Why does the loading circle keep spinning on my iPhone?

Answered by Tom Adger

Why does the loading circle keep spinning on my iPhone?

The spinning loading circle, also known as the spinning wheel, is a common sight on iPhones. It usually appears on a black screen and is accompanied by a delay in the device’s functionality. This spinning wheel indicates that iOS is working on something, such as performing configuration changes or attempting to recover from a crash.

One possible reason for the spinning wheel is an iOS update. When you update your iPhone’s operating system, it often requires configuration changes to be made. These changes can take some time to complete, and during this process, the spinning wheel may appear. This is perfectly normal and should resolve itself once the necessary updates and configurations are completed.

Another scenario where you may encounter the spinning wheel is when your iPhone experiences a crash. Just like any other computer system, iPhones can sometimes encounter issues that cause them to freeze or become unresponsive. In such cases, the spinning wheel may appear while iOS attempts to recover from the crash and bring the device back to a functional state. This process can take some time, and patience is required as the spinning wheel indicates that iOS is actively working on resolving the issue.

It’s worth noting that sometimes the spinning wheel can persist even after iOS has attempted to recover from a crash. In such cases, it is possible that the device didn’t boot iOS properly or encountered another issue during the recovery process. If this happens, you may need to force restart your iPhone to try and resolve the issue. To force restart an iPhone, you can follow these steps:

1. For iPhone 8 and later models: Press and quickly release the volume up button, then press and quickly release the volume down button. press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

2. For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the side button and volume down button together until you see the Apple logo.

3. For iPhone 6s and earlier models: Press and hold both the home button and the side (or top) button together until you see the Apple logo.

Performing a force restart can help resolve any temporary glitches or issues that may be causing the spinning wheel to persist. However, if the spinning wheel continues to appear even after a force restart, it might be necessary to seek further assistance from Apple Support or visit an authorized service center.

The spinning loading circle on your iPhone indicates that iOS is actively working on something, whether it’s performing configuration changes or recovering from a crash. It is a normal part of the operating system’s functioning and should resolve itself once the necessary processes are completed. If the spinning wheel persists, you can try force restarting your iPhone to resolve any temporary issues.