5 Proven Ways To Fix iPhone Stuck On Verifying Update

You’ve been staring at the spinning progress bar on your iPhone screen for hours now. All you did was tap “Download and Install,” but your device is stuck on “Verifying Update…” No amount of restarting or force-shutting seems to help. Panic sets in: Will my iPhone turn into a brick? Could I lose my photos, messages, or important files? How do I even fix this?

Take a deep breath—you’re not alone. Millions of iPhone users face this frustrating issue during iOS updates. This guide will explain why your iPhone is stuck on the Verifying Update screen and provide you with 5 proven solutions to resolve the issue, allowing you to update to the latest iOS version smoothly. Let’s dive in!

Why Does an iPhone Get Stuck on “Verifying Update”?

Before installing an update, your iPhone goes through two critical phases:

Downloading the Update: Requires a stable internet connection and access to Apple’s servers.
Verifying the Update: The system checks the file’s integrity, compatibility, and authorization with Apple’s servers.

There are several reasons why your iPhone gets stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen, but the most common ones include:

Unstable Network: Weak Wi-Fi signals, frequent disconnections, or slow cellular data can interrupt the update verification process.
Insufficient Storage Space: If your iPhone doesn’t have enough available storage, the update can fail to install properly.
Software Glitches: Bugs or corruption within iOS can disrupt the update process, causing your iPhone to get stuck on the update verification screen.
Beta Version Glitches: If you’re using a beta iOS build, incomplete code may clash with the official update.
Server Overload: Occasionally, Apple’s update servers can be overloaded with requests, making the update verification process take much longer than expected.

Method 1: Force Reboot iPhone

A quick and effective solution to fix an iPhone stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen is to force restart the device. This process will kill the stuck update process and clear any temporary software glitches that may be causing the problem.

The best part is, it works even if your screen is unresponsive, as the force restart doesn’t require interaction with the screen. After restarting, your device will resume responding and you can try the update again.

Step 1: Force Restart Your iPhone

iPhone 8 or Later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, and finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s or Earlier: Press and hold the Home and Power buttons at the same time until the Apple logo appears.

Step 2: Delete the Downloaded Update

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the iOS update in the list, tap it, and then select Delete Update to remove the downloaded update.

Step 3: Retry the Update

Return to Settings > General > Software Update to retry the update.

Method 2: Update iPhone with iSumsoft iOS Refixer

If a force restart doesn’t help and your iPhone is still stuck on the Verifying Update screen, consider using iSumsoft iOS Refixer. This professional and reliable iOS repair tool can fix various iOS system issues and update your iPhone to the latest iOS version, all without risking data loss.

Step 1: Download and install iSumsoft iOS Refixer on your computer. After installation, launch the tool.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.

Step 3: In iSumsoft iOS Refixer, choose the System Repair option.

Step 4: Choose the Standard Mode. This mode fixes any potential software glitches and updates the iPhone to the official latest iOS without causing any data loss.

Step 5: Click Start to confirm your selection and then click Next to let the software recognize your device.

Step 6: Click Download to let the software automatically download the firmware needed to repair and update your iPhone.

Step 7: Click Repair and the software will start repairing and updating your iPhone.

Step 8: When prompted with a success, your iPhone has been updated to the latest iOS.

This method is extremely reliable because it ensures that your iPhone is restored to a working state, and it allows the update to proceed smoothly without relying on the typical constraints like network conditions or storage capacity.

In summary, iSumsoft iOS Refixer is an excellent tool for fixing iPhone update issues when other methods fail, helping you update to the latest iOS version easily and without the usual obstacles.

Method 3: Update iPhone with iTunes/Finder

If your iPhone is still stuck on the Verifying Update screen and you don’t want to use a third-party solution, iTunes or Finder are also good options. This program allows you to update your iPhone directly from your computer, bypassing potential network or software issues.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.

Step 2: Open iTunes on your Windows PC or Finder if you’re on macOS.

Step 3: Select your iPhone in iTunes or Finder, then choose “Update and Update” when prompted.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen prompts to allow the process to begin.

Step 5: Let iTunes/Finder download and install the update on your iPhone.

Method 4: Free Up Storage Space

If you don’t have access to a computer or prefer to update your iPhone directly on the device, the next step to resolve a stuck ‘Verifying Update’ process is to check your available storage space.

Step 1: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check how much storage is used and make sure you have at least 10GB free storage.

Step 2: If your iPhone is running low on storage, delete unnecessary apps, photos, and videos to free up storage.

Once you’ve cleared up enough space, try the update again. Having enough available storage will prevent any errors and allow your iPhone to update to the latest iOS version without any problems.

Method 5: Reset Network Settings

If your iPhone is still stuck on Verifying Update, consider network issues. In addition to making sure your network is stable, you may need to reset your network settings. This can fix issues related to Wi-Fi, cellular data, or VPN configurations that may be causing the iPhone to get stuck on the Verifying Update process.

Go to your iPhone’s Settings app.
Scroll down and tap on General.
Scroll to the bottom and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset and choose Reset Network Settings from the options.
If prompted, enter your iPhone passcode to confirm the action.
Tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm. Your iPhone will reset all network settings, including Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and cellular settings.
Reconnect to a stable Wi-Fi network and attempt to update your device again.

This may resolve any network-related issues and allow the update to complete smoothly. Keep in mind that you’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords after resetting network settings.

Final Thoughts

An iPhone stuck on “Verifying Update” is rarely a hardware issue—it’s often a temporary glitch with straightforward fixes. By understanding the potential causes, such as software glitches, network issues, or insufficient storage, you can apply one of the 5 proven methods we’ve covered to get your iPhone back on track. Whether you choose to force reboot, fix network issues, utilize iTunes/Finder, or employ iSumsoft iOS Refixer, there’s always a solution. Follow these steps, and you’ll be able to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version without losing data or facing further problems. Stay calm, and your iPhone will be up and running in no time!

Always back up your data via iCloud or iTunes before major updates to avoid catastrophic data loss. If all else fails, Apple Support (support.apple.com) offers remote diagnostics or in-store assistance.