iPhone Stuck on "Preparing Update"? Here Are 5 Solutions

Sometimes, when trying to install the latest version of iOS, the process can get stuck on the "Preparing Update" screen. This can be frustrating as it can prolong a process that normally takes only a few minutes.

While there are several reasons why your iPhone might be stuck on "Preparing Update," this article will guide you through several solutions to fix an issue with both old and new iPhones being stuck on "Preparing Update" and help you continue updating your device smoothly.

Force Restart Your iPhone

Force restarting your iPhone is the first thing you should try to resolve being stuck on the "Preparing Update" screen. Follow these steps to force restart your iPhone:

For iPhone 8 or later, and iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation:

1. Press and release the volume up button, then press and release the volume down button.
2. Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus:

Press and hold the volume down button and the side button together until the Apple logo shows up.

For iPhone 6s or earlier:

Press and hold the Home button and the side button (or the top button for some models) until the Apple logo appears.

For New iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update: Skip Software Update When Setup

If the process of preparing update is on your new iPhone taking too long, you can skip the software update during setup after your iPhone restarts by skipping the data transfer step.

Step 1. Choose "Don't Transfer Apps & Data"

After your new iPhone restarts, choose "Don't Transfer Apps & Data" during setup to avoid being forced to update iOS. Here's how:

1. Start from the "Hello" screen and follow the setup steps.
2. When you get to the "Transfer Your Data & Apps" screen, choose "Don't Transfer Apps & Data."

Step 2. Update iOS in Settings

Once you're at the home screen of your new iPhone, update the iOS in the Settings app:

1. Plug your iPhone into a power source and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.
3. Tap Automatic Updates and ensure both Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates are enabled.

Step 3. Reset Your iPhone

After that, you'll need to reset the iPhone from the settings. To reset the iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap "General."
3. Select "Transfer or Reset iPhone," then choose "Reset."
4. Choose "Erase All Content and Settings" to reset the device and enter your passcode when prompted.

Step 4. Transfer Data to New iPhone

After erasing your iPhone, you can now transfer your apps and data using any method Apple provides.

For Old iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update: Delete the Previous Update File, and Try Again

If you are using an old iPhone and your device is stuck on preparing update from settings, do the following aftere your iPhone restarts before attempting to update the device again:

Step 1. Delete the Previous Update File

1. Open the Settings app, tap "General," and then select "iPhone Storage."
2. Find the iOS update file in the list of apps and tap on it.
3. Select "Delete Update" to remove the file from your device.

Step 2. Clear iPhone Storage

Before downloading the update again, ensure you have adequate storage space for the update file by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

If you don't have enough storage space, delete unnecessary apps or data to free up space for the update.

Step 3. Check the Network Connection

A poor network connection can interfere with the update process. Before attempting to update the device again, ensure the network is not the problem. You can try the following:

1. Connect the device to a different Wi-Fi network and test the connection by opening an app that requires internet access.
2. If the network is unreliable, try resetting the network settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Step 4. Try Again to Update iOS

Then reconnect to a network and go to Settings > General > Software Update to try again.

Update Your iPhone Using a Mac or Windows Computer

If the update is still getting stuck, try updating the device using your computer. Make sure you have a recent backup of your data on iCloud or on your computer before proceeding.

Here's how to update your device on your computer:

1. Open a Finder window on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later. If you are using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, or a Windows PC, open iTunes.
2. Connect the iPhone to the computer.
3. Click on the device in Finder or iTunes.
4. If you are using iTunes, click on "Check for Update" in the Summary tab. If you are using Finder, click on "General," then "Check for Update."
5. Click "Download and Update" and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Ultimate Solution: Fix iOS Stuck on Preparing Update Using iOS Repair Tool

If your device is still not updating and you want to avoid data loss, we recommend using TinyFix, iOS repair software designed to fix many problematic iOS issues, including a device stuck on "Preparing Update." It is easy to use, will update your iOS to the latest versioncan, and fix the stuck problem without affecting your data. Here's how:

Step 1. Download and install TinyFix on your computer.

Step 2. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer, launch TinyFix, and click "iOS System Repair" in the main window.

Step 3. Select "Standard Repair" option to fix the problem without losing your data.

Step 4. TinyFix will prompt you to download the latest firmware package for your device. Click "Download" to continue.

Step 5. Once the download is complete, click "Start" to start fixing your device. Keep your device connected until the repair process is complete, and your device will restart.

Conclusion

It is not uncommon for an iOS update to fail. Now you have several ways to fix an update that is stuck and successfully update your device. If you have any questions about the solutions above or any other iOS-related issues, feel free to let us know.