Have you ever encountered the problem of a new iPhone stuck on Install Now? What to do if your iPhone is stuck on Install Now? When Apple released iOS 26, many iPhone users chose to update to this new iOS version on their devices. However, lots of users replied that their iPhone is stuck on Install Now, unable to enjoy new features, or setup iPhone with the new version. If you have the same problem, just read this article. Here we'll tell you how to fix an iPhone update stuck on Install Now and introduce alternative ways to update your iPhone.

• Part 1. How Long Does It Take to Update iPhone?
• Part 2. Why Is My iPhone Update Taking So Long?
• Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Install Now
  • Method 1. Charge the Battery
  • Method 2. Force Restart iPhone
  • Method 3. Free up Storage Space
  • Method 4. Re-download the iOS Update
  • Method 5. Reset Network Settings
  • Method 6. Reset All Settings
  • Method 7. Use an iOS Repair Tool
  • Method 8. Restore iPhone with iTunes
• Part 4. Alternative Ways to Update iPhone Over-the-Air
  • Solution 1. Update iPhone via iTunes/Finder
  • Solution 2. Update iPhone via MagFone Software
• Part 5. Conclusion

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Part 1. How Long Does It Take to Update iPhone?

Updating an iPhone usually takes 30 minutes to over one hour. But the time depends on different kinds of updates and other factors like network connection. If you want to escape the limitations of installing a new update in Settings, you can view the alternative ways to install a new iOS version. Now, you can find a clearer time for each kind of update below.

• Minor iOS updates: Minor iOS updates often repair software glitches or update some features. It usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.
• Major iOS updates: There are significant changes of major iOS updates, including new features, major user interface, core app enhancements, and so on. So it will take a longer time than minor iOS updates, typically needs 30 minutes to over one hour.
• Older devices updating after skipping versions: If your iPhone running an older version updates to the latest iOS version, it belongs to skipping versions. In this case, it will take 30 minutes to several hours.

These estimates include download, preparation, installation, and reboot time. And after having a basic understanding of different kinds of updates, you can know each step of updating will take in the sheet below.

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Part 2. Why Is My iPhone Update Taking So Long?

Several factors can interrupt the installation stage of an iOS update. If your iPhone is stuck on Install Now, it can be caused by several factors. Below are the most common causes. It is helpful for you to fix iPhone stuck on Install Now effectively. Let's dive into the details.

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Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Install Now

With the understanding of possible reasons for iPhone stuck on Install Now, solving the issue will be easier. The solutions below will help you troubleshoot iPhone stuck on Install Now from easy fixes to advanced fixes. Here's how to resolve the issue with the following solutions.

Method 1. Charge the Battery

In order to ensure the installation successfully, you should check if the battery power of your iPhone is over 50% or not. If the battery power is low, charge it in time to prevent the iPhone stuck on Install Now.

Method 2. Force Restart iPhone

Force restarting your iPhone will clear temporary software glitches and refresh the system. Then, the issue of iPhone stuck on Install Now may be solved after restarting the iPhone.

For iPhone 8 and Later Models:

Step 1. Press the Volume Up key and then release.

Step 2. Press the Volume Down key and then release.

Step 3. Hold the Power key until you see the iPhone restarting.

For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus:

Step 1. Hold the Volume Down and Power key at the same time.

Step 2. When the Apple logo displays, you can release these keys.

For iPhone 6 and Earlier Models:

Step 1. Hold the Power and the Home key simultaneously.

Step 2. When the Apple logo shows up, release both of them.

Method 3. Free up Storage Space

When there is not enough storage space for installing the update, the update cannot be completed. So, go to check whether there is enough storage space and free up the storage at least 20 GB of storage for installing the new version.

Step 1. Head to Settings > General, then tap iPhone Storage.

Step 2. Start to check the storage space on your iPhone.

Step 3. To free up the storage, simply tap Enable next to Offload Unused Apps.

Method 4. Re-download the iOS Update

Maybe the original downloaded files exist software glitches, so re-downloading the iOS update is an accessible method to fix iPhone stuck on Install Now issue.

Step 1. In the Settings app, tap General > iPhone Storage.

Step 2. Find the downloaded update and tap the update, then tap Delete Update.

Step 3. Go back to Settings > General and tap Software Update.

Step 4. Download a new update and tap Install Now again.

Method 5. Reset Network Settings

If your iPhone is connected to another useful network but still frozen on Install Now, you can reset network settings to ensure a stable network connection.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and head to General.

Step 2. Tap Reset or Transfer iPhone > Reset, then select Reset Network Settings.

Step 3. Enter your iPhone unlock passcode and follow the onscreen instructions to finish the process.

Method 6. Reset All Settings

If your iPhone is still stuck on Install now after you operate the above methods, you can consider resetting all settings to solve it. It will clear potentially corrupted temporary files and conflicting configurations without any data loss.

Step 1. Navigate to Settings > General.

Step 2. Scroll down to find Transfer or Reset iPhone section.

Step 3. Select Reset.

Step 4. Tap Reset All Settings at the top.

Step 5. Confirm with your password, and your iPhone will restart later.

Method 7. Use an iOS Repair Tool

When your iPhone gets stuck on Install Now during an iOS update and becomes unresponsive for hours, using a professional repair solution like MagFone iOS System Recovery provides a safe, efficient, and data-preserving way to restore normal functionality. It is a multifunctional tool that can help you fix iPhone stuck on Install Now issue as soon as possible, while not deleting any data on your iPhone. Now, follow the steps below to fix the issue of iPhone stuck on Install Now with MagFone iOS System Recovery.

Step 1 Link iPhone to Computer and Initiate MagFone

With a useful USB cable, you can establish the connection between your iPhone and computer. Then download and fire up MagFone iOS System Recovery. Next, select the iOS System Repair option on the main interface and click the Start button.

Step 2 Get iPhone into Recovery Mode

Choose to enter Standard Repair Mode on the next screen. Follow the onscreen instructions to boot your device into Recovery Mode.

Step 3 Download the Firmware Package for iPhone

Next, carefully check the device information appearing on the screen. If there is nothing wrong, click the Download button to download the firmware package for your iPhone.

Step 4Start to Fix iPhone Update Stuck on Install Now

After downloading the firmware package to your computer, you can click the Start Standard Repair button, and MagFone will unzip the firmware. Finally, MagFone software will resolve the issue on your iPhone.

Method 8. Restore iPhone with iTunes

Besides using a cost repair tool like MagFone iOS System Recovery, you can also choose the official method of fixing iPhone stuck on Install Now via iTunes on a PC or Finder on a Mac. But choosing the method of restoring iPhone with iTunes will cause data loss. However, iTunes can fix most issues related to iOS, including iPhone software stuck on Install Now. So backup your data in advance and then try this deeper method.

Step 1. After connecting your iPhone to iTunes, open iTunes and click the device icon.

Step 2. Click the Summary tab at the left and click the Restore iPhone button.

Step 3. Then your device will be synced with the computer before restoring.

Step 4. Click the Restore button again to fix the issue on your iPhone.

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Part 4. Alternative Ways to Update iPhone Over-the-Air

Updating your iPhone over-the-air can easily cover the shortcomings of updating your iPhone in Settings. So, you can update your iPhone via iTunes or MagFone iOS System Recovery even when your iPhone is stuck on Install Now.

Solution 1. Update iPhone via iTunes/Finder

Using iTunes or the Finder is a great option to update your iPhone on your computer. With the help of iTunes, you can download and install the latest iOS version on your iPhone within several minutes. Updating iPhone via iTunes will save your data safely, so you don't need to worry about data loss after updating iOS on your device. Here's how to.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer through a USB cable, then open iTunes on a Windows PC or the Finder window on a Mac.

Step 2. In iTunes or the Finder, click the device icon, then locate the Summary tab.

Step 3. In the Summary tab, click Check for Update and continue to click Download and Update.

Step 4. After downloading the update, click the Install Now button to initiate the update process.

Solution 2. Update iPhone via MagFone Software

Besides updating iPhone via iTunes, finding a reliable third-party is also a good choice. MagFone iOS System Recovery can not only repair various iOS issues but also help you update iOS versions with one click. If you want to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS 26, then you can consider using the MagFone iOS System directly. The method is easy and quick, especially useful for those newbies.

Step 1 Choose iOS Upgrade in MagFone Software

Launch MagFone iOS System Recovery on your computer, then connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Select Upgrade/Downgrade iOS on the home screen of the software, then click iOS Upgrade.

Step 2 Finish Upgrading iOS 18 on Your iPhone

After your device is detected by the software, check the device information. Then download the firmware package by clicking the Download button. When the firmware package is downloaded, click the Start Upgrade button.

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Part 5. Conclusion

Finding your iPhone stuck on Install Now may make you disappointed, but you are not alone. If you are suffering from the iPhone software update stuck on Install Now issue after downloading iOS 26 on your iPhone, simply try the above solutions now. But if you prefer a quick and safe method to fix the issue, you can directly use MagFone iOS System Recovery. It can also help you upgrade your iPhone to iOS 26 with one click. Use this professional and convenient tool now!