How to fix an iPhone 8 that gets stuck or frozen after installing an iOS update [Troubleshooting Guide]

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If an iPhone gets stuck or frozen after updating iOS, it usually denotes a major system issue to resolve. The new update might have inflicted complex data corruption and thereby caused the system to crash or stop working. Before rushing to a service center, you may attempt to troubleshoot and fix the problem on your end with some workarounds.

The solutions I’ve mapped out below are applicable to an iPhone 8 that gets stuck or frozen after installing the latest iOS update. You may consider these as additional inputs when dealing with the same post-update issue on the same iOS device. Read on for more information.

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 your iPhone 8.

If this is the first time your iPhone gets stuck or frozen since the new iOS version was implemented, then performing a force restart will likely deal with problem. Errant apps might have caused your device to get stuck and frozen after an iOS update. To clear this out, performing a force restart can help. Here’s how:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
  2. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
  3. Finally, press and hold the Power/Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears

If your device is able to boot up and run properly after the force restart, then follow these subsequent steps to reset all settings on your iPhone 8 to clear any system errors and prevent the problem from recurring.

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select Reset All Settings from the given options.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode to continue.
  6. Then tap Reset All Settings again to confirm.

Your iPhone should reboot by itself when the reset is finished. By then you can configure individual options and enable only the features you want to use on your iPhone.

Second solution: Reset your iPhone 8 in iTunes (factory reset).

A factory reset deletes all the information and settings on your iPhone and installs the latest iOS version. This reset is usually carried out through your iPhone settings menu but in the case where the iPhone is freezing or stuck, iTunes is required.

To get started, get your iPhone and computer ready. You can use either Windows or Mac computer for as long as it’s compatible with your iPhone 8 and it has the latest version of iTunes software installed. Then follow these steps to restore your iPhone 8 to factory settings through iTunes:

  1. Open iTunes on your computer.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the original Lightning cable or USB cable. Be sure to remove other USB devices from your computer to prevent any of them from interrupting the syncing process between your iPhone and the computer system.
  3. If prompted to enter your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, tap OK to confirm and then follow the onscreen instructions.
  4. When your iPhone 8 appears in iTunes, select it.
  5. Navigate to the Summary section and then click the button to Restore iPhone.
  6. Tap Restore to confirm.

Wait for iTunes to erase your device and install the latest iOS version. Your iPhone will restart after restoring factory settings. By then you can set it up as new.

Third solution: Restore your iPhone 8 via recovery mode.

If a factory reset failed to solve the problem and your iPhone 8 is still stuck or frozen, then you can try a recovery mode restore next. This will put your device in recovery mode and then allows iTunes to restore/repair iOS.

  1. Connect your iPhone 8 to your Mac or Windows computer using the original Lightning cable.
  2. When your iPhone is connected, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button and finally, press and hold the Side/Power button until the phone reboots. Continue holding the Side/Power button even when you see the Apple logo.
  3. Release the Side/Power button once you see the Connect to iTunes screen.
  4. Go to iTunes and you should see a message saying that “There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.”
  5. Select the option to Restore, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the entire iOS restore process in recovery mode.

Corrupted system data should now be cleared and your iPhone must be working properly again afterwards.

Fourth solution: Restore your iPhone 8 via DFU mode.

If a recovery mode restore is unable to complete or failed to fix the problem, you can try to recover and repair iOS through DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode restore. DFU mode allows your phone to interact with iTunes without activating the iOS, thereby makes it possible to fix complex system errors even if the iOS is completely corrupted. To restore your iPhone 8 in DFU mode, you will use either a Windows or Mac computer with the latest version of iTunes application installed. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Close any open apps on your computer and remove any other USB devices from the USB ports.
  2. Open iTunes on your computer.
  3. With your iPhone powered off, connect it to the computer using the supplied USB cable or Lightning cable.
  4. Press and hold the Side/Power button for 3 seconds.
  5. Then press and hold the Volume Down button. Keep holding both buttons for 10 seconds. If you see the Apple logo on the screen, it means you have held the buttons too long and so you need to start over. Otherwise, continue to the next step.
  6. Release the Side/Power button but continue to hold the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds. If the screen on your iPhone remains black, then it means you have successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Plug into iTunes screen, it means you’ve entered recovery mode instead and so you need to start over until your iPhone screen stays black.

Once you’ve successfully entered DFU mode, wait for the iTunes message saying that it has detected your iPhone and then follow the next on screen prompts to restore your iPhone in DFU mode using iTunes. Once the DFU mode restore is successfully carried out, your iPhone 8 should be working fine and stable again.

Other options

If none of the given solutions works and you still end up having a frozen or stuck iPhone 8, then it’s either you take your device to an authorized iPhone technician or seek further advice from Apple Support. The latter is also imperative given that the problem started after installing an iOS update. This can be regarded among major post-update issues that require a dedicated fix patch. Should you opt for service, then don’t forget to avail for service warranty if your iPhone is still covered. For more details on how to avail for warranties, contact your carrier or Apple Support.

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If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the Apple iPhone 8 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 8. 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.

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