First, how long has it been there?
An Apple logo with a progress bar underneath means the phone is installing an update, and that can legitimately take twenty minutes or more. Interrupting it is the main way a routine update becomes a serious problem.
A logo with no progress bar for more than about ten minutes is a genuine hang. That is the distinction to make before touching anything.
Force restart
The single most effective fix. On iPhone 8 and later: press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the logo reappears. Earlier models use different combinations — our force restart guide covers each.
This erases nothing. If the phone boots normally afterwards, you are done. If it hangs at the logo again, continue.
Charge it and try again
A battery too low to complete boot produces exactly this symptom, and a phone that has been hanging for a while has drained further. Connect it to a proper charger — a wall adapter rather than a computer port — and leave it for at least thirty minutes before trying again.
This resolves more cases than its simplicity suggests, particularly on older phones with worn batteries.
Recovery mode with Update, not Restore
Connect the iPhone to a computer and enter recovery mode: the force restart sequence, but keep holding past the Apple logo until the recovery screen appears. The computer will offer Update or Restore.
Choose Update. It reinstalls iOS while keeping your data, and it fixes a corrupted system without costing you anything. Our recovery mode guide covers the sequence per model.
Restore, which erases
If Update fails, Restore is what remains. It wipes the device and installs a clean copy of iOS, and only a backup made beforehand brings your data back.
Our restore guide covers what comes back. If Restore also fails, DFU mode goes deeper — see our DFU guide.
When it is hardware
If a DFU restore fails, or the phone hangs again immediately after a successful restore, the problem is likely physical — storage, the logic board, or damage from liquid or a drop. Software cannot fix that.
A phone that got wet, was dropped, or has been running hot for a long time before this started is pointing at hardware. At that stage it is a service appointment rather than another restore attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait if my iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo?
With a progress bar, up to an hour — it is installing. With no progress bar, ten minutes is enough before force restarting.
Does fixing an Apple logo loop erase my iPhone?
Not necessarily. A force restart and recovery mode's Update option both preserve your data. Only Restore erases.
Why is my iPhone stuck on the Apple logo after an update?
Usually a corrupted install. Recovery mode with Update reinstalls iOS without touching your data and resolves most cases.
What if a restore does not fix it?
If a DFU restore fails too, the cause is likely hardware — storage or logic board damage — and needs service.