How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Estimating Time Remaining?

Are you looking for ways to fix iPhone stuck on estimating the remaining time? It’s a common recurring problem faced by many iPhone users, which is why we’ve compiled a guide to solve this problem of yours. Keep reading to know more!

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Nov. 17, 2022

If you changed to the latest iPhone 14 or iPhone 13, you need first to restore your backup from the old iPhone. But many users reported that restoring from iCloud time remaining 10 hours even 1 day. Why is your iPhone stuck on estimating time remaining? 

Yes, we are speaking about the situation in which the screen remains frozen at the “Estimated Time Remaining” prompt without further progress. Here we will show you solutions to fix restore from iCloud time remaining.

Besides, your iPhone may stuck while attempting to install the latest version, or iCloud backup is stuck on estimating time remaining. In that case, you can also get the methods below to stop time remaining estimating forever.

Stuck on Estimating Time Remaining?

Restore from iCloud Time Remaining Estimating

How to Fix Restore from iCloud Time Remaining Estimating

I’ve tried different wifi networks but restoring my iPhone XR from iCloud gets stuck in the very beginning saying “time remaining: estimating …” Can anyone help?

Usually, restoring from iCloud might take dozens of minutes to hours to complete depending on the iCloud backup size and the internet speed. If your iPhone is stuck on restore from iCloud and the progress bar of time remaining estimating does not move, the few actions that need to be taken are outlined below:

Solution 1. Stop Restoring on iPhone

Once you have stopped restoring your iPhone, you will no longer get notifications that an iCloud restoration is currently taking place, and you will be free to use your phone as you would normally. Later, you can do restoration from an earlier iCloud backup before you create a new one.

Step 1: Open the Settings and Navigate to the iCloud settings at this time.

Step 2: When you get to this page, you must go to the Backup option.

Step 3: On the next page, choose to Stop Restoring iPhone.

Stop Restoring iPhone

Stop Restoring iPhone

Step 4: A pop-up will ask whether you want to halt the Restore process. Continue to tap the Stop button.

Solution 2. Prepare for New iCloud Restoration

If you want to restore from iCloud on your iPhone again, make sure your iPhone is connecting to strong Wi-Fi and has enough electricity. Besides, make sure your new iPhone gets enough space to restore. To check iCloud backup storage: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage iCloud Storage. You can see how much storage your iCloud backup got.

Check iCloud Backup Storage

Check iCloud Backup Storage

After that, try to conduct a fresh iCloud Restore from the Backup. 

Solution 3. Restore from iCloud iPhone 14

PhoneRescue for iOS enables you to view iCloud backup data and choose to restore a backup in one click. PhoneRescue is designed as a data recovery tool for iPhone, iPad, and iPod users. You can recover lost data without a backup, or restore an iCloud backup and iTunes backup.

Besides, with the system repair mode of PhoneRescue, you can fix any iPhone/iPad stuck issues like preparing an iOS update stuck, being unable to activate iPhone, iPad black screen, etc. The latest iPhone 14 and iOS 16 are supported now. Therefore, if your iPhone is stuck on time remaining, download PhoneRescue and restore your iCloud backup with ease:

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Step 1. Launch PhoneRescue on your desktop, choose Recover from iCloud. Make sure your phone is connected.

Recover iMessages from iCloud

Choose Recover from iCloud

Step 2. Log in to your Apple ID and you will get to the next page. Click iCloud Backup and continue.

Click on iCloud Photos

Click on iCloud Backup

Step 3. Choose the backup and choose what data you want to restore. Then all data will be shown, choose what you need to restore.

Restore Backup to iPhone or PC

Restore Backup to iPhone or PC

How to Fix iCloud Backup Estimating Time Remaining

Suppose you are attempting to back up your data on iCloud on your iPhone, and you see an error message that says iCloud Backup is stuck on estimating time remaining or iCloud Backup is stuck on 1 minute or 1 percent. In that case, you need to try the methods outlined in the following paragraphs to solve the problem of an iCloud backup error on an iPhone.

Solution 1. Log out Your Apple ID and Re-Login

Step 1: Open Settings > Tap on apple id > When you’re done, click Sign Out.

Step 2: Select the data that you wish to preserve a copy of and enter your Apple ID password.

Step 3: Tap on the sign-out and confirm, and then go back to the home screen and forcibly shut all applications.

Log out Your Apple ID and Re-Login

Log out Your Apple ID and Re-Login

Take a backup of your iCloud account by logging in to your Apple ID. Check more tips to sign out of Apple ID without a password.

Solution 2. Auto-sync Data and Time

iPhone data and time settings might change by mistake when they’re not configured to auto-sync. As a result, ensure that data and time are set to automatic by following the below instructions. Note: When setting the date and time to automatic, turn it off and back on if you already have it set that way.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone as a starting point.

Step 2: Tap on General > Data and time.

Step 3: Set the date and time here to Automatic.

As soon as you’ve made these adjustments and switched the date and time to automatic, restarting your iPhone will let the modifications take effect and allow you to do an iCloud backup without encountering problems like being stuck on an estimation of time left error.

Solution 3. Remove the Old Backup and Create a New

Step 1: Locate and choose the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Select the Apple ID Banner from the Menu Bar.

Step 3: After selecting iCloud, choose Manage Storage from the menu that appears.

Step 4: At this point, choose your iPhone from the list, then press on backups, then tap on delete backup, and finally select turn off and delete.

Step 5: Confirm the deletion on the Backup, then wait for the iPhone to complete the procedure.

After removing your previous Backup, you will need to force shut on all open applications, restart your iPhone, and then run iCloud Backup again. After doing so, you will no longer see the problem message “iCloud backup stuck on calculating time left” on your iPhone.

Solution 4. Fix iCloud Backup Stuck by Resetting All Settings

Step 1: Launch Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Step 2: Enter your passcode and confirm that you want to reset it by tapping the yes button and resetting your settings.

Reset All Settings on iPhone

Reset All Settings on iPhone

After that, proceed to back up your iPhone to iCloud by connecting it to Wi-Fi; doing so will result in the file being uploaded successfully.

How Do I Stop iOS Update Estimate Time Remaining?

When you download iOS 16 it gets stuck on “Estimating Time Remaining” and the downloading bar is grey, it is typically because the Apple servers are overburdened by other users attempting to update their devices simultaneously.

This issue merely signifies that Apple’s servers cannot manage all the traffic they are receiving at that time. iOS update usually takes around 40 minutes to finish. But occasionally, the “Estimated Time Remaining” box may remain, displaying every time you attempt to download the update. The procedure pauses, and there seems to be no progress. Here are some handy solutions to stop iOS 16 update estimating time remaining:

Solution 1. Connect Stable Internet

iOS updates demand reliable internet. A sluggish internet connection may be the issue. To ensure a fast connection, check the following:

  • If you’re downloading programs or files, stop. Streaming videos on YouTube and Netflix might slow down or even stop updates.
  • Modem and router restart.
  • Restart your iPhone.
  • Reset network settings. To reset network settings, choose Settings > General > Reset. This will delete all network settings, including your Wi-Fi password.
  • Enabling Airplane Mode for a few seconds will also renew your Wi-Fi connection. Settings > Airplane mode enables it.

Solution 2. Upgrade through iTunes/Finder

Last, upgrading your iPhone may also be done using iTunes. However, to do this, you will need to launch iTunes on your computer. If you have an iPhone and want to install the latest iOS 16/15 update, use iTunes and follow these steps.

Step 1: Launch iTunes by going to the finder menu on your computer and selecting it.

Step 2: Use a USB connection to link your iPhone to the computer.

Step 3: Once inside the iTunes software, choose the linked device.

Step 4: Select “Check for Updates” from the “Settings” menu after clicking the “Settings” button. iTunes will do an automated search for the most recently available updates. To update your iPhone with this new version, tap the “Update” button.

Update iOS with Finder

Update iOS with Finder

Solution 3. Reset Network Settings

The speed of your network connection might contribute to your iPhone 13 update becoming stuck on the “estimating time remaining” screen. You are responsible for ensuring that your Wi-Fi network is reliable. Try to avoid downloading other programs while the update is being installed. In addition, if you can utilize a Wi-Fi network rather than cellular data, you should do so since it is quicker and more reliable.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your smartphone and go to the General menu.

Step 2: Tap Reset >Reset Network Settings.

Step 3: You should try reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network and giving the update installation another go.

Reset Network Settings on iPhone

Reset Network Settings on iPhone 13

The Bottom Line

To summarize, several factors might cause an iPhone to remain in the updating phase, such as limited storage space, poor WiFi connection, etc. As a result, you can use the helpful options discussed above. Signing out of your account and doing a hard restart on the device will help if the “Estimating time remaining” screen appears on your phone. In addition, if you got other proven methods, feel free to share on the comments below.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

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