How to Fix Apple Intelligence Stuck Downloading

I had the Apple Intelligence upgrade stuck on "preparing" for over 10 hours. Resetting all settings let me toggle it on, but now it's been stuck downloading all day with no features working yet. --From Apple Community

If you've been eager to try Apple's latest AI-powered features but find yourself stuck waiting, you're not alone. Many users have reported the update hanging for hours or even days, preventing Apple Intelligence from functioning at all.

In this guide, we'll walk you through practical methods to fix Apple Intelligence stuck downloading so you can finally start using the new tools on your device. Whether it's frozen on "Preparing" or endlessly "Downloading," these solutions will help you get things moving again. Without dilly-dallying much, let's get started!

Part 1. Why Is My Apple Intelligence Stuck Downloading?

Apple Intelligence can get stuck downloading for several reasons. Let's analyse this issue one by one.

• Server congestion – If many users are downloading at the same time, Apple's servers can slow down.
• Poor or unstable internet – Interrupted or slow Wi-Fi may cause the process to hang.
• Corrupted temporary files – Glitches in cached data can freeze updates mid-process.
• Low storage space – Insufficient free space can block the download or installation.
• Software bugs – iOS glitches may interfere with the update process.

Once you identify the cause, you can apply the right fix to get Apple Intelligence working.

Part 2. How to Fix Apple Intelligence Stuck Downloading?

Let's try the following six methods to fix Apple Intelligence stuck downloading issue.

Method 1: Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone isn't just a basic "turn it off and on again" trick—it can actually fix update issues like Apple Intelligence getting stuck. Also, it clears temporary glitches, a restart shuts down all running processes and refreshes the operating system. And it frees up system memory, the background tasks or stalled processes that block downloads get cleared.

For iPhones with Face ID (no Home button):

Step 1: Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power slider appears.
Step 2: Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
Step 3: Wait about 30 seconds, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhones with a Home button:

Step 1: Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the power slider appears.
Step 2: Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
Step 3: Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the Apple logo appears.

Method 2: Examine Your Network Connection

A weak or unstable internet connection is one of the most common reasons Apple Intelligence gets stuck downloading. The update relies on a steady, high-speed connection to transfer large amounts of data from Apple's servers to your device.

If your Wi-Fi signal drops, fluctuates, or is too slow, the download can freeze indefinitely. Checking and improving your network connection ensures your iPhone can complete the process without interruptions.

Step 1: Use Safari to visit a speed test site (e.g., speedtest.net) and check your download speed. Aim for at least 5–10 Mbps for stable downloading.

Step 2: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and select a network with full signal bars.

Step 3: If it won't work, you can restart your router and modem. Unplug them for 30 seconds, then plug them back in to refresh the connection.

Step 4: You can also forget and reconnect to your Wi-Fi. In Settings → Wi-Fi, tap your network, choose Forget This Network, then reconnect with your password.

Method 3: Set iPhone Region to Another Language

Sometimes, Apple Intelligence updates or features may rely on region-specific settings or language configurations. If your iPhone's language or region is set to one not fully supported by the update, it can cause the download or installation to stall.

Switching your device's language and region to English (United States) ensures compatibility with Apple's servers and software, which can help resolve issues with the update getting stuck.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap General.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Language & Region.

Step 3: Tap Add Language and choose English (US).

Step 4: Confirm by tapping Change to English (US), and confirm your selection by tapping the "Use English (US)" button again.

Step 5: Next, tap Region and select United States.

Step 6: Your iPhone will update the settings and may restart to apply changes.

After changing the language and region, try downloading Apple Intelligence again to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 4: Free Up iPhone Storage Space

Apple Intelligence is a large feature upgrade that requires plenty of free space to download, unpack, and install. If your iPhone's storage is nearly full, the update may pause indefinitely or fail without an error message. Even if the download size seems small, iOS also needs extra "working space" to process the installation.

Checking your available storage ensures there's enough room for both the update files and temporary system data, which can prevent the stuck download issue.

Step 1: Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage.

Step 2: Look at the top of the screen for your used vs. available storage. Aim for at least 10GB free for large updates.

Step 3: Scroll down to see apps listed by storage usage. Tap an app to view details.

Step 4: Delete unused apps, large videos, or old photos. Offload apps by tapping Offload App (keeps documents and data but removes the app itself).

Step 5: In Photos → Albums → Recently Deleted, permanently delete items to reclaim space.

Method 5: Reset All Settings

Sometimes, hidden software glitches or conflicting settings prevent Apple Intelligence from downloading properly. Resetting all settings restores your iPhone’s system preferences—like Wi-Fi passwords, display settings, and privacy options—back to their defaults without deleting your personal data. This can clear out bugs or misconfigurations that block the update process, helping the download to resume and complete successfully.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap General.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 3: Tap Reset, then choose Reset All Settings.

Step 4: Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm the reset.

Step 5: Your iPhone will restart automatically after the reset.

After the reset, reconnect to your Wi-Fi and try downloading Apple Intelligence again.

Method 6: Use iPhone Repair Software to Fix System Bugs

If none of the standard troubleshooting steps work, the problem may be caused by deeper iOS system bugs or corrupted firmware. These issues can prevent downloads—like Apple Intelligence—from completing, even if your Wi-Fi, storage, and settings are fine. iPhone repair tools such as TunesKit iOS System Recovery are designed to repair underlying system errors without erasing your personal data.

In addition to the powerful system repair feature, this software enables you to enter or exit recovery mode for free, eliminating the need of manually press the button to enter recovery mode. It works with the latest iPhones and iPads, including the newest iOS releases. It's also available for both macOS and Windows.

Now follow the step-by-step tutorial to fix Apple Intelligence stuck downloading using TunesKit iOS System Recovery.

Step 1Connect your iPhone to the computer

Get the software and install it on your Mac or Windows PC. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone, and launch TunesKit. Click the iOS System Repair option on the main screen, then hit the Start button to continue.

Step 2Choose Standard Repair Mode

There are two repair modes for you to choose from. It's recommended that you select Standard Repair to fix system bugs without data loss.

Step 3Download the iOS firmware package

Confirm your device info and let the tool download the latest firmware. Wait patiently to complete the process.

Step 4Repair your iOS system

Click Repair button, wait for the process to complete, then restart your iPhone. After the repair, retry the Apple Intelligence download—it should now install without getting stuck.

Part 3. Conclusion

This guide explains why Apple Intelligence may get stuck downloading and offers step-by-step fixes, from checking your internet connection and freeing up storage to resetting settings and adjusting language/region. For stubborn cases caused by deeper iOS bugs, TunesKit iOS System Recovery is a powerful repair tool that can resolve system errors without data loss, ensuring the update installs smoothly.