How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Update Requested While Updating to iOS 27

When updating your iPhone to iOS 27, you may see the Update Requested message for a long time. This means your iPhone has sent a request to Apple's server, but the update has not started downloading or moving forward yet.

In many cases, this is caused by weak Wi-Fi, busy Apple servers, low storage, or a temporary system glitch. You do not need to restore your iPhone right away. This guide will show you safe ways to fix iPhone stuck on Update Requested, starting with methods that do not erase your data.

Why Is My iPhone Stuck on Update Requested?

When your iPhone is stuck on Update Requested, it usually means the update has not started downloading yet. This can happen for several common reasons:

• Weak or unstable Wi-Fi: A poor connection can stop your iPhone from reaching Apple's update server.
• Apple server delay: When many users update at the same time, Apple's server may respond slowly.
• Low iPhone storage: Your iPhone needs enough free space to download and prepare the iOS update.
• Low battery or unstable power: The update may not move forward if your iPhone has low battery or an unstable power connection.
• Corrupted or unfinished update file: A failed previous download may keep the new update request from continuing.
• Temporary iOS glitch: The Settings app or iOS system may get stuck during the update process.
• VPN, proxy, or network settings issue: Some network settings may block or slow down the update request.

Most of these causes can be fixed without erasing your iPhone. Start with Wi-Fi, storage, battery, and Apple server checks before trying advanced solutions.

How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Update Requested

The methods below are arranged from low-risk fixes to advanced options. Try them one by one, and use Restore only as a last resort because it will erase your iPhone.

Method	Best For	Data Loss Risk	Try First?
Wait and Check Apple Server	Temporary server delay	No	Yes
Check Wi-Fi	Temporary network delay	No	Yes
Free Up Storage	Not enough space for update	No	Yes
Force Restart iPhone	Minor system glitch	No	Yes
Delete Update File	Corrupted update download	No	Yes
Reset Network Settings	Wi-Fi, VPN, or proxy issue	No personal data loss	After Wi-Fi check
Computer Update	OTA update keeps failing	Usually no if choosing Update	Before repair tool
TunesKit Standard Repair	Deeper iOS update issue	No in Standard Repair	Before Restore
Restore	Serious update failure	Yes	Last resort

Method 1: Wait and Check Apple System Status

Sometimes, your iPhone is not really frozen on Update Requested. It may be waiting for Apple's server to respond, especially when a new iOS version has just been released and many users are updating at the same time.

• Step 1. Keep your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi and power.
• Step 2. Wait for 15 to 30 minutes and avoid tapping the update button repeatedly.
• Step 3. Check Apple System Status to make sure Apple services are working normally. If there is a server issue, wait and try again later.

Method 2: Check Wi-Fi Connection

A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection can stop your iPhone from sending or completing the update request. Before trying advanced fixes, make sure your iPhone is connected to a stable network.

• Step 1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
• Step 2. Turn Wi-Fi off and on again, or switch to another stable Wi-Fi network.
• Step 3. Return to Settings > General > Software Update and check whether the iOS update starts downloading.

Method 3: Charge iPhone and Check Storage

Your iPhone needs enough battery and storage space to download and prepare the iOS update. If the battery is low or storage is almost full, the update may stay on Update Requested.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a charger and keep the battery above 50%.
• Step 2. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
• Step 3. Delete unused apps, large videos, or old files to free up enough space for the update.

Method 4: Force Restart iPhone

A temporary iOS or Settings app glitch may stop the update request from moving forward. Force restarting your iPhone can refresh the system without deleting any data.

• For iPhone 8 or later, quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, hold the Side button and Volume Down button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 6s or earlier, hold the Home button and Side or Top button until the Apple logo appears.

Method 5: Delete the iOS Update File and Download Again

If a previous update file is corrupted or unfinished, your iPhone may keep getting stuck on Update Requested. Deleting the update file lets your iPhone download a fresh copy.

• Step 1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
• Step 2. Find the iOS update file, tap it, and choose Delete Update.
• Step 3. Go back to Settings > General > Software Update and download the update again.

Method 6: Reset Network Settings

Wrong Wi-Fi, VPN, proxy, or network settings may block the update request. Resetting network settings can fix connection-related update problems without deleting your personal data.

• Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Step 2. Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings.
• Step 3. Reconnect to Wi-Fi, then try downloading the iOS update again.

Method 7: Update iOS via Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes

If the over-the-air update keeps getting stuck on Update Requested, you can update your iPhone with a computer. This can bypass some Wi-Fi or Settings app problems.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer with a USB cable. Open Finder on Mac, Apple Devices on Windows, or iTunes on older computers.
• Step 2. Select your iPhone when it appears.
• Step 3. Choose Check for Update or Update, not Restore, to install the iOS update without erasing your data.

Method 8: Use TunesKit iOS System Recovery

If your iPhone is still stuck on Update Requested after checking Wi-Fi, storage, and network settings, the issue may be related to a deeper iOS system error. TunesKit iOS System Recovery can help fix common iOS update problems with its Standard Repair mode without erasing data.

As a professional iOS repair desktop program, its main goal is to fix over 150 iPhone/iPad/iPod touch issues like iPhone boot loop, green screen, stuck on verifying update, etc. Running fast, it is very safe and reliable. In addition to its function of repairing, it can also downgrade iOS and enter or exit recovery mode with only one click.

Step 1 Connect iPhone to PC

Open the program on your computer. Then, the iPhone should be connected by a USB cable correctly. After seconds, it will detect your device. Next, click on the iOS System Repair > Start button.

Step 2 Select Repair Mode

Next, select a repair mode from the Standard or Deep Repair. You are suggested to choose the Standard Repair to keep data intact. If done, click on Next.

Step 3 Download Firmware Package

Finally, you only need to download the firmware package. Before tapping Download, you can check the device info. After this, click on Repair button to get rid of the iPhone update requested stuck.

Method 9: Restore iPhone as a Last Resort [Data Loss]

Restore should only be used when all safer methods fail. This method erases your iPhone and installs the latest iOS version, so make sure you have a backup if possible.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer and open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes.
• Step 2. Select your iPhone and choose Restore iPhone.
• Step 3. After the restore finishes, set up your iPhone and restore your data from a backup if available.

FAQs About iPhone Stuck on Update Requested

Conclusion

When your iPhone is stuck on Update Requested, the problem is usually related to Wi-Fi, Apple server delay, low storage, or a temporary iOS glitch. Start with simple fixes first, such as waiting for a while, checking Apple System Status, reconnecting Wi-Fi, charging your iPhone, and freeing up storage.

If the update still does not start, delete the update file and download it again, reset network settings, or update your iPhone with Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. For deeper iOS update issues, TunesKit iOS System Recovery can be another option before using Restore. Since Restore will erase your iPhone, use it only as a last resort.