Major system errors usually cause apps or iOS to suddenly act up and stop working. Among the common symptoms to occur would include but not limited to constant lags, random restarts, and unresponsive or stuck displays. Aside from system errors, memory-related issues including insufficient or low internal memory can also trigger occurrence of similar symptoms. Hardware issues like defective motherboards or busted screen components are usually to blame in worst cases.
Tackled in this post is a similar issue affecting the new Apple iPhone XR. While it may sound unusual for such a new Apple-made, high-end smartphone to encounter such problems, there are a lot of factors that can trigger the same symptoms. But before rushing to an Apple Genius bar, there are a few workarounds and potential solutions you can try to fix the problem on your end. The following walkthroughs will help rule out software-related factors that caused the new iPhone XR to encounter boot-up errors and stuck on the Apple logo. Read on for more detailed solutions.
For owners who are looking for a solution to a different problem, drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most common problems with this device. Browse through the page to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work or if you need further assistance don’t hesitate to contact us by filling up our iPhone issues questionnaire.
First solution: Force restart.
The first and simplest recommended solution to try when dealing with stuck or unresponsive iPhone is a force restart. This gives the same positive outcome as soft reset when clearing out minor software errors and rogue apps that cause the phone to freeze. If you haven’t already, follow these steps to force restart your iPhone XR:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Power button on the side of the phone and then release when the phone enters the start-up sequence.
If the phone managed to get through the Apple logo and access the Home screen, perform the following workarounds to eliminate software-related errors that caused the system to act up:
- Install new updates. New updates embed fix patches or codes that are programmed to get rid of any malwares and software bugs that might have ruined the iPhone’s boot-up system.
- To check for new updates via OTA (over-the-air), go to Settings-> General-> Software Update menu.
Then follow the onscreen prompts to download and install new update if available.
- Reset all settings. Performing this reset deletes all customized settings on the phone including those that are not properly configured. Incorrect settings may also cause problems especially if system functions are affected.
- To reset all settings on your iPhone XR, navigate to Settings-> General-> Reset menu, then choose the option to Reset all settings. Enter your passcode if prompted to proceed and then tap the option to confirm settings reset.
Your iPhone should reboot automatically when the reset is finished and then loads up the default values and options. Just enable individual features that you want to use including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
- Factory reset. You may have to resort to a factory reset to get rid of major data corruption that might have caused fatal system errors on the phone. This however deletes all data including personal information stored on your iPhone’s internal storage. Should you wish to continue, back up all critical files from your phone memory to iCloud or iTunes beforehand.
- Then navigate to Settings-> General-> Reset menu, then choose the option to Erase all content and settings. Enter your passcode when asked to continue and the tap the option to confirm master reset.
After the reset, your phone restarts by itself and then loads the factory default settings. As soon as your phone boots up, you may proceed with the initial setup process and set up your device as new.
Second solution: Restore your iPhone in iTunes (standard restore).
Performing a system restore is recommended if the problem started after installing new update to iOS. You can restore your iPhone to a working iOS backup using iTunes on a computer with this standard iOS restore procedure:
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Plug your iPhone into your computer using the USB cable or Lightning cable that comes with it.
- If prompted, enter your device passcode or tap the option to Trust This Computer then follow the onscreen instructions to continue.
- Select your iPhone XR when it shows up in iTunes.
- Click the Restore Backup button in iTunes.
- Locate the date and size of the iOS backup file that you want to restore from.
- Click Restore to confirm.
Wait for the entire restore process to finish. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer after it reboots and then allow it to sync with your computer. Once the sync is finished, you can disconnect your iPhone.
Third solution: Recovery mode restore.
If the previous restore doesn’t fix the problem and your iPhone XR is still stuck on the Apple logo, try restoring your iPhone in recovery mode. Again, you will need to use a computer that has the latest iTunes version to get this done. Once you’re all set, follow these steps:
- Plug your iPhone into the computer’s USB port with the Apple-supplied USB/Lightning cable.
- While it’s plugged in, press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Then quick press and release the Volume Down button.
- Next, press and hold the Side/Power button and continue to hold as it restarts. Don’t release the Side/Power button when the Apple logo appears as you need to put the device in a recovery state.
- Release the Side/Power button when you see the Connect to iTunes logo on the screen.
- On your computer, navigate to iTunes then you should see a message saying that your connected iOS device is in recovery mode and prompts options to update or restore.
- Select the Restore option to wipe everything from the phone system and then restore iOS through iTunes.
Don’t disconnect your device from the computer unless the restore is complete.
Fourth solution: DFU mode restore.
Performing a Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode restore would be the last option and possible solution you can try to deal with major system data corruption that might have inflicted boot-up error and prevented your iPhone from getting past through the Apple logo. This however should only be done if your iPhone doesn’t have any sort of physical or liquid damage. If you wish to give it a shot, then here’s how it’s done:
- Plug your iPhone XR into the computer’s USB port with the Apple-supplied Lightning cable or USB cable.
- While your device is connected, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Then press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen turns completely black.
- As soon as your iPhone screen turns black, press and hold the Volume Down button while continuing to hold the Side/Power button.
- After 5 seconds, let go of the Side/Power button but keep holding down the Volume Down button until your iPhone shows up in iTunes.
- Release the Volume Down button as soon as it appears in iTunes. Your device should now be in DFU mode.
At this point, you can start restoring your iPhone through iTunes. Simply follow the onscreen commands to finish restoring your iPhone system.
Other options
- Repair iOS. You can also use third-party iOS management and repair software to fix major system data corruption that might have prevented your iPhone XR from completing its boot-up routine. These tools can be downloaded online to your Windows PC or Mac computer like Apple’s very own app, iTunes. Once you have the software installed on your computer, connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable, open the iOS repair software and then follow the onscreen commands to repair your iPhone system. Menu options and controls may vary depending on the software you are using. Rest assured these tools are generally programmed with a user-friendly interface to cater the needs of all types of users, either novice or expert.
- Service. If nothing else is working on your end and your iPhone XR remains stuck on the Apple logo, you may have to consider taking your device to the nearest Apple service center. Your iPhone might have obtained some sort of physical or liquid damage and therefore needs physical repair.
For other suggestions and more advanced solutions, you can also contact Apple Support or your iPhone provider.
I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix the problem with your device. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!
Connect with us
If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the Apple iPhone XR smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone XR. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.