How to Fix iTunes Stuck on Preparing iPhone for Restore

iTunes can be used to back up & restore iPhone/iPad data, update iOS software and restore iPhone/iPad to factory settings. Restoring basically installs a fresh version of the firmware on your iOS device. Usually, if iPhone restore is working, the preparation progress won’t take so long to move next. While you might find that iTunes is stuck on preparing the iPhone for restoration and the progress bar will not move.

If you are stuck on preparing iPhone/iPad for restore and can do nothing, this guide will share how long should it take to restore an iPhone. Also, here are some methods to show how can we fix the stuck issue, and update & restore an iPhone/iPad successfully.

How Long Does it Take to Prepare iPhone for Restore

Normally, preparing iPhone for restore takes around 15 minutes. However, some users reported that “the software has taken over 15 minutes to download which makes my phone exit recovery mode”. When you click restore again, failed again. It seems to take forever to restore iPhone.

Then, how can the restoring process be affected? It depends on the various situations. Now, you can first check the following phases that iTunes goes through to restore your iPhone.

1. Download Firmware

This is the process of downloading the firmware for your iPhone from Apple servers and saving it to your computer. If your Internet is fast, this should not take too long.

2. Extract Firmware

Once the firmware is downloaded, iTunes extracts the contents of the firmware. This should also not take too long.

3. Verify Firmware

After the firmware is extracted, iTunes then verifies the integrity of the files. This is a small checkup of the files and this will hardly take a few minutes.

4. Restore Firmware

Finally, iTunes restores the firmware on your iPhone, and this might take a bit longer than the other phases.

That is to say, preparing iPhone for restore is taking so long may be caused by an unstable internet connection to download firmware, not enough storage to save firmware, the iPhone running slow, etc.

Further Reading: Firmware File is Not Compatible iPhone/iPad/iPod >

How to Restore iPhone Successfully

You can try an iTunes alternative to update and restore your iPhone. This software is called PhoneRescue for iOS, which is designed to help iPhone/iPad/iPod users out of iOS/iPadOS dilemma. If you are stuck on preparing iPhone for restore, just download PhoneRescue for iOS to repair the issue:

• Fix your iPhone stuck on preparing for software update or restore by repairing iOS system.
• After the repairing process is completed, your iPhone will be updated to the latest iOS version.
• And, your iPhone will back to normal no matter what the system problem is.
• You can also restore iPhone from iTunes backup, or iCloud backup.
• Besides, you can recover lost data without a backup, remove screen passcode, etc.

To Fix Preparing iPhone/iPad for Restore:

Step 1. Get PhoneRescue for iOS on your computer. Open it. Click Repair iOS System under Device Rescuer.

Step 2. Here are two repair modes that you can choose. Advanced enables you to restore iPhone without data loss. If you also want to reset your iPhone to factory settings, you can choose Standard Mode.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter recovery mode > Click Download button to get a matching firmware pacakge.

Step 4. Restore iPhone completed.

How to Fix iTunes Stuck on Preparing iPhone for Restore

If your iPhone is stuck in the same situation for a really long period of time, anyone will get annoyed. There are a few things you can do to possibly fix the situation and try and get the progress bar to move.

1. Restart Your Computer and Your iPhone

Whenever there is an issue either on your computer or on your iPhone, the first method you should apply is to reboot your devices. Rebooting helps fix many minor problems, and it could fix your iPhone restore stuck issue as well.

Reboot an iPhone

You probably already know how to restart an iPhone but the following generic steps will help you.

1. Press and hold down the Power key on your iPhone > Move the slider and your phone will turn off.
2. Press the Power key again for a few seconds and your iPhone will turn on.

Reboot a Computer

You can restart a Mac by going to the Apple menu and selecting Restart. Windows users can click the Start Menu, select the Power option, and choose Restart to restart their PCs.

2. Update iTunes on Your Computer

You need to ensure the version of iTunes on your computer is up to date. Older iTunes versions can have issues in them which cause the app to remain stuck on the preparing iPhone for restore screen. To update iTunes as follows:

1. Search for Apple Software Update using the Start Menu on your computer and click on it.
2. Let it check for available iTunes updates. If an update is available, click on the Install button at the bottom.

Further Reading: How to Fix iTunes Update Not Working on Windows >

3. Use a USB 2.0 or Faster Port

It has been suggested by various users that you should use USB 2.0 or a faster port on your computer while you restore or update your iOS device. These faster ports can provide your iPhone with firmware at the required speed.

An older USB port cannot transfer the data at the required speed, and this can cause iTunes to remain stuck on the preparing iPhone for restore screen. Most computers have multiple USB ports these days so use the fastest one.

4. Avoid Using a USB Hub

If you have more USB devices than USB ports on your computer, it is likely you use a USB hub. While updating or restoring your iPhone, it is highly suggested that you do not use a middle-man like a USB hub to make the connection.

Get rid of any USB hubs that you use to connect your iPhone to your computer, and connect the device directly to your machine. This will help fix many connection issues that can potentially occur on your computer.

5. Use a Different Computer to Restore the iPhone

Sometimes, it is your computer that is to be blamed for the iTunes issue. It may be that there are certain issues with your machine’s components, and that may be the reason why you are unable to successfully restore your iPhone.

To fix this issue without any hassle, simply use another computer with iTunes. Connect your iPhone to another computer, launch iTunes, and follow the standard procedure for restoring your device. This solution has worked for many people and it is worth giving it a shot if you have not already.

Further Reading: How to Fix iPhone Not Showing Up on Computer >

6. Use the iPhone Recovery Mode

In case you do not already know, your iPhone has a special mode called recovery mode that lets you restore or update your device when you have some serious issues with the device. Right now is the time when you can utilize this mode and get your device restored.

The following are the steps on how to put your iPhone into recovery mode and use either iTunes or Finder to restore the phone.

Step 1. Keep iTunes or Finder open on your computer.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.

Step 3. Reboot your iPhone into recovery mode. The process on how to do this is as follows for various iPhone models.

• iPhone 8 or later: Press the Volume Up key and release it, press the Volume Down key and release it, and press and hold down the Side key.
• iPhone 7 or 7 Plus: Press and hold down the Top or Side key along with the Volume Down key.
• iPhone 6S or earlier: Press the Home and Top or Side keys together.

Step 4. iTunes or Finder will display a prompt asking you to either restore or update your device. Click on the Restore button to restore your iPhone.

Further Reading: Fix iTunes Not Recognizing iPhone in Recovery Mode >

How to Fix Preparing iPad for Restore

“OK so my iPad was stuck in a boot loop I tried everything so I wanted to restore it in DFU mode and I didn’t get an error message (I usually got 4013). so I was really happy but now it is stuck. IDK what to do, I tried everything that the apple sites say but it doesn’t help me but I really need my iPad so yea:)”

If you are using an iPad and time has taken on preparing iPad for restore, just like the above user, you can also try to connect your iPad to your PC and put your iPad in recovery mode. Or, try the methods in the part – stop preparing iPhone for restore stuck.

To Put iPad into Recovery Mode:

For an iPad without a Home button: Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Press and hold the top button, until you see the recovery mode screen.

For an iPad with a Home button: Press and hold both the Home and the top buttons at the same time, until you see the recovery mode screen.

Tip: How to Fix Preparing iPhone for Software Update

If you are trying to update your iPhone with iTunes, but are stuck on “preparing iPhone for software update”. You can try to update your iPhone without iTunes, or try the method below to fix any iTunes errors.

Try to Repair iTunes

If the above methods didn’t work, then you can try to fix iTunes errors. AnyFix – iOS system recovery is a third-party tool that can help Apple users to solve iOS system issues and iTunes update/restore errors. If you find iTunes cannot recognize/connect/sync the iOS device, including iTunes stuck on preparing iPhone for restore, AnyFix can help you solve these problems.

Now, you can check the simple steps below to repair:

Step 1: Get AnyFix on your computer. Click iTunes Repair after launching it.

Step 2: Choose iTunes Connection/Backup/Restore Errors and click Scan Now.

Step 3: Then you can get the error list for your iTunes. Click Fix Now to continue.

Step 4: Give AnyFix authorization, letting it fix the above errors.

The Bottom Line

If you cannot restore your device no matter what you do, you will find the above guide to be extremely useful as it provides you with the methods to fix this problem on your computer. Once that is done, your iPhone will restore just fine whenever you want. With PhonRescue for iOS, you can only prepare your iPhone for updates and restoration. Now, free download it to have a try.