Is your iPhone frozen on the Apple logo and refusing to move past it? You’re not alone. This issue shows up out of nowhere and locks you out of your phone. Whether it’s caused by a software glitch, failed update, or hardware issue, it feels like your iphone loading screen is stuck in limbo.
But don’t panic. In most cases, you can fix it yourself without needing a new device. This guide will walk you through five ways to get your iPhone working again—from simple resets to more advanced solutions like DFU Mode.
Let’s start with the easiest fix and work our way up.
1. Quick Fix: Try the Button-Press Method
Start with the simplest move. If your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo, try pressing and holding Volume Down and the Power (Side) button at the same time. Keep holding until the Apple logo disappears and then reappears. Release the buttons and give your iPhone a few seconds.
This method works best for iPhones that have frozen due to a temporary glitch. It doesn’t erase any data—think of it as a quick refresh. Many users report it clears a stubborn “iphone 7 frozen on apple logo” warning or the frustrating “apple logo appears and disappears iphone” loop.
If nothing happens after 30 seconds, don’t worry. You still have more tools to try. Move on to a hard reset.
2. Hard Reset Your iPhone (iPhone 8 and Later)
A hard reset forces your iPhone to restart at a deeper system level. If your device is iPhone 8 or newer, follow this button sequence:
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side (Power) button until you see the Apple logo again.
This often clears bugs caused by apps or incomplete updates without deleting your files. It’s one of the fastest ways to solve an “iphone 8 stuck apple logo” crisis or to free a handset halted on the iphone loading screen.
iPhone still frozen? Keep going—there are model-specific resets for older devices and deeper software tools.
3. For Older iPhones: Use the Home-Button Reset
If you’re using an older iPhone—like the iPhone 6, 6s, or 7—your reset method is slightly different. These models have a physical Home button.
- Press and hold the Home button and the Power (Side/Top) button together.
- Keep holding until the screen turns black and the Apple logo reappears.
This simple combo often revives a handset flagged as “apple iphone 7 stuck on apple logo” or reported with an “apple logo stuck on iphone 7” fault. If the phone still refuses to boot, you’re probably dealing with deeper software issues—time for Recovery Mode.
4. Use Recovery Mode and iTunes/Finder to Restore
Recovery Mode lets you update or restore your iPhone through a computer.
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC.
- Force-restart the phone while it’s connected:
- iPhone 8 or newer: Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side.
- iPhone 7: hold Volume Down + Side.
- iPhone 6s or earlier: hold Home + Side.
When your screen shows the laptop-and-cable icon, iTunes (or Finder on newer macOS) will offer Update or Restore. Try Update first to keep your data. If that fails, choose Restore (this will wipe everything).
Recovery Mode is the go-to fix when the apple logo appears and disappears iphone repeatedly or the iphone loading screen stalls during an iOS update.
5. Last Resort: DFU Mode Restore
If Recovery Mode fails, Device Firmware Update (DFU) Mode is your nuclear option. It reloads both firmware and software—but wipes everything—so use it only after other steps fail.
- Plug your iPhone into a computer.
- Follow the sequence for your model:
- iPhone 7: Hold Side + Volume Down for 10 seconds, then release Side while still holding Volume Down.
- iPhone 6s or older: Hold Home + Power for 8 seconds, then release Power while holding Home.
The screen should stay black. Your computer will recognize DFU Mode and offer a restore. If you’re on an iPhone X, start with an “iphone x hard reboot” (quick Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side) before attempting DFU.
DFU Mode is powerful but risky; if you’re unsure, seek professional help.
When to Ask a Professional for Help
If you’ve tried hard resets, Recovery Mode, and DFU—and your iPhone is still stuck—it’s time to consult a technician. Water damage, battery failure, or board-level faults can all freeze the Apple logo.
Apple Support can help if your phone is under warranty. Otherwise, a local repair expert (like us at Driveby Repairs in Brisbane) can diagnose and fix the issue, often within hours. Persistent errors such as “apple iphone 7 stuck on apple logo” or “apple logo stuck on iphone 7” are strong indicators of hardware trouble.
Delaying repairs can worsen damage; if you rely on your phone daily, act fast.