[100% Useful] How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Spinning Wheel in 2025?

"I bought a new iPhone 12 yesterday, and I set it up, and all worked well. Today I tried to change the wallpaper, and I got stuck on a black screen with a spinning wheel. I tried to hard reset it, and it put me back into a working lock screen, but as soon as I logged in, it gave me the spinning wheel again. What do I do?"

- Posted by Yianook on Reddit.com

The iPhone screen turned black with a spinning circle? Even though it is a quite common phenomenon after upgrading your iPhone software to the newest version, many people still feel panic-stricken. Take it easy if you suffer from the iPhone stuck on a spinning wheel! This article covers everything you will be concerned about, like why is my iPhone buffering on a black screen? How do I stop the spinning wheel on my iPhone? Let's take a close look at them piece by piece.

Part 1. Why Is There a Spinning Circle on My iPhone?

"iPhone stuck on spinning wheel" is an error that happens during turning on or restarting an iPhone. The Apple logo appears on the screen while the screen goes black. However, the iPhone gets stuck on the black screen with a spinning wheel.

Generally, the loading circle takes a few seconds to disappear. If you find the loading circle on your iPhone won't stop, it may get something wrong. Why does the wheel on my iPhone keep spinning? Here are some possible reasons:

• iOS Update Failure: If an error occurs during the iOS update process or the downloaded files are corrupted, it may cause the device to get stuck on the loading screen.
• System Crash: Due to software conflicts or running errors, iOS may fail to start properly and enter a loop of failure.
• Insufficient Storage: If the iPhone's storage is too full, it may prevent the system from loading correctly, eventually getting stuck in the loading circle.
• Failed Jailbreak: If you attempt to jailbreak your iPhone but the process fails, it may cause system anomalies that prevent the device from starting properly.
• Hardware Issues: Although rare, if there is hardware damage to the device, such as a motherboard failure, it can also result in a failed startup.

Part 2. How Do I Stop the Spinning Wheel on My iPhone?

Below is the technical know-how to fix the iPhone black screen spinning wheel for your reference.

Trick 1. Charge iPhone

First, make sure to charge your iPhone. If the iOS update or restoration process takes too long and drains the battery, your iPhone may run out of power and fail to boot properly, showing a black screen with a spinning wheel.

So, charge your iPhone for a while, then try restarting it later. (iPhone overheating when charging?)

Trick 2. Force Restart the iPhone

Most of the time, the simple restarting resolves many minor system glitches. So, if your iPhone is spinning, try to restart your device with these steps.

For iPhone 8 and later models:

• Quickly press and release the "Volume Up" button.
• Quickly press and release the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo turns up on the screen.
• Release the "Side" button.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus:

• Press and hold the "Volume Down" + "Power" buttons together until the Apple logo shows on the screen.
• Release both buttons.

For iPhone 6 and earlier models:

• Press and hold the "Power" + "Home" buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo displays on the screen.
• Release both buttons.

Trick 3. Restore iPhone in Recovery Mode

If your iPhone is still stuck on the loading screen, Recovery mode can help you repair system files and reinstall iOS. However, since it will erase the iPhone data during the process, you need to have a previous backup of your iPhone before using this way. (Click here to learn how to back up your iPhone to the computer.)

Here is how to fix the iPhone spinning wheel of death using Recovery mode:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable and open the latest version of iTunes.

Step 2. Get your iPhone into Recovery mode. You can force restart your iPhone but don't release the button(s) until you see the Recovery mode screen. (iPhone stuck in recovery mode?)

Step 3. iTunes will detect your iPhone in Recovery mode. When it asks you to "Update" or "Restore" the iPhone, choose "Restore".

Step 4. Once completed, set up your iPhone as a new one, and it will be free from the spinning wheel of death.

Trick 4. Put iPhone into DFU Mode

If your iPhone still won't start, you can get your iPhone in DFU mode and restore it with iTunes to eliminate the iPhone spinning circle. It can completely erase the iPhone's system and reinstall iOS, making it one of the most thorough repair methods.

Here's how to fix iPhone stuck on black screen with spinning wheel using DFU mode:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable and put your iPhone into DFU mode.

Step 2. Run the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

Step 3. Locate your iPhone in Tunes when detected and tap "OK".

Step 4. Tap "Restore" and follow the on-screen prompts to finish restoring your device.

Step 5. Later, set up your iPhone from the beginning.

Trick 5. Try iOS System Repair

If you want to repair the iPhone stuck on the spinning wheel problem with no data loss, you can resort to iOS System Repair for help. It is a professional iPhone system repair app dedicated to fixing various iOS system issues without data loss, including the iPhone stuck on a spinning wheel, and works for the latest iPhone 16.

The main features of iOS System Repair:

• Repair different iOS system problems, like iPhone black screen with a spinning wheel, stuck on the Apple logo, charge issues, iTunes error 4005/14013/4013, etc.
• Upgrade and downgrade iOS to a more stable version.
• Highest recovery success rate without causing data loss.
• Easy and safe to use.
• Widely compatible with all iPhone models running iOS 18 and earlier versions.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to fix the iPhone stuck on a spinning wheel without data loss:

Trick 6. Contact Apple Support

You'd better go to a nearby Apple Store or visit its official website to get your device checked and repaired if the iPhone stuck on the spinning wheel problem still exists. Note that if your iPhone is out of warranty, it will incur fees.

Words in the End

With so many DIY solutions, you will surely resolve the iPhone stuck on a spinning wheel without a hassle. You can pick iOS System Repair to fix the issue without data loss in a few clicks or try any way you want. If you encounter any problems during the process, please leave a comment below at your earliest convenience. We will reach out to you as soon as possible.

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