Fix iPhone Stuck on “Update Requested” Without Losing Data

Your iPhone is usually not installing iOS when it shows “Update Requested”; it is waiting to start the download. A brief wait is normal, but if the message remains for several hours on reliable Wi-Fi, reconnect to the network, charge and restart the iPhone, then delete only the pending update package and try again. These steps should preserve your photos, messages, apps, and other data; do not erase or restore the iPhone unless Apple Support advises it.

Is your iPhone actually stuck on “Update Requested”?

Update Requested

This status appears after you choose Download and Install or enable an automatic update. The iPhone has contacted Apple and is waiting to begin downloading iOS. It has not started installing the update.

A short wait is normal, especially when a major iOS release has just become available. Leave the iPhone connected to reliable Wi-Fi and power while it waits. If the message has not changed after several hours, or remains unchanged after a restart and a connection to reliable Wi-Fi, treat the request as stalled.

Do not erase the iPhone or repeatedly force it to shut down while it only shows Update Requested. A normal restart does not remove personal data, but an erase or restore does.

Check these blockers before forcing anything

These checks apply to supported iPhone models running a current version of iOS. You need only the normal iPhone passcode or Face ID authentication; Administrator or sudo privileges are not required. A restart may be needed, but do not erase the phone. If you have a recent backup, keep it available before attempting a major update.

Start with these safe checks:

• Wi-Fi: Open Wi-Fi settings and confirm that the iPhone is connected to a reliable private network. Avoid captive-portal networks that require a browser sign-in, weak signals, public Wi-Fi, and networks that block Apple update traffic. If other devices also have trouble connecting, restart the router or try another trusted network.

Settings > Wi-Fi

• Power: Connect the iPhone to a charger. A low battery can prevent the update from proceeding, and charging reduces the risk of interruption.
• Storage: Check the available space. A nearly full iPhone might not be able to download or unpack the update, even when the update itself appears small. Remove or offload large, replaceable items only if necessary. Do not delete photos unless they are safely backed up.

Settings > General > iPhone Storage

• Compatibility: An older iPhone might not support the iOS version being offered. Compare the model with Apple’s compatibility list for that release. An unsupported model cannot complete that update.
• Apple service status: Check Apple’s System Status page from another device. If Software Update or a related service shows an outage, wait for service to return instead of repeatedly retrying.
• Management restrictions: A workplace or school might manage the iPhone and delay, restrict, or schedule updates. Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, or ask the organization’s administrator. Do not remove a management profile unless the organization tells you to.

What to do when “Update Requested” will not move

Use these fixes in order. They act on the iPhone and should leave your personal data intact.

1. Reconnect to Wi-Fi. Turn Wi-Fi off, wait briefly, turn it back on, and select the network again. Enter its password if requested. Keep the iPhone connected to power, then return to Software Update.

Settings > Wi-Fi
Settings > General > Software Update

The update should change from Update Requested to a download progress indicator. If it does not, try another trusted Wi-Fi network before continuing.

2. Restart the iPhone normally. On an iPhone with Face ID, press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. On an iPhone with a Home button, press and hold the side or top button until the slider appears. Turn the phone off, wait for it to shut down, then turn it on and reconnect to Wi-Fi and power.

A normal restart does not erase data. If the iPhone will not respond to the slider, use a force restart only because the screen is unresponsive, not to interrupt an active installation.

3. Check the battery and charging connection. Use a working cable and power adapter, and leave the iPhone charging while you request the update again. If the battery is very low, let it charge before retrying.
4. Delete the pending update file if it appears in iPhone Storage. This removes only the downloaded update package, not your photos, apps, messages, or other personal files.

Delete only an entry clearly identified as an iOS update package. Removing an app can delete that app’s locally stored data.

Settings > General > iPhone Storage

Find an entry named iOS [version], tap it, choose Delete Update, and confirm. Restart the iPhone, connect it to reliable Wi-Fi and power, then return to Software Update and choose Download and Install again. If no iOS update entry appears, skip this step; the download might not have created a removable package.

The expected result is a fresh download that progresses beyond Update Requested. If the status still does not change, use a Mac or PC.

5. Update with a Mac or PC. Back up the iPhone first if possible. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, connect the iPhone with a cable, open Finder, select the iPhone, choose General, and select Check for Update. On a Mac running an older macOS version, use iTunes. On Windows, install or open the current Apple Devices app, connect the iPhone, select it, and choose the option to check for an update. Choose Update, not Restore, when prompted.

The computer should download and install iOS without erasing the iPhone. If it does not detect the device, try another cable or USB port, unlock the iPhone, and accept Trust This Computer if asked. If the update fails, record the exact message before trying recovery mode.

How to tell whether the update worked—and when to stop

After the iPhone restarts, check the installed version instead of relying on the original update screen.

Settings > General > About > iOS Version
Settings > General > Software Update

The About screen should show the new iOS version. Software Update should say that iOS is up to date, or offer only a newer version. You might need to enter your passcode after the restart and allow a few minutes for apps and services to finish settling.

Once the iPhone shows an Apple logo with a progress bar, leave it connected to power. Do not unplug it, force-restart it, or close the computer’s update process because the bar appears slow. Interrupting an active installation can leave the iPhone unable to start normally.

If the iPhone is frozen on the Apple logo, shows a connect-to-computer screen, or the computer reports that it must be updated or restored, use recovery mode. Connect it to a Mac or PC, open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, and use the button sequence for your model to enter recovery mode. When the computer offers Update or Restore, try Update first; it reinstalls iOS while attempting to preserve your data. Restore erases the iPhone. Use it only after confirming that you have a backup or receiving guidance from Apple Support.

Contact Apple Support or an Apple service provider if recovery mode cannot complete the update, the iPhone repeatedly returns to the recovery screen, the computer shows an unknown or hardware-related error, or you cannot make a backup. Have the iPhone model, current iOS version, and exact error message ready.

How to avoid the same update stall next time

Before starting another iOS update, leave comfortable free space on the iPhone rather than waiting until storage is nearly full. Review large videos, downloaded media, and unused apps, and back up important data to iCloud or a computer before a major update.

Use a stable private Wi-Fi network and connect the iPhone to power. Do not begin the update while traveling, on a weak signal, or through a network that requires a browser login. If Apple has just released a major iOS version, waiting until later in the day or another day can reduce the chance of server congestion.

Keep the iPhone on a supported iOS release and check for device-management rules if it belongs to an employer or school. Automatic Updates can help keep the phone current, but they still need available storage, Wi-Fi, and power to finish.

Conclusion

Reconnect to reliable Wi-Fi, charge the iPhone, and restart it first. If `Update Requested` still does not change, delete only the pending iOS update from iPhone Storage and download it again. Use Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes next, choose `Update` before `Restore`, and contact Apple Support if recovery mode fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting the iOS update erase my photos?

No. Deleting the clearly identified update entry from iPhone Storage removes the downloaded installation package, not your photos, messages, apps, or other personal data. Check the name before deleting anything.

Can I use cellular data to get past “Update Requested”?

Software updates generally require Wi-Fi, although some iPhone models and carrier settings support certain downloads over cellular data. Reliable Wi-Fi is the safer choice, especially for a major iOS release.

What if my iPhone has no free storage?

Back up first, then remove replaceable downloads or offload unused apps to free space. Do not delete personal photos or files unless you have confirmed that they are safely backed up.

Should I choose Restore when a computer detects the iPhone?

No, not as the first option. Choose `Update` when it is available. `Restore` erases the iPhone, so use it only after confirming a backup or following Apple Support’s instructions.