How to fix an iPhone X that is stuck on Apple logo after installing iOS 11.4.1 update [Troubleshooting Guide]

Software updates are rolled out for good intentions. But there are just some factors that can turn it into a culprit, inflicting various types of device issues from minor to fatal system errors. Even so, keeping a device (smartphone in particular), up-to-date is highly recommended. Otherwise, you would be left behind and remain stuck on old and obsolete features. Not sensible, especially if you own a high-end and hefty smartphone like the iPhone X. This therefore denotes the need to face whatever post-update issues are there to encounter, unless you’re that lucky to always have smooth system transition.

This post highlights some helpful workarounds and generic solutions that can be used to deal with a post-update issue on the iPhone X that ended up being stuck on the Apple logo after updating to iOS 11.4.1. Feel free to refer to this context if ever you’ll bump into the same issue after installing the latest minor iOS update on your new iPhone.

Before anything else, if you have other issues with your device, try to browse through our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed several issues with this device. Odds are that we’ve already published a post that tackles similar problems. Try finding issues that have similar symptoms with what you currently have and feel free to use the solutions we’ve suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you still need our help, then fill up our questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

First solution: Force restart your iPhone X.

A force restart is an alternative method to the usual device restart or soft reset. Both methods work the same when it comes to dealing with minor software errors and glitches but differ in the way they’re carried out. In short, a force restart is used to restart a frozen or unresponsive iPhone. The process however is no longer the same with the old ways because Apple has changed it. Here’s how to force restart an iPhone X:

  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 Apple logo appears.

Corrupted cache and errant apps will be cleared out in the process, thus giving your device a clean fresh start the next time it boots up. This does not affect any data stored on the internal memory, so you won’t lose any files from doing so.

If you can get your iPhone to boot up and access the Home screen after a force restart, then you can proceed with the next workarounds.

Second solution: Reset all settings on your iPhone X.

There is a chance that the problem reoccurs, especially if it has something to do with some invalid settings or options. It’s possible that some of your iPhone settings were automatically altered from the update and that’s probably causing the iPhone system to become unstable. To rule this out, reset all settings on your iPhone X to restore the original values and then you can configure necessary features and options accordingly. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select the option to Reset all settings. This will clear your current iPhone settings without affecting any data.
  5. If prompted, enter the correct passcode for your iPhone to continue.
  6. Then tap the option to confirm all settings reset.

Wait until the reset is finished and then your iPhone reboots automatically.

Third solution: Reset your iPhone X to its factory defaults.

System resets are usually the key to fixing complicated software issues that could not be remedied by the prior methods. The problem could be due to some tough bugs afflicting system functions on the phone. In that case, a system wipe out may help. This however results to the deletion of all your data, customized settings, downloaded apps, and other contents. For safekeeping and if possible, back up your data on your computer through iTunes. Then reset your iPhone X to factory defaults via settings menu or through iTunes.

If your iPhone screen is already working or responding properly, then you can reset your iPhone X through settings menu.

To do so, go to Settings-> General-> Reset menu, then select the option to Erase All Content and Settings. If prompted, enter your device passcode and then tap the option to Erase iPhone to confirm.

Your iPhone will then instigate the system reset and then it restarts automatically when done.

Alternatively, you can reset your iPhone to its factory defaults using iTunes. In this method, you will need to use a computer either Windows or Mac with a later, if not latest OS and iTunes software installed. And when you’re all set, connect your iPhone X to the computer using the Lightning cable. Be sure to remove any other external paraphernalia from the USB ports of your computer to prevent them from causing conflict. Follow the rest of these steps to continue with the reset in iTunes:

  1. Open iTunes on your computer then allow it to recognize your iPhone X.
  2. If prompted with the option to Trust This Computer, tap OK then follow the onscreen instructions to continue.
  3. Select your iPhone X when it shows up in iTunes.
  4. Navigate to the Summary section then click the Restore [device name] button.
  5. If prompted with the confirmation message, click the Restore button to confirm. Doing so will then trigger iTunes to erase your device and install the latest iOS software.

When the factory reset is finished, your iPhone will restart. At this point, you can set it up as new.

Fourth solution: Restore your iPhone X in recovery mode through iTunes.

A recovery mode restore would be necessary if your iPhone remains stuck and a factory reset is not an option. This process requires the use of a computer with the latest version of iTunes software.

To get started, connect your iPhone to the computer then open iTunes. Be sure to use the latest version of iTunes software to avoid system incompatibility issues. While your iPhone X is connected, do a force restart with these steps:

  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. Do not release the button when the Apple logo appears because you need to access recovery mode.
  4. Once you see the recovery mode screen or Connect to iTunes screen, wait for the Restore or Update prompt to show up. Then select the option to Restore.

Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the iOS restore process. Typically, iTunes will download and reinstall iOS for your device in 15 minutes. If the restore process takes longer than that, your iPhone will exit recovery mode. Should that happens, you will need to go back to the previous steps to force restart and enter recovery mode again.

Fifth solution: Restore your iPhone X in DFU Mode through iTunes.

A DFU mode restore would be your last-ditch solution to consider everything failed to resolve the issue and your iPhone X remains stuck on the Apple logo. This is the deepest type of iOS restore done on an iPhone. Again, you will need to connect your iPhone X to a computer using the Lightning cable then open iTunes on your computer and continue with these steps:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen goes black.
  2. As soon as the screen turns black, press and hold the Volume Down button while keep holding down the Side/Power button.
  3. After 5 seconds, release the Side/Power button but keep holding down the Volume Down button until your iPhone X shows up in iTunes.
  4. Release the Volume Down button as soon as your iPhone shows in iTunes.
  5. Follow the onscreen commands to restore your iPhone X in DFU mode via iTunes.

We’ve got a more detailed tutorial on how DFU mode restore works and how it’s done on an iPhone X. You can find that piece from our iPhone X tutorials section under Troubleshooting page.

Seek more help

Performing a DFU mode restore is typically enough to get your iPhone X back up and running properly again if the problem is attributed to minor and complex software errors. But if your iPhone X remains stuck on the Apple logo after exhausting all the above procedures, then you may be dealing with a hardware issue. To clear that out, you can take your iPhone to the nearest Apple Genius bar in your place and have it diagnosed thoroughly by an Apple technician. Don’t forget to avail for warranty if your phone is still eligible.

Connect with us

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