With the release of iOS 26, many Apple fans can't wait to update their iOS to the latest version. Some are attracted by new features, while others simply long to keep up with the trend. However, incidents may occur while trying to update the iOS system. Many users complain about their iPhone update stuck on Preparing Update. It takes much longer to prepare the downloading. Or worse, the iPhone is even frozen and can't function as expected. If you have come across the same issue, then you can find some feasible workarounds to fix iPhone stuck on Preparing Update in this guide. Continue to check them out!

• Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update?
• Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update
• Part 3. How to Update iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update
• Part 4. FAQs about iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update
• Part 5. Conclusion

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Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update?

When you see "Preparing Update" on your iPhone, it means the device has finished downloading the software file and is now decompressing, verifying, and unpacking it before the actual installation begins. This stage is the bridge between downloading the file and the actual installation. The speed depends on the update size, processor speed, and storage space.

However, many users find themselves staring at a progress bar that refuses to budge, trapped in the dread "Preparing Update" stage. If your iPhone screen is frozen on "Preparing Update" for hours, there would be a conflict between the downloaded update file and your phone's hardware or current software state. Here are some possible causes.

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Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update

Before diving into deeper settings, ensure your iPhone meets the basic criteria Apple requires to move past the "Preparing Update" stage. So, first, perform a quick check on your iPhone; then proceed to the deeper solutions to fix iPhone stuck on Preparing Update.

• Battery Life: Your iPhone will often pause the update if the battery is below 50%. Plug your iPhone into a charger immediately, or use wireless charging.
• WiFi Stability: The "Preparing" phase requires a constant handshake with Apple's servers. Turn off your Wi-Fi and turn it back on to refresh the signal.
• Server Congestion: During a major iOS release, Apple's server are under extreme load. Visit Apple's official System Status page to ensure Software Update normal.

Solution 1. Re-download the Update

The most common reason for an iPhone being stuck on "Preparing Update" is a corrupted download file. Instead of waiting for it to fix itself, the most effective solution is to delete the update file and start fresh.

Step 1. Go to Settings and tap General.

Step 2. Choose iPhone Storage, then find the iOS update file.

Step 3. Tap it and select Delete Update.

Step 4. Go back to General > Software Update and attempt to download it again.

Solution 2. Force Restart iPhone

If the system on your iPhone is lagging or the "Preparing Update" screen on your iPhone is frozen, a force restart clears the temporary cache without deleting your data. This sometimes works for fixing iPhone stuck on Preparing Update.

For iPhone 8 and Later:

Press and then release the volume up button. Then press and release the volume down button. Press the side button till the phone restarts.

For iPhone 7 and SE:

Press the power button and volume down button at the same time. When the Apple Logo appears on the screen, release your hands.

For iPhone 6 and Earlier Models:

Hold both the home button and power button. Release when your iPhone reboots.

Solution 3. Release iPhone Storage

The "Preparing" phase involves unpacking and verifying large files. Even if the update is only 2GB, your iPhone typically needs 10–15GB of free space to successfully swap the old system files for the new ones. Go to check the storage condition of your iPhone.

Step 1. Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

Step 2. See your storage, then scroll down to check each app's condition.

Step 3. Choose to uninstall apps or delete data of undesired apps. Or enable Offload Unused Apps to free up storage space.

Solution 4. Disable Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode is designed to save battery by reducing background activity. But "Preparing Update" is a resource-intensive process, involving unpacking large files and verifying encrypted data. Low Power Mode can frequently stall or pause the progress to save energy.

Step 1. Open Settings > Battery.

Step 2. Toggle Low Power Mode to OFF.

Solution 5. Refresh the Network

The "Preparing" phase isn't just an offline task; your iPhone must constantly communicate with Apple's "signing" servers to verify that the update file is legitimate. Toggling Airplane Mode forces the device to disconnect and re-establish a fresh handshake with your router and Apple's servers.

Step 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.

Step 2. Tap the Airplane icon so it turns orange and wait about 10 seconds.

Step 3. Tap the icon again to turn it off.

Solution 6. Reset Network Settings

Sometimes, your iPhone is stuck on Preparing Update because it cannot verify the update with Apple's signing servers due to a DNS or network configuration error. In this case, resetting network settings is a workaround for this issue.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 2. Tap Reset and select Reset Network Settings.

Step 3. Enter the screen passcode and tap Reset to confirm.

Solution 7. Use an iOS System Recovery

If deleting the update file and resetting the network don't work, the issue likely lies within the iOS system software itself. When the "Preparing Update" phase triggers a loop or a total freeze, standard settings-based fixes may be inaccessible. In these cases, using a dedicated tool like MagFone iOS System Recovery can be a logical next step.

Unlike a simple restart, MagFone iOS System Recovery is a quick fix for iPhone being stuck on preparing updates. No matter what the reason is, MagFone can repair instantly. There's no need for you to figure out the exact reason of iPhone update stuck on Preparing Update. Follow the steps below to fix this issue quickly with MagFone.

Step 1 Connect Your Device to the Computer to Start

First, you can download the MagFone program. Connect your iPhone to the computer via a cable. Then open the program to click iOS System Repair and click Screen Stuck.

Step 2 Select Standard Mode to Fix iPhone Update Stuck

Then click Standard Mode on the screen. This step will cause no data loss. So, please be comfortable to click Standard Mode. If your device isn't detected by the program, then please put your device into DFU Mode as shown on the screen.

Step 3 Download and Verify Firmware Package

To achieve iOS system repair, MagFone will download the necessary firmware package for your iPhone. When it finishes, the program will verify the package automatically. Then you can go to the next step.

Step 4Begin Repairing and Keep the Connection

Now you can click to start Standard Repair on the program and let it unzip the firmware package for you. When the screen shows Done, it means that the recovery is completed. You can try to update your iPhone now.

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Part 3. How to Update iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update

When the standard "over-the-air" update fails, moving the process to a computer is the most reliable way to bypass local software glitches. This shifts the heavy lifting like downloading, unpacking, and verifying the update from your iPhone to your desktop. Here are two options for you to update an iPhone stuck on Preparing Update.

Solution 1. Update iPhone with iTunes

Using iTunes is the standard alternative when an iPhone's internal update system stalls. Since the computer downloads the full firmware file directly from Apple, it often ignores the "Preparing Update" hang happening on the device.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable.

Step 2. Launch iTunes on a Windows PC or Finder on a Macbook.

Step 3. Click the device icon in the top-left of iTunes or select your device from the Finder sidebar.

Step 4. Click the Summary tab on the menu and select Check for Update.

Step 5. Click Download and Update. Keep your phone connected until the process finishes.

Solution 2. Update iPhone with MagFone iOS System Recovery

If iTunes fails to recognize your device or throws an error like Error 14, the problem might be a deeper system glitch or a corrupted partition. MagFone iOS System Recovery is a specialized tool that can solve the "Preparing Update" hang by refreshing the entire iOS architecture without wiping your personal data. Also, it supports updating an iPhone without iTunes.

Step 1 Launch MagFone Software on a Computer

To begin with, launch MagFone iOS System Recovery on your computer and click the Upgrade/Downgrade iOS option on the screen. Then click iOS Upgrade.

Step 2 Download and Verify the Firmware Package

After selecting the iOS upgrade button, check the device information shown on the computer, then click Download to finish downloading the firmware.

Step 3 Start to Upgrade iOS on the iPhone

Once the firmware has been downloaded, you can prepare to upgrade the iOS 18 on your iPhone. Here, you only need to click the Start Upgrade button and MagFone iOS System Recovery will automatically complete the task.

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Part 4. FAQs about iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update

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Part 5. Conclusion

The "Preparing Update" stage is the most resource-intensive part of the iOS journey. By ensuring you have ample storage and a stable system firmware, you can resolve 95% of update errors. If your iPhone is stuck on Preparing Update, follow the methods introduced in this guide to fix this issue. It is worth mentioning that MagFone iOS System Recovery is such a useful tool to fix iPhone stuck on Preparing Update quickly and safely. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!