iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo After iOS 13 Update? Here’s How to Fix It

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If your iPhone froze on the Apple logo after updating to iOS 13, you’re not alone. Many users have run into this frustrating bug, often caused by update glitches, incompatible apps, or firmware corruption. The good news is, you can usually fix this at home without losing your data — if you act quickly. Here’s how to get your iPhone past the white Apple logo screen.

Why Is My iPhone Stuck on the Apple Logo?

Common causes include:

  • Interrupted iOS 13 update
  • Incompatible or outdated apps
  • Corrupt system files
  • Insufficient storage space during update
  • Rare cases of hardware damage

1. Try a Force Restart

This is the easiest way to jolt your iPhone out of a stuck state.

  • iPhone 8/X/11/12/13:
    Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo reappears.
  • iPhone 7/7 Plus:
    Hold Volume Down and Sleep/Wake buttons at the same time until you see the Apple logo.
  • iPhone 6s/SE (1st gen):
    Hold down Home + Sleep/Wake buttons until the Apple logo appears.

If your iPhone reboots normally, go ahead and update all your apps, free up storage, and reset settings to prevent it from happening again.

2. Restore Using iTunes (Standard Restore)

If force restart doesn’t work, connect your iPhone to a computer and restore it via iTunes.

  1. Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
  2. Connect your iPhone with a USB cable.
  3. Wait for iTunes to detect the device. Click Restore iPhone.
  4. Confirm, and let iTunes download and install a fresh version of iOS.

⚠️ This will erase your device — only proceed if you’ve backed up your data.

3. Use Recovery Mode

Recovery mode lets you reinstall iOS without fully wiping the device (unless necessary).

To enter Recovery Mode:

  • iPhone 8 or later:
    Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until you see the “Connect to iTunes” screen.
  • iPhone 7/7 Plus:
    Hold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake until the recovery screen appears.
  • iPhone 6s and earlier:
    Hold Home + Sleep/Wake until you see the recovery screen.

iTunes will prompt you to Update or Restore. Choose Update to keep your data.

4. Try DFU Mode (Deep Restore)

If even recovery mode fails, try DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode — the most complete type of iOS restore.

To enter DFU mode:

  • Connect iPhone to a computer.
  • Perform a button sequence (varies by model) to enter DFU mode:
    • For iPhone 8 or later:
      • Press Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side button until screen goes black
      • Hold Side + Volume Down for 5 seconds
      • Release Side button, keep holding Volume Down until iTunes detects device

If the screen remains black and iTunes/Finder detects the phone, you’re in DFU mode.

Click Restore iPhone in iTunes to reinstall the firmware.

5. Use Third-Party iOS Repair Tools (No Data Loss)

If you don’t want to restore and lose your data, third-party tools may help.

Popular options include:

  • Tenorshare ReiBoot
  • iMyFone Fixppo
  • PhoneRescue for iOS
  • Dr.Fone – Repair
  • Joyoshare UltFix

These tools can exit the Apple logo loop without wiping your data. Most offer free trials.

6. Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone is still stuck after trying all the methods above, the problem could be hardware-related — especially if your device was dropped or exposed to water.

Make a Genius Bar appointment or call Apple Support for further help.

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