iOS 16 Stuck on Preparing Update? What Does it Mean and How to Fix?

If you have ever manually updated the newest iOS version, like iOS 16 on your iPhone, you may figure out iOS update issues such as your iPhone getting stuck on the preparing update screen. This can happen due to reasons like there may be a software or hardware issue on your phone that is preventing the update from being fully prepared.

Apple released the latest iOS 16 in the medium of September this year. Regardless of why the issue has occurred, you may probably be looking for ways to fix the iPhone getting stuck on the preparing update screen issue and successfully update to iOS 16. This guide covers some of the working methods for you to fix your iPhone update stuck issue. You should then be able to update your device without any issues.

What Does Preparing Update Mean?

Preparing for an update is one of the phases that your iPhone goes through when you try to download and install an update on your device. Once an update is downloaded, it needs to be prepared for certain things before it can be installed on your phone.

iOS preparing update process should only take a few minutes to finish. However, due to certain issues, it can take longer than that. If you are finding that this phase is taking much longer than it should, it is usually due to a partially downloaded update file or an issue with your Internet connection, or a minor glitch on your current iOS version. That can prevent new updates from being installed on your phone.

Besides, it might be that there is physical damage to your device. This can cause your iPhone to function in some unexpected ways and this can have an effect on how your iPhone downloads, prepares, and installs updates. It is highly likely that you are going to need to bring your phone to a repair shop to get it fixed.

First, check the below methods to repair software problems and get prepared updates stuck fixed.

How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Preparing Updates

We give you 3 feasible methods to solve the iPhone stuck on preparing updates problem. Choose one and fix your problem now!

Method 1. Delete Previous Update File

One of the reasons why your iPhone is stuck on preparing an update screen is that the downloaded update is corrupted. Something went wrong while you were downloading the update and that caused the update file not to remain intact. In this case, it is the update file that is causing your iPhone to stay stuck on a screen.

Your iPhone has a menu where it allows you to view the downloaded updates. On this screen, you can actually find your recently downloaded update and even delete it. Deleting the update is one way to fix the issue on your phone and you are highly recommended to do it.

Once you have deleted the update, you will need to re-download it on your phone. This is the main disadvantage of this method, and if you are fine with it, the following is how you perform this method.

1. Open the Settings app > Click General.
2. Tap on the option that says iPhone Storage to view your iPhone’s storage details.
3. Find your iOS 16 update file, tap on it, and select Delete Update on the following screen. The update file will be removed from your device.
4. You then need to head into Settings > General > Software Update to redownload the update to your iPhone.

Method 2. One-Click Fix iPhone Stuck on Preparing Updates

If deleting the updating files or restarting your iOS device didn’t work for you, you may have encountered some iOS issues. If so, you will need a powerful system repair tool – PhoneRescue for iOS, which is designed to fix the common core system issues and rescue essential data of your iOS device.

With PhoneRescue for iOS, you can easily fix various iOS/iPadOS problems, including iPhone stuck on update requested, iPhone won’t update, iPhone stuck in Recovery mode, iPhone black screen, etc. PhoneRescue for iOS is as easy as using any other basic tool. Check some of its main features below.

Step 1. Download PhoneRescue for iOS and install it on your computer > Plug your iPhone into your computer and select Repair iOS System.

Step 2. The tool will let you select a mode to repair your device. Read the brief information about each mode and select the one that works for you.

Step 3. Finish the step-by-step steps and your iPhone will be free from any update issues.

Method 3. Check Network Conditions

Another possible reason why your new iPhone is stuck on preparing updates is that there are issues with your network settings. This often causes issues like the one you are currently experiencing on your phone.

There are various reasons why your iPhone has network issues. It may be that there is an issue with your router. In that case, you will need to fix your router to get the Internet working on your iPhone. It may also be that the network settings are not properly configured on your iPhone. Also, you or someone else may have changed these settings and they are now causing the issue on your phone.

One of the easiest ways to get around any network issues on your iPhone is to reset your network settings. When you do this, your iPhone resets all the network settings to the factory defaults. All the changes that you have made to your settings will be gone. This way, you can clear up any problematic configuration and fix issues on your iPhone.

Keep in mind that this will reset your good settings as well. If you are fine with this drawback, the following is how to reset the settings.

1. Access the Settings app > Open General.
2. Tap on Reset to view the reset settings for your device.
3. Hit the Reset Network Settings option to reset all your network settings.

Your iPhone should now connect to the Internet and download updates without any issues.

How to Avoid iPhone Stuck on Preparing iOS Update Again?

Except for fixing iOS/iPadOS/tvOS software issues, AnyFix also allows you to update the latest iOS 15 or beta version with ease. To avoid getting your iPhone stuck when you are preparing updates again, you can definitely use AnyFix – iOS system recovery to get later versions updated. This is the safest way to install an iOS without getting your phone stuck.

All you need to do is download AnyFix and let it update iOS with just a few steps listed below.

Step 1. Launch AnyFix on your computer > Go to the homepage of AnyFix and choose the Upgrade/Downgrade iOS panel for your need.

Step 2. Select 1 click to upgrade iOS/iPadOS and head to Start Now button.

Step 3. Then choose one iOS version you want to get and download it. Click the Upgrade button to continue.

Step 4. Once the upgrading process is completed, you will see the Upgrade Completed page.

The Bottom Line

Your iPhone can get stuck on the preparing for an update screen for several reasons. You don’t have to panic, though, as there are various ways to fix this issue. Among them, we recommend you get PhoneRescue for iOS to fix the iPhone stuck on preparing update issue and update your iPhone/iPad with a few clicks. Therefore, the problem will not occur again.