Seeing your iPhone 8 constantly flashing the Apple logo and rebooting itself can be alarming—but don’t panic just yet. Whether your phone is caught in a boot loop or stuck during startup, there are ways to get it back to working order. This guide walks you through all the practical solutions that can fix the issue before you have to consider professional repair.
What Causes iPhone 8 to Get Stuck on the Apple Logo?
- Failed iOS update
- Jailbreak attempt gone wrong
- Restoring from a corrupt backup
- Expired beta iOS version
- Hardware failure (e.g., after a drop or liquid damage)
If your phone is stuck at the Apple logo and restarts repeatedly, the system is failing to boot up properly—most likely due to a software crash or failed firmware load.
Solution 1: Force Reboot Your iPhone 8
This simulates a “battery pull” and may help clear up system glitches.
Here’s how:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo reappears
If the reboot doesn’t get your phone past the logo, proceed to a deeper solution.
Solution 2: Restore from a Backup (Requires Wiping the Device)
If your iPhone can boot into recovery or DFU mode, you can restore it using iTunes or Finder, which may bring the device back to life using a previous backup.
To Restore via iTunes:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer
- Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later)
- If prompted, click Trust This Computer
- Choose your device under the Summary tab
- Click Restore iPhone
- Select a relevant backup created before the issue began
⚠️ This method erases your iPhone, so back up first if possible.
Solution 3: Use Recovery Mode
Recovery Mode allows your iPhone to communicate with iTunes without fully booting into iOS.
How to Enter Recovery Mode:
- Connect iPhone to your computer
- Quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen (cable and iTunes/Finder icon)
- When prompted in iTunes/Finder, choose Update (this keeps your data) or Restore (wipes everything)
If the update fails, retry and select Restore.
Solution 4: Perform a DFU Restore (Last Resort)
Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode allows the iPhone to be fully restored, including low-level firmware. This is the most thorough restore option available.
Steps to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 8:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable
- Open iTunes or Finder
- Quickly press and release Volume Up
- Quickly press and release Volume Down
- Press and hold the Side button for 10 seconds
- While still holding Side, press and hold Volume Down for another 5 seconds
- Release the Side button, but continue holding Volume Down for 5 more seconds
The screen should remain black. If it lights up or shows the Apple logo, repeat the process.
Once detected in iTunes/Finder:
- Click Restore to install a fresh version of iOS
- Wait for the process to complete, then set up your phone as new or from a backup
Solution 5: Contact Apple Support
If your iPhone 8 still won’t boot past the Apple logo even after a DFU restore:
- The issue may be hardware-related
- Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider
- If your iPhone is under warranty or AppleCare+, repairs may be free or discounted
Be aware that if your device was jailbroken or opened by an unauthorized technician, Apple may refuse service.
Tips to Avoid Boot Loop Issues in the Future
- Avoid beta iOS versions unless you know how to downgrade safely
- Don’t interrupt updates—keep the phone charged and on Wi-Fi
- Keep iOS and apps up to date
- Use iCloud or iTunes to regularly back up your data