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If your iPhone keeps restarting or remains on the Apple logo, work through these boot-loop troubleshooting steps in order: first identify what is on screen, then allow any active progress bar time to finish, try the button sequence for your iPhone model, and use computer recovery if needed. Choose Update before Restore when the computer offers both; Restore erases the iPhone.
“Boot loop” is a common description, not a diagnosis Apple assigns to every stuck iPhone. Apple’s support guidance addresses observable states such as a frozen Apple logo, a stalled progress bar, or a Restore screen. Those symptoms alone do not establish a hardware cause.
First, identify what is on the screen
The right next step depends on whether iOS may still be working, the iPhone is waiting for recovery, or it is not responding at all. Apple’s instructions describe symptoms and recovery actions rather than a cause for every restart loop.
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| What you see | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Apple logo with a progress bar after an update, restore, or migration | Allow the process time to finish. If the bar has not moved for at least one hour during a restore or migration, follow the computer-recovery steps below. Apple’s stuck-logo guidance gives this threshold for the progress-bar situation. |
| Apple logo without a progress bar, or repeated restarts | Try the force-restart sequence for your iPhone family. If it remains stuck, proceed to recovery mode. |
| “Connect to computer” or Restore screen | The iPhone is already in recovery mode. Connect it to a computer and follow the Update-first instructions below. |
| Black screen or no response | A boot-loop procedure may not apply. If the iPhone does not respond to the model-appropriate force restart, use Apple’s support guidance for the specific symptom or contact Apple Support. |
Wait if a progress bar may still be working
After an update, restore, or migration, a progress bar can move slowly or appear static. Apple says, “The progress bar may move slowly or appear static, but it’s important to let the device complete the process.” The bar can also finish and start again during the process. Keep an over-the-air update connected to power.
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For an iOS 13-or-later restore or migration showing the Apple logo and progress bar, Apple directs users to move to computer recovery when the bar has not moved for at least one hour. This is specific guidance for that progress-bar situation, not a rule to wait an hour on every Apple-logo screen. See Apple’s stuck-on-Apple-logo steps.
Force-restart using the buttons for your iPhone
A force restart does not use the same sequence on every iPhone. It is different from recovery mode: for a force restart, release the button when the Apple logo appears. If you are entering recovery mode, keep holding until the recovery/connect-to-computer screen appears.
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iPhone 8 and later, including newer iPhone SE models
- Quickly press and release Volume Up.
- Quickly press and release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
- Press and hold the Side (or Sleep/Wake) button and Volume Down together.
- Release both when the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s and earlier, including iPhone SE (1st generation)
- Press and hold the Home button and the Side or Top button together.
- Release both when the Apple logo appears.
For a model-specific confirmation, consult Apple’s force-restart instructions. If the buttons on your phone differ or you are unsure which model you have, check the model before trying a sequence.
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Recovery mode lets a computer communicate with an iPhone that cannot start normally. You need a computer and a USB cable that supports data transfer and fits the ports on both your iPhone and computer. A charging-only cable will not complete this connection.
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Open the Apple app for your computer
- Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later: Open Finder.
- Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier: Open iTunes.
- Windows PC: Use Apple Devices or iTunes, following Apple’s current recovery instructions. Apple’s newer guidance recommends the latest Apple Devices app on PC; keep macOS up to date on a Mac.
Apple’s recovery steps are at If you can’t update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch. App availability and names can change, so follow the current instructions for your platform.
Connect and enter recovery mode
- Connect the iPhone to the computer using the data-capable USB cable.
- Open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes as appropriate. If prompted, select the connected iPhone.
- Use the button sequence for your model, but keep holding beyond the Apple logo until the recovery/connect-to-computer screen appears:
- iPhone 8 and later, including newer SE models: Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side (or Sleep/Wake) button and Volume Down together.
- iPhone 6s and earlier, including iPhone SE (1st generation): Press and hold the Home button and the Side or Top button together.
- When the computer offers Update or Restore, select Update first if it is available.
Choose Update before Restore
Update attempts to reinstall or update iOS while preserving personal data in the recovery procedure described by Apple. It is the first choice to try when offered, but it is not guaranteed to succeed or to preserve data in every failure scenario.
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Restore erases the iPhone. Apple Support states: “If you choose Restore, it will erase your iPhone.” Before selecting Restore, consider whether you have a backup and understand that data stored only on the device will be erased. Follow the computer’s prompts. Apple’s detailed guidance is available in its stuck-logo article and recovery article.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhen to stop troubleshooting and seek service
Contact Apple Support or arrange service if recovery-mode Update or Restore cannot be completed, if a button needed for the procedure is broken or stuck, or if the progress bar remains unresolved after following Apple’s steps. A repeated restart or stuck logo by itself does not identify a failed battery, storage device, logic board, or other internal part; diagnosis requires more than the symptom alone. Apple explains these escalation cases in its recovery guidance and stuck-logo guidance.
Quick Recap
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
