5 Ways to Fix an iPhone Update Stuck on Install Now

User Concern

“New iPhone 14, doing the transfer, and it wants to upgrade to iOS 17.3.1. I pressed the Install Now button and got the spinning wheel of doom; nothing else was happening. How do I get past this stage?”

You set up a new iPhone but get your iPhone update stuck on install now? Then you wonder what has happened to your iPhone and how to fix it. Even though Apple strives to have no or few bugs in its iOS updates, these kind of update errors still occur.

It happens when you try to transfer data and update the iOS system of the new iPhone; the process stays in the "install now" mode for too long. You can’t use your iPhone in this state and may be forced to cancel the iOS update. Don't worry; we will explain the cause of the iOS update stuck on install now and how to fix it correctly.

Why Is iOS 17 Update Stuck on Install Now?

A number of things, including an Internet connection, low battery, or insufficient storage, could be the reason for an iPhone stuck on the install now screen.

Internet Connection

The major requirement for iOS update is strong internet connectivity. You will need a stable internet connection to complete the software update process smoothly. If the internet connection is unstable, it will result in an iOS update stuck on install now error.

Low Battery

Another known cause of this update error is the low battery percentage. The device will not install the updates if your battery has been drained during the data transfer and is below 50%.

Insufficient Storage

If your iPhone is running out of storage, you will likely get an iOS update stuck on the install now screen. Maybe you’ve transferred a lot of data from your old phone, and your storage capacity is running low. If you try to install the new iPhone update, the device will get stuck on the install now screen.

What to Do When iPhone Update Is Stuck on Install Now?

#1. Force Restart iPhone

The first thing you need to do is to force start your iPhone. Just as there are different models of iPhone, so are the different ways of force-starting them.

For iPhone 8 and above:

• Press the "Volume Up" button quickly, followed by the "Volume Down" button.
• Hold down the "Side" button on your iPhone until the screen turns off. The Apple logo will now appear on the screen.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus

• First, press and hold the "Side" button on the right side of your device.
• Then, press the "Volume Down" button with your finger still on the side button. As the Apple logo is displayed on the screen, release the buttons.

For iPhone 6s

• Press and hold the "Home" and "Power" buttons simultaneously.
• When the Apple logo appears on the screen, let go of the two buttons.

#2. Reset Network Settings

If the iOS update is stuck at the install now screen for a long time, this may be caused by a buffering network connection. To resume the installation, you may need to reset the network settings. Just follow these steps:

• First, tap Settings on your iPhone, then select General, followed by the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
• Then, choose Reset > Reset Network settings. After that, you can reconnect to the network and reinstall the updates.

#3. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

You can resolve the iPhone update stuck on install now issue by restoring your iPhone to factory settings. This translates to erasing all the data settings and installing them afresh. The following steps will restore your iPhone to factory settings.

• First, click on the Settings icon on your iPhone, then scroll down to General.
• Then, under the general settings page, scroll to the bottom and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Hit on Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, and you’ll be prompted to enter your iPhone's security passcode and confirm it.
• After confirming, the data will be erased, and you can now install your iPhone update as a new device.

#4. Complex Way to Restore iPhone with iTunes

Another way to fix any software glitches causing your iPhone update to get stuck on the install now problem is to restore your iPhone with iTunes. However, if you choose to use this method, make sure your data is backed up. This is because restoring your iPhone with iTunes will erase all the data installed and settings.

To restore your iPhone with iTunes, follow these simple steps:

• First, you need to connect your iPhone to a PC or a desktop. On the computer screen, open the iTunes app.
• Secondly, scroll to the Device app in the iTunes app, which is right in the top left corner.
• Then, click the Summary tab.
• After that, click on the Restore iPhone to restore your device. You can follow the instructions displayed to fully restore your device's software.

#5. The Ultimate Way to Fix iOS Update Stuck on Install Now

There is an ultimate way you can fix the iPhone stuck on install now without losing your data. You can use FoneGeek iOS System Recovery to fix any iOS-related issues. This is the best alternative to iTunes as it is easy and safe. Besides, it doesn’t erase your data like when you use iTunes or restore factory settings.

It is also very user-friendly and most of the time you can fix most iOS glitches, like the iPhone being stuck in a boot loop, recovery mode, or the Apple logo, etc.

Step 1: First, download and install the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery on your Windows or Mac computer. After setting up the application, select the “Standard mode” from the repair mode options displayed on the screen.

Step 2: Now, connect your iPhone to the PC using a USB cable. Then, press ‘Next’ on the screen.

Step 3: After that, you’ll need to download the required firmware for your device. Press the "Download" icon from the menu, and your device will verify and install the appropriate software version.

Step 4: After installing the correct firmware package, press "Fix Now." Then the iPhone will restart automatically and update to the latest iOS 17.

FAQs about iPhone Stuck on Install Now

Q1. How long does the iOS 17 update install take?

Installing iOS 17 could take between 20 to 40 minutes. You will need to download and install approximately a 5GB file, which might take quite some time. That said, the speed of the download and installation is determined by the stability and quality of your internet connection.

Q2. Can you skip updates on the new iPhone?

If you’ve been wondering whether you can skip a software update on your new iPhone, the answer is yes. However, be ready to download all the pending updates the next time you install a software update.

Q3. Can I cancel the iPhone update in progress?

There is no option to stop an update after it has started. But you can still stop an update in progress by activating the airplane mode. This is because airplane mode disconnects your internet connectivity and stops the iPhone update.

Conclusion

The iPhone update stuck on install now issue is not a rare occurrence. It can be caused by several factors, like busy servers, software errors, or inadequate memory.

But there are several solutions to the problem. You can use any of the solutions listed above, and your iPhone should be able to install the updates. You can also use FoneGeek iOS System Recovery to fix most system-related issues without data loss or jailbreaking your iPhone.