5 Fixes to iOS 18/iOS 18 Beta Stuck on Preparing Update

All compatible iPhone models (iPhone X/SE 2nd and later) can now download the latest iOS 18 update from Apple, which brings a ton of new features and significant improvements to AI. Additionally, the company has made developer betas available; they are essential if you want to test out the new Apple Intelligence capabilities. We may, however, experience a “Preparing Update” update issue and the screen gets stuck.

 

In this guide, we’ll cover all possible causes to iOS 18/iOS 18 Beta stuck on preparing update, as well as possible solutions to fix the issue. Let’s get started.

Why Is Your iPhone Stuck on the iOS Update Screen?

Before diving into the fixes, it’s essential to understand why your iPhone might be stuck on the iOS update screen. There are several potential reasons for this issue:

• Insufficient Storage Space: The update requires a certain amount of free storage space. If your device doesn't have enough space, the update process might get stuck.

• Network Issues: A stable internet connection is crucial for downloading and preparing the update. Poor or unstable network connectivity can cause delays or interruptions.

• Software Bugs: Glitches and bugs in the current iOS version or the beta update can lead to the device getting stuck.

• Server Issues: During major updates, Apple’s servers might experience heavy traffic, causing delays and interruptions in the update process.

• Corrupted Update File: Sometimes, the downloaded update file might get corrupted, leading to issues during the installation.

Understanding these reasons can help you identify the appropriate solution to fix the issue.

5 Fixes to iOS 18/iOS Beta Stuck on Preparing Update

Here are several solutions to fix your iPhone stuck on preparing update iOS 18 or iOS 18 Beta. Go through the solutions one after another until your issue gets fixed.

1# Check Internet Connection

A stable and fast internet connection is essential for the update process. Here are some tips you can try to ensure your connection is stable.

·  Switch to Wi-Fi: If you are using mobile data, switch to a Wi-Fi network as it is generally more stable and faster.

·  Restart Router: Restart your router to resolve any connectivity issues.

·  Move Closer to Router: Ensure you are within range of your Wi-Fi router to get a strong signal.

·  Avoid Public Networks: Public Wi-Fi networks can be slow and unreliable. Use a private network for updating.

• Reset Network Settings
If you are sure that there is something wrong with your iPhone internet connection, you can try reset network settings to fix connectivity issues that cause the update to get stuck.

Go to iPhone Settings app > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. When prompted, enter your passcode to confirm your operation.

This will factory reset all your network settings on iPhone but not erase any iPhone data or content.

2# Free Up iPhone Storage Space

If your iPhone storage is almost full, the update might get stuck. Freeing up your iPhone space can solve the issue. Here’s how you can free up space from iPhone.

• Delete Unused Apps: The easiest and quickest way to free up iPhone storage space is to uninstall apps you no longer need or use. By deleting certain useless applications from your iPhone, you may quickly free up roughly 1 GB of additional space.

• Clear App Caches: Do not want to uninstall apps, you can also try to clear app caches and temporary data from iPhone Settings app to get more iPhone space.

Just go to the Settings app > General > iPhone Storage to find out which apps are taking up the most space. Go to certain app and press Delete Documents and Data to make it.

You can also free up iPhone storage space by deleting unwanted data from your iPhone, but please remember to backup iPhone in case you lost important files.

3# Force Restart iPhone

Force restarting your iPhone can fix minor software glitches that might be causing the iOS 18/iOS 18 Beta stuck on preparing to update. Follow the steps below to force restart your iPhone.

• For iPhone XR and later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.

• For iPhone SE: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button. When the Apple logo shows up, release both buttons.

4# Delete and Re-download the Update

Chances are that the update file is corrupted so that your iPhone stuck on preparing update screen. In this case, you can try deleting the update file and re-downloading it to resolve the issue.

Step 1. Go to iPhone Settings app > General > Choose iPhone Storage.

Step 2. Scroll down to locate and tap the iOS update file > Tap on Delete Update and confirm the deletion.

When it is finished, you can go back to Software Update to re-download and install the updated iOS version to check whether your issue gets fixed.

5# Update to iOS 18/iOS 18 Beta Using iTunes

If none of the solution above works, you can rely on iTunes to update your iPhone. iTunes is not only a powerful tool for media files management, but also a nice option to update your iPhone. Here’s how to do with it.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer via USB > Launch the latest version of iTunes > Go to Summary > Click Check for Update.

Step 2. When a window prompts, click Download and Update, and enter the passcode to start the process.

Bonus: Regular Backup iPhone Data via FoneTool

To prevent data loss during updates or other issues, it's crucial to regularly back up your iPhone data. FoneTool is a powerful and user-friendly tool that can help you backup and restore your iPhone data with ease.

It offers both Full Backup and Selective Backup services, enabling you to keep all iOS data safe in different scenarios. The fast speed and user-friendly interface make the backup process as simple as ABC.

Free download FoneTool by clicking the icon below, and let’s have an overview of how to selectively backup iPhone with it.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer with a compatible USB cable. You may need to tap Trust on iPhone.

Step 2. In the Home screen of FoneTool, click Phone Backup > Get to Selective Backup and click Get Started to begin. 

Step 3. Make sure you have clicked each icon to select the files you want to backup to computer, then click OK.

Step 4. Choose a storage path as you like > Click Start Backup to make it.

Summary

That’s also the solutions to iOS 18/iOS Beta stuck on preparing update. Hopefully, you can resolve the problem and successfully update your device. Additionally, using FoneTool to regularly back up your iPhone data ensures that you never lose your important information, providing a reliable and efficient solution for data protection.