In an attempt to keep your iPhone system optimized and up-to-date, you never missed to install an iOS update. Hence, when Apple rolled out the latest software patch for iOS 12, which is the iOS version 12.2, you’ve promptly got it installed. But to your dismay, you ended up facing some post-update issues. If you’ve landed into this post because your iPhone XR is suddenly stuck on black screen after updating to iOS 12.2, then read further to find out what to do.
Why does your iPhone XR stuck on black screen after updating?
Apparently in this case, you’re dealing with an update bug that’s either minor or more complex. On the positive note, the problem is attributed to software errors rather than hardware damage. That said, there’s a way for it to be resolved at home. To give you some clues, I’ve mapped out the most effective solutions for you to try on. Feel free to refer to this walkthrough, should you wish to troubleshoot your iPhone XR that’s stuck on black screen following the iOS 12.2 update implementation.
Before troubleshooting, connect your iPhone to its charger and allow it to charge for at least 30 minutes. This will help you rule out battery or power issues. Some devices that ended up being stuck on black screen after an update were found to have drained their batteries completely. To make sure this isn’t what’s occurring to your iPhone XR, let it charge first. If your iPhone still shows more than enough battery life but still failed to power on, then you may begin troubleshooting.
First solution: Force restart your iPhone XR.
Some devices would end up being stuck or unresponsive from an update due to rogue apps. This is likely the case if you’ve left some apps opened or suspended during the update. When left suspended, there is a higher chance that the app gets corrupted. If that happens, the entire system could become adversely affected. Thus, your phone is also acting up. To get these apps and the phone back to their normal working state, performing a forced restart can help. A force restart works the same as a soft reset but carried out using hardware keys. As the name implies, it forces an unresponsive device to restart. If you haven’t done this yet, then here’s how to force restart an iPhone XR:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Power button on the side of your iPhone and then release when the device restarts.
Performing a forced restart often resolves minor system errors and app glitches that caused your device to become unresponsive or stuck on black screen. If that fails, then you need to try other options.
Second solution: Erase your iPhone XR and restore its factory defaults.
The recent update might have brought complex system errors that eventually ruined the phone’s normal operations. If a forced restart failed to correct these errors, then your next option would be a full system reset. But since your iPhone is stuck on black screen, the settings menu options aren’t accessible. Thus, you will need to use iTunes to manually erase your device and restore its factory default settings. But before you do so, attempt to back up all your critical files as they will also be deleted in the process. You can create a backup to iTunes on your computer drive. Once you’re all set, follow these steps to start performing a master reset on your iPhone XR:
- Connect your iPhone XR to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
- Open iTunes on your computer and wait for it to sync with your iPhone.
- Select your iPhone when it shows up in iTunes.
- Navigate to the Summary section then click the Restore [iPhone] button.
- When asked, click Restore again to confirm and then wait for iTunes to finish erasing your iPhone and installs the latest iOS version available.
Once the reset is finished, your device restarts automatically. By then you can continue to set it up as new. Just use the setup wizard to complete the setup process.
Third solution: Restore your iPhone XR in Recovery mode.
Complex system errors are often rectified by a factory reset. However, there are also some instances wherein a factory reset won’t suffice and therefore a more advanced solution is required. The next option you have to try on if your iPhone XR remained stuck on black screen or not responding after the previous reset would be a recovery mode restore. This will put your device in a recovery state, allowing iTunes to repair corrupted system files and to eliminate flawed data from the recent update that caused the device to suddenly become unresponsive. To carry out a recovery mode restore, you will need to secure a Windows or Mac computer that has the latest version of iTunes app installed. Once you have the equipment ready, connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable or original lightning cable. Wait for your iOS device to sync with iTunes and once they synced, continue with these steps to enter recovery mode:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Next, press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Side/Power button until you see the Connect to iTunes screen. This means that your iPhone has entered recovery mode.
- When you see the option to Update or Restore, choose Update if you want to restore without deleting files. Doing so will prompt iTunes to start downloading the latest software for your device. If you opt to restore from a previous iOS backup, then select the option to Restore.
The restore process may take several minutes to complete. Do not disconnect your iPhone from the computer unless the entire restore process is finished.
Fourth solution: Restore your iPhone XR in DFU mode.
The last possible solution you can try if all prior methods failed to solve the problem would be a DFU mode restore. DFU or Device Firmware Update mode is considered as the deepest type of system restore done on an iPhone. It’s often used and carried out by iPhone technicians when attempting to resolve major system issues that could not be remedied by basic procedures. Nevertheless, it is only recommended to perform a DFU mode restore if your device is totally free from physical or liquid damage. If a liquid damage is present on your phone, the process could be halted and if that happens, your iPhone could end up bricked or totally dysfunctional. Permanent loss of important files and personal information from the device is also another downside as your device will totally be wiped out in the process. Should you wish to proceed, then you may do so at your own risk. The first thing you need is a computer with the latest version of iTunes app in it. If you’ve got your computer set, connect your iPhone XR via USB cable or Lightning cable then follow these steps to put your iPhone in a DFU state and repair its system in iTunes.
- Quickly press and 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 turns completely black.
- As soon as the screen goes black, press and hold the Volume Down button while you keep holding the Side/Power button.
- After 5 seconds, release the Side/Power button but continue to hold the Volume Down button until your iPhone shows up in iTunes on your computer.
- When your iPhone XR appears in iTunes, you can release the Volume button because your iPhone is already in a DFU state and all set for an ultimate system repair.
A DFU mode restore puts your device in a state that’s still able to communicate with iTunes on a computer even when the operating system or boot loader isn’t activated. This allows iTunes to repair your device even if with a corrupt operating system.
Fifth solution: Repair your iPhone software using alternative tools.
There are also other alternative tools that you can use instead of iTunes. In fact, many people would opt to use third-party iOS repair and recovery software instead of iTunes. You can also consider this as alternative if iTunes is unable to repair your device and that you already run out of options. Among the highly trusted and most effective iOS repair and recovery tools for your iPhone XR are Any iOS System Repair system, Tenorshare iCareFone, U.Fone iOS System Recovery, and iMyFone iOS System Recovery, to name some. Just download any of these tools on a compatible computer and then use it to fix your iPhone XR that’s stuck on black screen.
These tools are usually designed to present a simple and user-friendly interface so all you have to do is click on the given buttons and controls to execute specific commands.
Is your iPhone XR still stuck on black screen?
So you’ve tried all applicable tweaks including the outlined solutions above but your iPhone XR still ended up stuck on black screen. Should that be the case, there is a higher chance that you’re dealing with hardware damage and your iPhone needs service. Although the symptom had instigated from the recent iOS 12.2, it’s still possible especially if your device was previously exposed to some sort of liquid or was accidentally dropped. Symptoms of physical and liquid damage may emerge later and that’s likely what’s transpiring on your iPhone XR. In this case, taking your device to the nearest Apple authorized service center would be the right thing to do next.
If you’re certain that your iPhone hasn’t obtained any sort of physical or liquid damage but it remains stuck on black screen for some reason, contact Apple Support to report the problem and ask further recommendations. Should this be a major update bug, Apple is obliged to provide a dedicated fix patch.
I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix the problem with your device. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!