battery replacements typically start around $100 USD.
Prevent Your iPhone From Freezing
To help prevent your iPhone from freezing on the Apple logo in the future, here are some tips:
- Keep your iPhone software up to date
- Avoid exposing iPhone to excess heat or cold
- Don’t overload device storage capacity
- Use a sturdy case and screen protector
- Avoid getting iPhone wet
- Be careful not to drop or damage the device
- Maintain at least 50% battery charge
Regularly backing up your iPhone data provides peace of mind if you ever need to restore your device. Overall, treat your iPhone with care to help extend its lifespan and performance.
Conclusion
An iPhone stuck on the Apple logo can often be fixed by troubleshooting solutions like force restarting, resetting device settings, updating iOS software, or restoring your iPhone. Hardware damage may require professional repair. Prevention tips include software updates, avoiding temperature extremes, preventing drops, and maintaining adequate battery charge. Back up your data regularly so it’s protected if you ever need to restore your iPhone to factory settings.