iTunes is Downloading a Software Update for this iPhone/iPad Fix


"Stuck on iTunes is downloading a software update for this iPhone, it takes over 20 minutes, causing my iPhone exit Recovery Mode because it's way too long to wait. I just want to restore my iPhone. How can I fix it?”


Confronted download failure showing "iTunes is currently downloading software for this iPhone and will restore your iPhone when the download is complete"? What if there is a pop-up window preventing you moving forward when trying to update the previous iOS software? Don't worry! This post will introduce the reasons and effective ways to fix iTunes is currently downloading software for the iPhone error.

itunes is downloading the software for this iphone

Part 1. Why iTunes is Downloading a Software Update for This iPhone Stuck

Part 2. Here 7 Tips to Fix iTunes is Currently Downloading the Software for iPhone

Part 3. Fix iTunes is Downloading Software for iPhone/iPad without Data Loss

Part 1. Why iTunes is Downloading a Software Update for This iPhone Stuck?

How long should it take for downloading update software is actually hard to work out because this process depends on various factors such as the size of the software, your device condition and network speed on your computer.


Before the solutions to this problem, let's first go through the reasons for iTunes is downloading a software update for this iPhone/iPad stuck.


1. Software downloading is interrupted.

2. Network congestion.

3. Fail to connect iPhone to iTunes Store

4. iTunes unknown errors

5. Jailbreak failure

6. Downloading takes so long that iPhone exit Recovery Mode



Part 2. Here 7 Tips to Fix iTunes is Currently Downloading the Software for iPhone

Now let's go straight to the key point of this post.


Tip 1. Reset the Network Settings

The basis for downloading update software is your network connection. Before updating software, please be sure that you have connected to a stable WIFI or other network channels to set a solid foundation for your next steps.


And then go to General > Tap on Reset > and then follow the instruction.

reset iphone network settings fix itunes download software update


Tip 2. Remove Third-party Apps on iPhone

Some software on your device may have conflicted against your downloading, especially the security software. At this moment, you can simply uninstall these third-party apps to make your iTunes download the software update for iPhone smoothly.


Tip 3. Update iTunes to the Latest Version

Besides, please check your iTunes is on the latest version. To update iTunes, for Windows version, find "Help" from the toolbar and click on "Check for Updates" and then follow the instructions.

update itunes to latest before downloading software


For Mac users, just turn to the App store and click on "Update" if there is a circle point reminding you of iTunes version update.

click update to check reminder for your itunes version


Tip 4. Force Restart Your iPhone XR/XS/X/8/7/6/Plus

Restarting is also an effective way to solve this software update download failure and there are various situations as follow: (Your device will turn off and back on, so please keep holding even the screen goes black.)


iPhone 6 Plus or and earlier models

Keep pressing down the "Power" button as well as "Home" button simultaneously till the Apple logo appears.


iPhone 7/7 S/Plus

Press the "Power" and "Volume Down" button at the same time and release the button when you see Apple logo.


8/8 S/Plus/iPhone XS/Max/X

Press and release the "Volume Up" button quickly and do the same on the "Volume Down" button. Then hold the "Power" button until Apple logo shows up.


Tip 5. Reset All Settings on iPhone

Also reset your device settings is a good way to deal with download software update stuck on your iPhone. There are only 3 simple for you to finish the settings reset to fix iTunes is downloading a software update for this iPhone and will install.


1. Go to Settings and tap on General.

2. Roll down and find Reset button and tap on it.

3. Find Reset All Settings and choose it.


Tip 6. Restore Device from iTunes Backup

Except for the above, there is a unique skill to get rid of this problem. That is to restore from previous iTunes backup. Because this skill can fix most of the glitches on iPhone. But make sure that you have backed up your important data and files in advance.


1. Install latest iTunes and launch it

2. Connect your device with your computer with USB and choose to trust your computer

3. Turn to Summary, find Backup and then click on Restore Backup to restore the data you want


Warning: Please keep the connection when the restore procedure is on-going.

restore iphone to stop itunes downloading software update stuck


Tip 7. Restore iPhone via Recovery Mode and Start Again

Before started: 1. Download the latest iTunes version; 2. Launch iTunes after connecting iPhone to your computer


Secondly, please force restart your iPhone with buttons. Please refer to Tip 4 Force Restart iPhone and check the detailed steps.



Part 3. Fix iTunes is Downloading Software for iPhone/iPad without Data Loss

All of the above methods are based on internal settings of iPhone, and data may somehow get lost by accident. In this part, a new third-party FoneCope iOS System Recovery is introduced (iOS 12 supported), which is able to fix the problem of currently downloading the software for this iPhone without losing any data.


download on Win    download on Mac


Step 1. Download this software in the latest version and launch it on your computer with a USB connection between your iPhone and computer, then select Standard Mode.

<img src="/Uploads/ueditor/php/upload/image/20181210/1544429357923248.jpg" title="select mode to fix ios issues" alt="select mode to fix ios issues"/


Step 2. Follow the instructions to enter DFU or Recovery Mode on your iPhone.

put your device into dfu mode


Your device will be detected by the software and check whether the information is right. And then click on Download.

confirm and download matching ios firmware


Step 3. The last step is to click on the Start to Fix button and just for the fixing procedure finished.

fix itunes is downloading a software update for this iphone



download on Win    download on Mac



The Bottom Line

Stuck on iTunes is a software update for this iPhone or iPad, and not knowing how long it would take? It could be crazy-driving. But please calm down and get an effective way to solve the iTunes download software problem. When encountering such issue, you are supposed to keep a sober mind, or you can get nothing.


Hope these methods can help you out of the problem. If you enjoy this passage, please give us a like. And your comment and suggestion will be highly appreciated.



Last Updated: December 14, 2018

Author: Daniel Lee  /     

Editor of FoneCope, does great in fixing Android and Apple device related problems, writing technical tips step by step.


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