Is your iPhone frozen on the Apple logo screen and won’t move past it, no matter how long you wait? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a common issue that happens to many iPhone users, and in most cases, you can fix it yourself without rushing to the Apple Store.
So why does this happen? Usually, it’s caused by a software glitch, maybe after a failed update, a restore error, or even during data transfer to a new iPhone. The good news is that it’s often a fixable issue. Let’s walk through exactly what you can do to get your iPhone working again.
Step 1: Don’t Panic, Check for Minor Glitches First
Before trying anything technical, make sure this isn’t just a brief hiccup. Leave your phone for a few minutes (yes, even if it’s been sitting on the Apple logo for a while). Sometimes the phone is completing a process in the background and just needs a little more time.
Still stuck? Let’s move to the next step.
Step 2: Force Restart Your iPhone
This is the easiest and fastest fix, and it works more often than you’d expect.
Here’s how to force a restart:
- iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd gen & iPhone 13/14/15):
Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then do the same with Volume Down, and finally press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo disappear and reappear. - iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:
Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button at the same time until the Apple logo reappears. - iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen):
Press and hold the Home button and the Power button together until the screen goes black and you see the logo again.
After the reboot, your iPhone should ideally boot up normally. If not, let’s go deeper.
Step 3: Try Recovery Mode (You’ll Need a Computer)
If a force restart didn’t work, the next step is using Recovery Mode. This allows iTunes (on PC or macOS Mojave) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and newer) to repair your phone without erasing everything—though sometimes a reset is needed.
Here’s how to do it:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a Lightning cable.
- Put your phone into Recovery Mode (use the same force restart button combo as Step 2, but don’t release the last button until you see a computer + cable icon or a screen that says “Support.apple.com”).
- On your computer, choose “Update” when prompted. This will try to reinstall iOS without deleting your data.
Let the process run. If successful, your phone will restart normally. If not, don’t lose hope—we still have one more option.
Step 4: Use DFU Mode (The Deep Fix)
DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is the most advanced option you can do at home. It wipes your iPhone clean and installs the firmware from scratch—ideal if you’ve got deep system corruption. Warning: this step will erase everything unless you’ve backed up your phone.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Use the DFU button combo (different for each iPhone model).
- Your screen should stay completely black. If it shows the Apple logo, it didn’t enter DFU correctly.
- On your computer, iTunes or Finder will detect a phone in “recovery” mode and let you choose Restore.
Once complete, you can set up your phone as new or restore from a backup.
Step 5: Contact Apple Support (If Nothing Works)
If your iPhone refuses to respond—even after all these steps—it’s time to get expert help. There might be a hardware issue, like a faulty NAND chip, damaged logic board, or other internal damage. Book a Genius Bar appointment or contact Apple Support online.
Final Thoughts
An iPhone stuck on the Apple logo isn’t the end of the world, even though it feels like it at the time. In most cases, a force restart or quick recovery mode update can bring it back to life. The key is staying calm and following each step with patience.
Have a recent backup? That’s great, you can restore your iPhone and be back in action in no time. If not, now’s a good time to make it a habit.