Overview
A device frozen on the boot logo — or one that keeps restarting in a loop — is almost always a software problem from an interrupted update or restore, and it's usually fixable without losing data. This guide starts with a force restart and moves to Recovery Mode, which can reinstall the device software while keeping your files.
Symptoms you might see
- The boot logo stays on screen and never reaches the Home Screen.
- The phone restarts repeatedly (a boot loop).
- It got stuck during or after a software update or restore.
- The screen shows the logo then goes dark, over and over.
Possible causes
- An interrupted or failed software update.
- A corrupted system file or a failed restore.
- A jailbreak or a problematic profile.
- Insufficient storage during an update.
- In rare cases, a hardware fault.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
Work through these in order — the earliest steps are the safest and fix the most cases.
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Force restart first
Volume Up, Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the boot logo appears — keep holding for up to 20 seconds. This alone breaks many boot loops.
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Charge and wait
Plug in and let the phone attempt to boot on a full charge. A low battery can interrupt the boot sequence and cause repeated restarts.
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Enter Recovery Mode
Connect the phone to a computer running the device-management software. Then perform the force-restart button sequence but keep holding until you see the Recovery Mode (cable-to-computer) screen instead of the boot logo.
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Choose Update, not Restore
When the computer offers to Update or Restore, choose Update. This reinstalls the device software and repairs system files while keeping your personal data. It can take a while — let it finish.
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If Update fails, restore from a backup
If Update doesn't resolve it, choosing Restore will erase and reinstall the device software. Only do this if you have a recent backup; afterwards, restore your data from the cloud or your computer backup.
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Try DFU or seek help for persistent loops
If Recovery Mode won't complete, a DFU restore (a deeper reinstall) may be needed. If even that fails, the cause may be hardware and professional diagnostics are the next step.
Before you go further: back up your device to a cloud backup or a computer whenever possible. Steps that could affect your data are clearly flagged — and for suspected hardware faults, a qualified repair professional is the safest next step.
Prevention tips
- Keep enough free storage before updating.
- Don't interrupt updates or restores; keep the phone charged.
- Back up before major updates so a restore is never a loss.
- Avoid unofficial modifications that can corrupt the system.
Frequently asked questions
Will fixing the boot logo loop erase my data?
Not if Update works — in Recovery Mode, choosing Update reinstalls the device software while keeping your data. Only Restore erases, so always try Update first and keep a backup.
What's the difference between a boot loop and a stuck logo?
A stuck logo freezes on the boot logo; a boot loop restarts repeatedly. Both stem from similar software faults and are fixed the same way — force restart, then Recovery Mode.
Related guides
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