Short answer
Force restart first. If it stays on the Apple logo, connect to a computer, enter recovery mode and choose Update to reinstall iOS without erasing data. Only Restore if Update fails.
This usually happens after a failed update, a restore or a storage problem. The data is almost always still there.
Fix it step by step
- Charge the phone for at least 30 minutes.
- Force restart: volume up, volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo reappears.
- Connect to a Mac or PC and open Finder or the Apple Devices app.
- Put the phone into recovery mode by repeating the force restart and keeping the button held until the recovery screen appears.
- Choose Update. If it fails after about 15 minutes, repeat and choose Restore.
If you don't have a computer
Visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider or a trusted repair shop. They can recover the phone using specialist equipment.
If it keeps happening
- Free up storage; a full phone can fail to boot after updates.
- A failing battery or logic board can cause repeated boot loops.
- Water damage can cause the phone to restart on the logo.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my data?
Update keeps your data; Restore erases it. Restore from an iCloud or computer backup afterwards.
How long should an update take?
Anything from a few minutes to 30 minutes, depending on connection and model.
Sources
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