iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro froze during update to 26.4.1

[cobra521]

Just tried to update my iPhone 16 Pro to 26.4.1 (at least I think that's the version number) and it froze with a horizontal thermometer progress bar that looks to be about 5% or so done.

I was using the Apple Devices app on my Windows 11 PC.

Any words of wisdom about how to correct this problem?

Tom

 

[aihpcfl]

I'm not sure about words of wisdom. I quit Windows a few years ago, but still, I would have been very hesitant to perform an iOS update that way.

I assume you have left it as is for a while to see if it makes progress. If it really is frozen, do you have a way to reload the OS on the phone? I've done it once, and I used my MacBook Air to do it. I'm sure that isn't the only possible way, but you can research that, in case that is where you find yourself at this point. If you terminate the upgrade process, you may find the device boots up ok, boots up with an error, or is unable to boot. Pay attention to any error messages and write them down so you can use search as part of troubleshooting. All depends on the situation you find.

The latest public release is 26.4. I'm not sure what you were trying to install if you really picked 26.4.1.

 

[cobra521]

aihpcfl,

Thank you for the reply. I have been updating the phone's OS from this PC for years - if I count the prior iPhones.

It now shows an error message. The first one was (9) 130A.000

I looked the error up on the net and got essentially no help.

After going to Apple's site I was informed that Apple help was available - tomorrow!

The site did say to reboot (hit up vol, down vol then hold on/off) which I've now done twice. The first time instead of 5% it went to about halfway, then gave a different error. The second time it went back to 5%, then gave the same error again...

I tried another cable - same result.

Wonderful...

Tom

 

[aihpcfl]

I found some information via AI. Rules don't allow copy and paste, so following are what I believe are the highlights. Caveat: Doublecheck the OS version you are trying to install. The latest public version is 26.4. If you were trying to install 26.4.1 and 26.4 is an option, choose 26.4 and try again.

The error you report indicate USB disconnect during restore/update handshake.

Possible causes:

1. iOS 26.4.1 not publicly released (or no longer signed, or not supported by the Apple Devices app)
2. USB port (try different port, don't use hub)
3. Security software (disable antivirus)

My bet is on the iOS version you were trying to install.

 

[okkibs]

You can place the device in recovery mode (DFU mode) and use a computer to wipe and reinstall iOS. Here are the instructions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118106

You will see a choice between restoring and updating. You should try updating first and if that doesn't fix the issue you need to start over and choose restore next time. This will actually reset the device to factory defaults so anything not synced and not included in your backup will be gone for good afterwards.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

DFU mode should get it working again.

Going forward, I recommend using Settings > General > Software Update rather than using the computer. You're adding complexities (USB communications, etc) that are unnecessary.

 

[cobra521]

Well, unless there was something sneaked in - like one of the rootkits - all seems OK now.

I used Recovery (from the PC app) to put the phone back to its original state - bald as a cueball - and then restored from the latest backup, also from the PC.

It doesn't seem anything is missing so I can express relief and get back to my regularly scheduled program.

I won't get that hour back but at least the iphone seems OK so far.

Wonder what actually took place? I've done that same process with the same phone probably ten times without any hiccups until today...

Tom

 

[AppleWes]

Are you on a beta release?
*as someone else mentioned the latest public version is 26.4 not 26.4.1

Honestly I would not use a computer to update phone. Over the air WiFi works fine (and I just can't risk beta bugs on my only main phone but to each his own.)

 

[Macdctr]

You should be doing all your iOS updates over your home WiFi, not thru any Windows computer or any computer for that matter. I have never updated the iOS on any of my iPhones using a computer. Even Developer releases.

 

[cobra521]

AppleWes,

Not on a beta that I actively chose - maybe Apple decided to try one on my phone? Always use the production version.

AppleWes & Macdctr,

Don't use wifi to update if I have the PC handy. Thankfully I can do a full backup to the PC before I do any update - that way I think I have a copy that's up to date in case I have to restore. Which is exactly what I did in this case. Never had to do it before so glad it worked properly this time!

Tom