iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update? Here’s How to Fix It!

Updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version is usually a smooth process. However, sometimes things go wrong, and you might find your iPhone stuck on the dreaded “Verifying Update” screen. This can be frustrating, leaving you unable to use your device. But don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through various solutions to get your iPhone unstuck and back to normal.

Why is My iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update?

Before diving into the solutions, it’s helpful to understand why your iPhone might be stuck verifying the update. Several factors can contribute to this issue:

* **Network Connectivity Issues:** A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection is the most common culprit. The verification process requires a stable internet connection to communicate with Apple’s servers.
* **Apple Server Problems:** Occasionally, Apple’s servers might experience outages or heavy traffic, preventing your iPhone from properly verifying the update.
* **Insufficient Storage Space:** If your iPhone is running low on storage, it might not have enough space to complete the verification process.
* **Corrupted Update File:** The downloaded update file might be corrupted during the download process, causing verification to fail.
* **Software Glitches:** Underlying software glitches or bugs on your iPhone can sometimes interfere with the update process.
* **Low Battery:** Although less common, a very low battery can interrupt the update process, especially if it’s a major update.

Troubleshooting Steps: From Simple to Advanced

Now, let’s explore a range of troubleshooting steps, starting with the simplest and progressing to more advanced solutions. Remember to try these steps in order, checking if the problem is resolved after each one.

1. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

As mentioned earlier, a stable Wi-Fi connection is crucial. Here’s how to ensure your Wi-Fi is working correctly:

* **Check your Wi-Fi signal strength:** Look at the Wi-Fi icon in the status bar of your iPhone. If the signal is weak (only one or two bars), move closer to your router.
* **Test your internet connection:** Open a web browser (like Safari) and try to visit a website. If the website doesn’t load, your internet connection might be down.
* **Restart your Wi-Fi router:** Unplug your Wi-Fi router from the power outlet, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. Allow the router to fully restart and reconnect to the internet.
* **Forget and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network:** Go to **Settings > Wi-Fi**, tap the “i” icon next to your Wi-Fi network name, and select “Forget This Network.” Then, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network by entering your password.
* **Try a different Wi-Fi network:** If possible, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network to see if the issue persists. This will help determine if the problem is with your Wi-Fi network or your iPhone.

2. Check Apple’s System Status Page

Before spending too much time troubleshooting, it’s worth checking Apple’s System Status page to see if there are any known outages or issues with their servers. Here’s how:

* **Visit the Apple System Status page:** Open a web browser on another device (computer, tablet, or another phone) and go to [https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/](https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/).
* **Look for issues related to iOS Software Update:** On the System Status page, look for any services related to “iOS Software Update.” If there’s a green dot next to it, the service is working normally. If there’s a yellow or red indicator, it means there’s an issue. If there is an issue, you might just need to wait until Apple resolves the problem before trying to update again.

3. Free Up Storage Space on Your iPhone

Insufficient storage space can prevent your iPhone from verifying the update. Here’s how to check your storage space and free up some space if needed:

* **Check your iPhone storage:** Go to **Settings > General > iPhone Storage.**
* **Review your storage usage:** The iPhone Storage screen will show you a breakdown of how your storage is being used by different apps and categories (Photos, Messages, Apps, etc.).
* **Offload Unused Apps:** iOS offers a feature called “Offload Unused Apps,” which automatically removes apps that you haven’t used in a while but keeps their data so you can easily reinstall them later. To enable this feature, go to **Settings > General > iPhone Storage** and tap “Enable” next to “Offload Unused Apps.”
* **Delete unnecessary apps:** Identify apps that you no longer use or need and delete them. To delete an app, touch and hold its icon on the Home Screen until it jiggles, then tap the “X” in the corner and confirm the deletion.
* **Delete large files:** Delete large files like videos, photos, and documents that you no longer need. Go to the relevant apps (Photos, Files, etc.) and delete the files.
* **Clear browser cache and history:** Clear the cache and history of your web browser (Safari or Chrome) to free up some space. In Safari, go to **Settings > Safari** and tap “Clear History and Website Data.” In Chrome, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner, then tap **Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.**
* **Delete old messages:** If you have a lot of old messages, especially with attachments, deleting them can free up significant storage space. In the Messages app, you can delete individual conversations or delete individual messages within a conversation.

4. Force Restart Your iPhone

A force restart (also known as a hard reset) can often resolve minor software glitches that might be causing the “Verifying Update” issue. The method for force restarting your iPhone varies depending on the model:

* **iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation):**
1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button (power button) until you see the Apple logo.
* **iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:**
1. Press and hold both the Side button (power button) and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
2. Continue holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo.
* **iPhone 6s and earlier (including iPhone SE 1st generation):**
1. Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button (power button) simultaneously.
2. Continue holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo.

After the iPhone restarts, check if the update process has resumed. If not, proceed to the next step.

5. Delete the Update and Download it Again

The downloaded update file might be corrupted, causing the verification process to fail. Deleting the update and downloading it again can resolve this issue. Here’s how:

* **Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.**
* **Find the iOS update file:** Scroll down and look for the iOS update file in the list of apps. It will be labeled with the iOS version number (e.g., “iOS 16.5.1”).
* **Tap on the update file.**
* **Tap “Delete Update.”**
* **Confirm the deletion.**
* **Go to Settings > General > Software Update.**
* **Download and install the update again.**

Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection during the download process to prevent corruption.

6. Update via iTunes or Finder (Computer Required)

If you’re still stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen, you can try updating your iPhone using iTunes (on Windows or older macOS versions) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later). This method bypasses the over-the-air update process and can sometimes resolve the issue.

**Before you start:**

* **Back up your iPhone:** It’s always a good idea to back up your iPhone before performing any major software updates. You can back up your iPhone to iCloud or to your computer.
* **Install the latest version of iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS):** Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. You can download it from the Apple website.
* **Make sure your computer is trusted:** On your iPhone, if prompted with “Trust This Computer?” when you connect it to your computer, tap “Trust.” This is necessary for iTunes/Finder to communicate with your iPhone.

**Steps for updating via iTunes/Finder:**

1. **Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.**
2. **Open iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS) or Finder (if using macOS Catalina or later).**
3. **Locate your iPhone:**
* **In iTunes:** Your iPhone should appear in the left sidebar under “Devices.”
* **In Finder:** Your iPhone should appear in the left sidebar under “Locations.”
4. **Click on your iPhone’s name.**
5. **Click “Check for Update” (in iTunes) or “General” then “Check for Update” (in Finder).**
6. **Click “Download and Update.”**
7. **Follow the on-screen instructions.** You might be prompted to enter your passcode on your iPhone.

iTunes/Finder will download the update file and install it on your iPhone. This process might take some time, so be patient and make sure your iPhone remains connected to your computer until the update is complete.

7. Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode and Restore

If none of the above steps work, the next option is to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode and restore it. This process will erase all data from your iPhone, so it should be considered a last resort. **Make sure you have a recent backup of your iPhone before proceeding.**

**How to enter Recovery Mode:**

The steps for entering Recovery Mode vary depending on your iPhone model:

* **iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation):**
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS) or Finder (if using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
4. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
5. Press and hold the Side button (power button) until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a picture of a cable pointing to a computer).
* **iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:**
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS) or Finder (if using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Press and hold both the Side button (power button) and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
4. Continue holding both buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a picture of a cable pointing to a computer).
* **iPhone 6s and earlier (including iPhone SE 1st generation):**
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS) or Finder (if using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button (power button) simultaneously.
4. Continue holding both buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a picture of a cable pointing to a computer).

**Restoring your iPhone in Recovery Mode:**

1. **Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, iTunes/Finder will display a message saying that it has detected an iPhone in Recovery Mode.**
2. **You will be presented with two options: “Update” and “Restore.”**
* **Try “Update” first:** Clicking “Update” will attempt to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. If this works, you’re in luck! If not, you’ll need to proceed with “Restore.”
* **If “Update” fails, click “Restore.”:** Clicking “Restore” will erase all data from your iPhone and install the latest version of iOS. This process will take some time.
3. **Follow the on-screen instructions.** iTunes/Finder will download the iOS software and restore your iPhone.
4. **After the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and you will need to set it up as a new device or restore from a backup.** If you have a backup, choose to restore from your latest backup. Keep in mind that restoring from a very old backup might bring back the issue that caused the problem in the first place, so consider restoring from a recent one.

8. DFU Restore (The Most Extreme Option)

A DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore is the most extreme restoration method and should only be used as a last resort if Recovery Mode doesn’t work. A DFU restore completely erases your iPhone’s operating system and firmware, and then reinstalls them. **Like Recovery Mode, this will erase all data from your iPhone, so ensure you have a backup if possible.** It’s also more complicated than Recovery Mode and requires very precise timing. If you don’t follow the steps exactly, you might not enter DFU mode.

**How to enter DFU Mode:**

The steps for entering DFU mode are also device-specific and can be tricky.

* **iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation):**
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS) or Finder (if using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
4. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
5. Press and hold the Side button (power button) for 10 seconds.
6. While still holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
7. Release the Side button but continue holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
8. If the screen remains black, you have successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo or a screen asking you to connect to iTunes/Finder, you have not entered DFU mode and need to try again.
* **iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:**
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS) or Finder (if using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Press and hold both the Side button (power button) and the Volume Down button simultaneously for 10 seconds.
4. Release the Side button but continue holding the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
5. If the screen remains black, you have successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo or a screen asking you to connect to iTunes/Finder, you have not entered DFU mode and need to try again.
* **iPhone 6s and earlier (including iPhone SE 1st generation):**
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (if using Windows or older macOS) or Finder (if using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button (power button) simultaneously for 10 seconds.
4. Release the Side button but continue holding the Home button for another 5 seconds.
5. If the screen remains black, you have successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo or a screen asking you to connect to iTunes/Finder, you have not entered DFU mode and need to try again.

**Restoring your iPhone in DFU Mode:**

1. **Once your iPhone is in DFU Mode, iTunes/Finder will display a message saying that it has detected an iPhone in Recovery Mode (even though it’s in DFU mode).**
2. **Click “Restore.”:** Clicking “Restore” will erase all data from your iPhone and install the latest version of iOS.
3. **Follow the on-screen instructions.** iTunes/Finder will download the iOS software and restore your iPhone.
4. **After the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and you will need to set it up as a new device or restore from a backup.**

**Important Notes About DFU Restore:**

* DFU mode bypasses the bootloader, so it’s a deeper restore than Recovery Mode.
* Entering DFU mode can be tricky and might require multiple attempts.
* Make sure you follow the timing instructions precisely.
* If your iPhone doesn’t enter DFU mode, try the steps again, paying close attention to the timing.

9. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and your iPhone is still stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen, it’s time to contact Apple Support. There might be a hardware issue or a more complex software problem that requires professional assistance. You can contact Apple Support through their website, by phone, or by visiting an Apple Store.

Preventing Future “Verifying Update” Issues

Here are some tips to help prevent your iPhone from getting stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen in the future:

* **Ensure a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection:** Always update your iPhone over a reliable Wi-Fi network.
* **Free up storage space before updating:** Make sure you have enough free storage space on your iPhone before starting the update process.
* **Keep your iPhone charged:** Ensure your iPhone has sufficient battery life, ideally above 50%, before updating.
* **Back up your iPhone regularly:** Back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer regularly to prevent data loss in case of any issues.
* **Avoid beta software unless you’re comfortable troubleshooting:** Beta versions of iOS can be unstable and prone to issues. Unless you’re a developer or comfortable troubleshooting, it’s best to stick to the official releases.
* **Restart your iPhone periodically:** Restarting your iPhone periodically can help clear out temporary files and resolve minor software glitches.

Conclusion

Getting your iPhone stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen can be a frustrating experience. However, by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your iPhone back up and running. Remember to start with the simplest solutions and work your way up to the more advanced ones. And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to contact Apple Support for assistance. Good luck!