"iPhone XR is stuck on the lock screen 'verifying update'. I can't even do a hard restart (toggle volume up, down, hold power button) because the screen is unresponsive and won't let me swipe right to power down. I've tried locking and waking dozens of times to no success. Help!"
- from Apple Community
For Apple users, nothing is more exciting than the anticipation of a new iOS update. Is your iPhone stuck on verifying update and not moving forward, no matter how long you wait? You're not alone. Many users encounter this frustrating issue when installing a new iOS version. In this guide, we'll explain why your iPhone is stuck on verifying update and provide multiple effective solutions to help you complete the update successfully.
Before officially addressing the issue, let's first understand the common causes. Generally, your iPhone or iPad may become stuck on the verification process when attempting to update due to the following reasons:
Below are 12 tested methods to fix the iPhone stuck on verifying update problem. Follow them step by step.
The easiest way to resolve an iPhone stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen is to press the power button to lock the screen, then press it again to wake the device.
You may need to repeat this 5-10 times. In many cases, this action helps refresh the update process and allows it to proceed. If it doesn't work, try the next solution.
The verification process requires a stable connection to Apple's servers. If your Wi-Fi is unstable, your iPhone may remain stuck on verifying update. Here are the steps:
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Wi-Fi".
Step 2. Switch to a stable Wi-Fi network.
Step 3. Alternatively, turn off Wi-Fi and reconnect.
Step 4. If needed, restart the router.
If there's an issue with your network connection, toggling Airplane Mode can help reset the wireless connection.
To do this, open the Control Center, turn on "Airplane Mode", wait for 30 seconds, then turn it off. Afterward, reconnect to Wi-Fi. This action refreshes the network module and may resolve the verification delay.
System lag can also cause the iPhone to be stuck on verifying an update, and a force restart usually resolves the issue quickly. The method varies depending on the model:
iPhone 8 and later:
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:
iPhone 6s and earlier:
After restarting, try updating again.
If the downloaded update file is corrupted, your iPhone may get stuck during verification. Deleting and reinstalling it often fixes the issue. Here is how to do it:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage".
Step 2. Locate the iOS update file, tap it, and choose "Delete Update".
Step 3. Go back to "Settings" > "Software Update". (iPhone stuck on software update?)
Step 4. Download and install again.
The "Verifying Update" issue may arise if your network settings are not configured correctly. Fortunately, you can quickly fix this by resetting your network configurations and restoring them to default. To do this, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > Tap "Transfer or Reset iPhone".
Step 2. Now, select the "Reset All Network Settings" option to reset your device's network settings.
Step 3. When prompted, enter your passcode and confirm that you want to reset your iPhone's network settings.
Insufficient storage is another major reason why your iPhone is stuck on verifying update. iOS updates require several gigabytes of free space. To ensure a successful update, you should clear any unnecessary files to get more iPhone storage. Here is how to free up iPhone space:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage" to see the available storage space.
Step 2. If it is not enough, try to delete unused apps, remove large videos or photos, or clear unnecessary files to free up space.
If Apple's update servers are down, your iPhone cannot complete the verification process. Visit the official system status page from Apple to check whether iOS update services are operational. If the servers are down, you'll need to wait until Apple resolves the issue.
If over-the-air updates fail, updating through a computer is often more stable., updating through a computer is often more stable. Here is how to update an iPhone without Wi-Fi:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
Step 2. Open iTunes (On Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (On macOS Catalina and later).
Step 3. When your iPhone appears, select it. Then, click on "Summary" and choose "Check for Update".
Step 4. Click "Download and Update" to start installing iOS 18/26. Keep your iPhone connected until the update is fully completed.
Updating your iPhone through iTunes can often resolve the issue. If your iPhone is still stuck on verifying update iOS 26/18, restoring it via iTunes might help. Restoring your iPhone refreshes the system by wiping all data and settings, then reinstalling iOS. So, back up your iPhone first.
Here is how to do it:
Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone.
Step 2. Once iTunes detects your device, click on the device icon on the screen.
Step 3. Select "Summary" on the left and click "Restore iPhone".
Step 4. Choose the backup you want and click "Restore".
Putting your iPhone in DFU mode can also help resolve the "iPhone stuck on verifying update" issue. However, keep in mind that this method will erase all data on your device. If you haven't backed up or don't have a previous backup, your data will be lost.
Here's how to use DFU mode to fix an iPhone stuck on verifying update, can't turn off:
Step 1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes (on Windows or older macOS) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later).
Step 2. Put your iPhone into DFU mode.
Step 3. Once in DFU mode, iTunes or Finder will detect your iPhone in recovery mode and prompt you to restore it.
Step 4. Click "Restore", and iTunes/Finder will download the necessary firmware and reinstall iOS.
Step 5. The DFU restore process may take some time, so keep the device connected until it completes and your iPhone restarts.
Step 6. After the restore, set up your iPhone. You can either set it up as a new device or restore from a backup you created earlier.
If none of the methods fix your iPhone stuck on verifying update, hardware issues may be involved. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for professional assistance.
If you want a safer and easier solution, especially without data loss, professional iPhone System repair software is highly recommended. iOS System Recovery is one such tool. It is designed to fix various iOS issues, including iPhone stuck on verifying update, stuck on Apple logo/recovery mode loop, iOS update failure, etc.
The core features of iOS System Recovery:
Here is how to fix an iPhone stuck on verifying update iOS 18/26:
01Install and launch the software on the computer. On the primary interface, choose the option for "iOS System Recovery".
02The program will automatically detect the issue with your iPhone and display it on the screen. Click the "Start" button to continue.
03Confirm the device details on the interface. If necessary, select the correct information from the drop-down menus. Then, click the "Repair" button to quickly fix the issue with your iPhone.
Now you know what to do when your iPhone gets stuck on verifying updates. We hope you will find the solutions in this article helpful in fixing your iPhone. If all else fails, it's best to try iOS System Recovery that can help repair any issue with your device quickly and without data loss.
Related Articles:
How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Update Requested? (iOS 18/26 Supported)
[Solved] How to Fix iPhone Taking Forever to Update iOS 18/26?
iPhone Software Update Failed: How to Update to iOS 26/18/17/16 Smoothly?
[2026 Guide] 8 Effective Tricks to Fix iOS 26/18/17 Update Paused
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