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Idrisoo's avatar
Idrisoo
Copper Contributor
Mar 04, 2026

How can I fix my iphone stuck on verifying update ios 26

iPhone 16 Pro Max with iOS 18. The issue appeared during updating to iOS 26.  The download completed fine, but when it got to the "Verifying Update..." stage, it just got stuck.

It has been sitting on this verifying updatescreen for over an hour (I left it for 3 hours to be sure) with the progress bar frozen about halfway.  I tried the standard force restart. However, when the phone boots back up, it immediately goes back to the "Verifying Update..." screen on a black background. It does not boot to the home screen.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Is there a way to fix my iphone stuck on verifying update ios 26? I haven't backed up in a few days. Should I try plugging it into a computer (Mac/PC) with Finder or iTunes?

6 Replies

  • Hasperm's avatar
    Hasperm
    Iron Contributor

    This happened to my iPhone too when trying to update to iOS 26. The verifying update message just kept spinning and never finished.

    After searching around, I learned that this usually happens when the update file is damaged or the installation process gets interrupted. Deleting the update and downloading again sometimes helps.

    In my situation I didn’t want to risk restoring the phone, so I tried Fixppo to repair the system. It downloaded a fresh firmware package and fixed the update issue without erasing my data. The whole process was pretty simple and my phone started working normally again.

    You can follow the steps here: https://www.devshowto.com/iphone-stuck-on-verifying-update

     

  • Alfredui's avatar
    Alfredui
    Brass Contributor

    If your iPhone is stuck on verifying update iOS 26, one potential solution is to delete the update and then re-download it. This method can often resolve issues where the update process gets stuck or fails to complete properly.

    Here's how you can do it:

    1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
    2. Tap on General.
    3. Select iPhone Storage. This may take a moment to load, but it will show you all your apps and updates stored on the device.
    4. Scroll down to find the iOS update file that is stuck on verifying update iOS 26. Tap on it.
    5. Tap Delete Update to remove the file from your device.
    6. After deleting, go back to Settings > General > Software Update.
    7. Tap Download and Install to re-download the iOS update.
    8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

    This process forces your iPhone to fetch a fresh copy of the update, which often fixes iPhone stuck on verifying update iOS 26, where the device is stuck on verifying update iOS 26. If the problem persists, you might consider restarting your iPhone or connecting it to a computer with iTunes or Finder (on Mac) to perform the update again.

  • Jerichoo's avatar
    Jerichoo
    Copper Contributor

    Yes, you should definitely try plugging your iPhone into a computer. That is often the most reliable way to fix iPhone stuck on verifying update iOS 26 . Since you haven't backed up recently, it's crucial to prioritize methods that preserve your data.

    The "Verifying Update..." screen is where your iPhone checks the downloaded software's integrity before installation . Getting stuck there for hours, especially after a force restart, usually points to a corrupted update file or a communication issue with Apple's servers . Because your phone boots back to the verification screen, it's stuck in a loop trying to process that bad file. The key is to break that loop.

    If your iPhone is stuck on verifying update iOS 26, performing a force restart can sometimes help resolve the issue. When you encounter this problem, the device may become unresponsive or stuck in a loop during the update process. To force restart your iPhone, follow these steps to fix iPhone stuck on verifying update iOS 26:

    For iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation and newer):

    • Quickly press and release the volume up button.
    • Quickly press and release the volume down button.
    • Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, then release.

    For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

    • Press and hold both the volume down button and the Sleep/Wake (side) button simultaneously.
    • Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release.

    For iPhone 6s or earlier:

    • Press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake (side or top) button simultaneously.
    • Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release.
  • Ignaciojun's avatar
    Ignaciojun
    Brass Contributor

    Your iPhone 16 Pro Max stuck on "Verifying Update" during an iOS update can be frustrating. Since you've already tried force restarting and it keeps looping, here are some completely free steps you can take to try and fix iPhone stuck on verifying update iOS 26 issue:

    1. Connect your iPhone to a computer (Mac or PC)

    • Using Finder (macOS 10.15+), or iTunes (Windows or older macOS), connect your iPhone with a Lightning or USB-C cable.
    • This allows you to perform a recovery or DFU mode restore, which can resolve update issues like this.

     

    2. Enter Recovery Mode

    For iPhone 16 Pro Max, do the following:

    • Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
    • Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
    • Then, press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears (shows a cable and a computer icon or iTunes logo).

     

    3. Use Finder or iTunes to restore

    Once in recovery mode:

    • On Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder.
    • On Windows or macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes.
    • You should see a prompt saying your device is in recovery mode.
    • Choose "Update" (not "Restore") to try reinstalling iOS without erasing your data.
    • Important: If "Update" fails, you may need to choose "Restore," which will erase your device, but it often resolves stuck update issues.

     

    4. Wait for the process to complete

    • To fix iPhone stuck on verifying update iOS 26. Do not disconnect your device during the process.
    • If the update hangs again, you can try the restore process, but note that restoring will erase your device, and without a recent backup, you'll lose data.
  • If your iPhone is stuck in a verification loop and deleting the update file doesn't work, connecting to a computer is often the most reliable solution. This method bypasses your iPhone's wireless connection entirely and downloads the firmware directly to your computer before pushing it to the phone via a stable USB cable. Because it uses a wired connection, it is far less likely to experience the interruptions or corruption that can happen during a standard over-the-air (OTA) update. Below is a very detailed guide to let you resolve iphone stuck verifying update issue for iOS 26.

    1. On a PC, open iTunes and navigate to the menu bar, then select Help > Check for Updates.

    2. Use your charging cable to connect the iPhone to the computer. If your iPhone is asking you to "Trust This Computer," unlock it and tap Trust. You may also need to enter your device passcode.

    3. Open iTunes. Your iPhone will appear as a small icon near the top left of the window.

    4. Once your device appears, click on it. You will see a summary panel with information about your iPhone. Look for the button that says "Check for Update" (in newer macOS versions, this might simply be labeled "Update" ) .

    5. Click the button. The computer will check with Apple's servers to see if a newer version of iOS is available. If it finds one, it will prompt you to download it. Click "Download and Update" and follow the on-screen instructions. Your computer will handle the rest, and your iPhone will restart once the installation is complete.

    Updating via a computer is the safest way to fix iphone stuck on verifying update screen without losing data. Unlike the wireless method, the computer handles the heavy lifting of downloading and verifying the iOS file, ensuring the integrity of the installation. As long as you click "Update" (rather than "Restore"), all of your photos, messages, and settings will remain intact on your device .

  • Nobel_Baynes's avatar
    Nobel_Baynes
    Steel Contributor

    Since your phone is looping back to the verification screen, the downloaded update file is likely corrupted. Deleting it forces your phone to fetch a clean copy.

    Follow these steps carefully. This process will not erase your personal data like photos, messages, or apps.

    How to fix iPhone stuck on verifying update with iOS 26

    Step 1: On your iPhone, tap the Settings app (the grey gear icon) .

    Step 2: Scroll down a bit and tap on General.

    Step 3: In the General menu, tap on iPhone Storage. It might take a few seconds for the list of apps and their storage usage to load .

    Step 4: Scroll down the list of apps until you find the iOS update file. It is usually named after the iOS version you tried to install, such as "iOS 18" or "iOS 18.5" . Tap on it .

    Step 5: On the next screen, you will see an option that says "Delete Update" . Tap it. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Tap "Delete Update" again to confirm .

    Step 6: Once the update file is deleted, it's crucial to restart your iPhone to clear out any temporary glitches. To do this:

    Step 7: Press and hold the Side button (on the right side) and either Volume button simultaneously until the "slide to power off" slider appears. Drag the slider, wait 30 seconds for the device to turn off, then press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo .

    Step 8: After your iPhone restarts, go back to Settings > General > Software Update. You should now see the update available for download again. Tap "Download and Install" to get the fresh, uncorrupted file and try the installation once more