iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update? 10 Quick Tips to Fix It

User Concern

“My iPhone 16 tried to install the iOS 18 and was stuck on verifying update for hours. I tried to reboot it but the screen is not working. I also tried the iTunes but it didn't recognized the iPhone. Is there any other way to turn it off?”

When you update your iPhone or iPad over the air, you’ll see the "Verifying Update..." screen after the update is downloaded. This step is essential for completing the update. Normally, it only takes a few minutes, but sometimes, things can go wrong, and your device may get stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen.

Is your iPhone stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen while updating to iOS 18? Don't worry! In this guide, we'll provide solutions to help you fix the "iPhone stuck on verifying update" issue. This guide applies to all iPhone models, including iPhone 14, 15, and 16, and covers iOS 17/18 updates.

How Long Should an iPhone Stay On Verifying Update?

There’s no definite answer to how long the "Verifying Update" process takes, as it depends on various factors like your Wi-Fi connection and the update size. Generally, the verification should take no more than 15 minutes. According to most users, it typically takes just a few seconds to complete.

However, if your iPhone is stuck on the "Verifying Update..." screen for more than 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even an hour, something may have gone wrong with the update process.

Why is My iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update iOS 18?

If your iPhone gets stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen when trying to install the latest iOS 18, it doesn’t necessarily mean the update process is frozen. It usually indicates that the verification process is taking longer than expected.

This issue often happens when a large number of users try to download the update at the same time, overwhelming Apple’s servers and slowing down the verification. Other factors like software glitches, unstable network connections, and insufficient storage space can also cause this issue.

If you're seeing the "Verifying Update" screen, give it a few minutes to finish the process. However, if it takes longer than 15 minutes, your iPhone is likely stuck and you’ll need to take action to fix it. In this article, we’ll cover all the possible solutions to resolve this issue. Keep reading to find out more.

What to Do If My iPhone is Stuck on Verifying Update?

To avoid issues while updating your iPhone to iOS 18, you can follow these simple tips:

• Ensure a Stable Wi-Fi Connection: A weak Wi-Fi connection can interrupt the update or verification process. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi to make sure you're connected to a stable and reliable network.
• Charge Your iPhone: If your iPhone’s battery is lower than 10%, the verification process might get stuck. Keep your phone charged, or plug it in during the update to prevent any interruptions.
• Free Up Space: Make sure there’s enough free space on your iPhone for the iOS 18 update. Without sufficient storage, the device may get stuck during the verification process.
• Back Up Your iPhone: It’s always a good idea to back up your iPhone before updating. This ensures that you don’t lose any important data during the update process.

How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update on iOS 18/17

Tip 1. Lock and Wake Your iPhone

The simplest way to fix an iPhone stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen is to lock the device by pressing the power button, then wake it up again. If this doesn’t work the first time, try repeating the lock and wake-up process 5 to 10 times.

Tip 2. Hard Reset Your iPhone

Your iPhone may get stuck on verifying update due to minor software glitches. You can force reboot your iPhone to fix the problem.

For iPhone XS or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then do the same with the Volume Down button. After that, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

After hard resetting your iPhone, try to download and install the iOS 18 update again. If your iPhone still gets stuck on the verifying update screen, move on to the next solution.

Tip 3. Enable and Disable Airplane Mode

If your iPhone is facing update issues due to network connectivity errors, toggling Airplane mode on and off can help resolve the problem.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and tap on Airplane Mode.
2. Turn on Airplane Mode to disable all wireless connections.
3. Next, restart your iPhone and then turn off Airplane Mode.

Tip 4. Delete iOS Update and Download Again

The iPhone will not successfully verify the update if something went wrong with the installation. Thus, delete and reinstall iOS 18 with the steps below and try it again.

• Go to Settings on your iPhone, click General, and choose iPhone Storage; all the apps will be listed. Select the software update and tap on Delete Update.

• After deleting the iOS update package, you can go to Settings > General > Software Update to reinstall the new iOS version.

Tip 5. Reset Network Settings on iPhone

Incorrect network configurations can also cause the "Verifying Update" stuck issue. If this is the case, performing a network settings reset can help.

1. To do this, go to Settings, then tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Scroll down to Reset and choose the option to Reset Network Settings.
3. If prompted, enter your passcode, and then confirm that you want to reset network settings on your device.
4. Your device will automatically restart, and you can set up and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.

Tip 6. Fix iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update without Data Loss

The best way to fix the "iPhone stuck on verifying update" issue without losing data is by using FoneGeek iOS System Recovery. This professional tool can resolve all iOS system issues and restore your iPhone or iPad to normal. It will fix the update issue without causing any data loss, and ensure your device is updated to the latest iOS 18.

Key Features of FoneGeek iOS System Recovery:

• Fix all iPhone and iPad issues, including problems like iPhone stuck on iOS upgrade, iPhone black screen, iPhone won't turn on, etc.
• All iTunes errors could also be resolved with this program, such as iTunes error 9, 4013, 27, etc.
• Supports updating or downgrading iOS system without any data loss.
• Works with all iPhone models and iOS versions, even the newest iPhone 16 and iOS 18.

Now, look at how to fix this verifying update stuck issue with FoneGeek iOS System Recovery.

Step 1. To begin the fixing process, you must download and install this iOS repair tool on your computer. Then, choose Standard Mode to get started.

Step 2. Connect the iPhone to the computer via a USB cable. The software will automatically detect the device. If not, follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone in DFU or Recovery mode.

Step 3. When the program detects that the device is in DFU/Recovery mode, check the device model and click Download to download the latest iOS firmware package.

Step 4. When the firmware is downloaded, click Fix Now to update the connected iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Tip 7. Update iPhone with iTunes

If all else fails, iTunes is a great alternative to help you perform the iOS update on a computer. Here are the simple steps to update your iPhone with iTunes:

1. Check whether the iTunes on your computer is of the latest version. If not, update it to the newest one.
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a lightning cable, and iTunes will recognize the device.
3. Then tick the Summary option on the screen and click Check for Update.
4. Click the Update button, and the newest iOS version will be installed on your iPhone. The Verifying Update message will be bypassed when using iTunes to update.

Tip 8. Restore iPhone with iTunes

Updating your device through iTunes can often resolve the issue. However, if your device remains stuck or you face other problems after the update, restoring the device in iTunes may help.

Keep in mind that restoring your iPhone through iTunes may lead to data loss, so it's recommended to back up your data before proceeding.

1. Run iTunes on your computer and plug the iPhone into the computer.
2. Click on the device icon on the screen when iTunes recognizes the device.
3. Click on Summary at the left and tap on Restore iPhone.
4. Choose the backup you need and tap on Restore.

Tip 9. DFU Restore Your iPhone

If none of the above methods work, there may be a deeper software issue causing the problem. A DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore can help eliminate this problem by erasing and reloading all the code on your iPhone. This process is more complex and involves steps that must be followed carefully. You can find detailed instructions on how to perform a DFU restore online.

Tip 10. Contact Apple Support

If you've tried all of the solutions above, but your iPhone still gets stuck on the "Verifying Update..." screen, there may be some hardware issues. The hardware issues could not be resolved by iTunes restore or hard reset. You'd better take the device to the nearest Apple Store to have it repaired.

The Bottom Line

The issue of iPhone stuck on verifying update is very common when installing the new iOS 18. Try the 10 solutions introduced above if the verifying update process takes more than 15 minutes. FoneGeek iOS System Recovery is the most recommended solution to resolve all iOS related issues in the fastest way. Download it now and start fixing your iPhone!