How to Fix iPhone X Stuck on Apple Logo After iOS 11.4.1 Update

If your iPhone X got stuck on the Apple logo after updating to iOS 11.4.1, you’re not alone. This kind of boot loop or freeze is one of the more frustrating post-update issues, but in most cases, it’s fixable — even if your screen isn’t responding.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your iPhone X back up and running.

Force Restart Your iPhone X

This is the first thing to try when your iPhone gets stuck during boot.

Here’s how to force restart an iPhone X:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side (Power) button until you see the Apple logo.

This won’t delete anything and often fixes temporary glitches. If it works and your iPhone starts up normally, awesome. If not, move on to the next steps.

Reset All Settings

If your iPhone boots up but continues to act weird or glitchy, some settings might’ve been corrupted during the update.

To reset all settings:

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode if prompted.
Confirm the reset.

This won’t delete your data, but it will reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, and preferences.

Factory Reset (Erase All Content and Settings)

If resetting settings didn’t help, try a full reset.

Important: This will erase all your data. Make sure you have a backup before continuing.

If your iPhone is responsive:

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your passcode, then confirm.

If your iPhone is unresponsive:

Connect it to your computer.
Open iTunes (or Finder if you’re on macOS Catalina or later).
Put the phone in recovery mode (see below).
Choose Restore iPhone when prompted.

Restore iPhone X Using Recovery Mode

If your phone is still stuck on the Apple logo, try a recovery mode restore.

Here’s how:

Connect your iPhone X to your computer.
Press and quickly release Volume Up.
Press and quickly release Volume Down.
Hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears (it shows a cable and iTunes/Finder logo).
In iTunes or Finder, choose Restore.

Let your computer download and install the latest version of iOS. If the restore takes more than 15 minutes, your phone might exit recovery mode and you’ll need to start again.

Try a DFU Mode Restore (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode gives you a clean slate. It bypasses the current OS completely and reinstalls iOS.

This wipes everything, so use only if other options fail.

Steps:

Connect your iPhone X to your computer and open iTunes/Finder.
Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
Hold the Side button until the screen turns black.
Once black, hold Volume Down while continuing to hold the Side button for 5 seconds.
Release the Side button, but keep holding Volume Down until your iPhone appears in iTunes or Finder.

If done correctly, your iPhone screen stays black and iTunes will prompt you to restore it.

Still Stuck? It Might Be Hardware

If even a DFU restore doesn’t fix it, there might be a hardware issue — possibly something that surfaced during the update process (yes, it happens). You’ll need to:

Visit an Apple Store or authorized repair center
Have your device checked under warranty if it’s still eligible