Fix Stuck on Preparing iPhone for Restore

If your iPhone is stuck on “Preparing iPhone for restore” during a Finder or iTunes restore, the fix is usually to force-quit the software, restart both devices, and retry with a different cable or port. This article walks you through the most reliable solutions, explains why the error happens, and answers common questions about restoring iPhones.

Why Does “Preparing iPhone for Restore” Get Stuck?

The “Preparing iPhone for restore” message appears while Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS) is downloading the iOS software and getting your device ready for the restore process. This phase can take several minutes, especially on slow internet connections, because the full firmware file (often 5–7 GB) must download before the restore begins.

When it gets stuck, the usual culprits are:

Software glitches – Finder or iTunes may hang while communicating with the iPhone.
USB issues – A faulty cable, a damaged port, or a hub can interrupt the connection.
Outdated software – An old version of iTunes or macOS may not support the iOS version you’re trying to install.
Security software – Antivirus or firewall programs on Windows can block the download or the connection.
Corrupted download – A partial or corrupt firmware file can cause the process to stall.

Understanding these causes helps you target the fix that works for your situation.

Basic Fixes That Usually Resolve the Stuck Screen

Before diving into advanced steps, try these simple actions. They resolve a large percentage of stuck restore issues.

Force-quit Finder or iTunes. On a Mac, right-click the app in the Dock and select Quit, or press Command+Option+Escape and choose Force Quit. On Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find iTunes, and click End Task.
Restart your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. After about 30 seconds, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Restart your computer. A fresh start clears temporary glitches in the operating system and USB drivers.
Try a different USB port. Use a port directly on the computer (avoid hubs). If you’re on a Mac laptop, try the other side’s port.
Use a different cable. Ideally, use the original Apple cable or a certified third-party one. Damaged or non-certified cables often cause connection drops.
Check your internet connection. The firmware download can be large; a stable, fast connection helps avoid timeouts.

After each step, retry the restore. If it still hangs, move on to the more specific solutions below.

Update Finder or iTunes and Check System Compatibility

An outdated Finder or iTunes version is a common reason for restore failures. Apple regularly updates these apps to support new iOS versions and fix bugs.

On macOS: Open System Settings (or System Preferences) and go to Software Update. Install any pending updates. Finder updates come through macOS updates.
On Windows: Open Microsoft Store, go to Library, and check for updates for iTunes. Alternatively, download the latest version from Apple’s website.
Check your operating system: Ensure your computer meets the minimum requirements for the iOS version you’re restoring. For example, restoring a newer iPhone may require a recent macOS or Windows version.

If you’re using an older Mac that can’t update to a recent macOS, you might need to use a different computer or consider an older iOS version (if available).

Use Recovery Mode or DFU Mode to Bypass the Stuck Screen

If the restore is stuck during preparation, your iPhone may not be communicating properly with the computer. Putting the device into recovery mode or DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode forces a fresh connection.

Recovery Mode (safe and recommended first):

Connect your iPhone to the computer and open Finder or iTunes.
Force restart your iPhone while it’s connected:
- iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears (a computer icon with a cable).
- iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button and the Volume Down button simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.
- iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button together until the recovery mode screen appears.
On your computer, a dialog should appear: “There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.” Click Restore.

DFU Mode (more advanced, use if recovery mode fails): DFU mode puts the iPhone in a state where it can be restored without loading the operating system. The steps vary by model, but generally:

Connect to the computer.
For iPhone 8 or later: Press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button for 10 seconds, then while still holding Side, press and hold Volume Down for 5 seconds, then release Side but keep holding Volume Down for 10 more seconds. If done correctly, the screen stays black.
Your computer should detect a device in recovery mode. Choose Restore.

DFU mode can be finicky; if you don’t get the black screen, try again. If you accidentally go into recovery mode, just force restart again to exit.

Disable Security Software and Check USB Drivers (Windows)

On Windows, third-party security software often interferes with the restore process. Antivirus programs may quarantine parts of the iOS download or block the connection to Apple’s servers.

Temporarily disable antivirus and firewall. Right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray and choose “Disable” or “Pause protection.” Also, temporarily turn off Windows Defender Firewall (via Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Turn off). Remember to re-enable them after the restore.
Update USB drivers. Open Device Manager, expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers,” right-click each USB Root Hub, and select “Update driver.” You can also uninstall the Apple Mobile Device USB driver and then reconnect your iPhone to let Windows reinstall it.
Reinstall Apple Mobile Device Support. Sometimes the USB driver gets corrupted. Uninstall iTunes and all Apple software (via Control Panel > Programs and Features), then reinstall the latest iTunes from Apple’s website. This refreshes all drivers.

If you’re on a Mac, security software is less likely to interfere, but you can still try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) if you’re using a desktop Mac or a MacBook with an Intel processor.

Clear Corrupted Download Files and Check Storage Space

If the firmware download gets corrupted, Finder or iTunes may hang while preparing. Deleting the partial download forces a fresh start.

On macOS: Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, and type ~/Library/iTunes/ (or ~/Library/Application Support/Finder/ for newer versions). Look for a folder named “iPhone Software Updates” and delete its contents. Then restart Finder and retry.
On Windows: Open File Explorer and go to %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates. Delete any files there. If you’re using the Microsoft Store version of iTunes, the path may be under %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\AppleInc.iTunes_nzyj5cx40acqa\LocalCache\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates.
Check free storage space. The iOS firmware file is several gigabytes, so your computer needs enough free space to download and extract it. Ensure you have at least 10–15 GB free.

After clearing the cache, restart your computer and try the restore again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should “Preparing iPhone for restore” take?

Typically, the preparation phase takes 5–10 minutes, depending on your internet speed and computer performance. If it takes longer than 20–30 minutes without any progress, it’s likely stuck.

Will I lose my data if I restore my iPhone?

Yes, restoring your iPhone erases all data and settings. However, if you have a recent iCloud or computer backup, you can restore your data after the restore completes. If the restore is being done to fix a software issue, you might be able to choose “Update” instead of “Restore” to keep your data, but that option may not always be available.

Can I fix the stuck restore without a computer?

No, restoring an iPhone requires a computer with Finder or iTunes. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can try using iCloud to erase your device, but that won’t fix a software corruption that requires a full restore.

What if my iPhone is stuck in recovery mode after the restore fails?

If the restore fails and your iPhone stays on the recovery mode screen, you can try the “Update” option in Finder/iTunes (which may preserve data) or simply repeat the restore process. If it fails repeatedly, try a different computer or cable.

Is there a way to bypass the “Preparing” phase entirely?

No, the preparation phase is necessary for the software to download and verify the firmware. However, you can speed it up by using a fast, stable internet connection and a USB 3.0 or higher port.

Why does my iPhone keep disconnecting during restore?

Frequent disconnections are usually caused by a faulty cable, a loose port, or USB power management settings. On Windows, you can disable USB selective suspend in Power Options. On a Mac, try a different port or reset the SMC.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →