Preparing iPhone for Restore Error? 2022 Real Fixes Here

I was having some issues with my iPhone, so I decided to restore it via iTunes. However, iTunes doesn’t go ahead from preparing your iPhone for restoration. Can you assist me with this?

Due to obvious reasons, most iPhone users would try to restore their devices. Restoring an iPhone via iTunes can help you fix any iPhone issue. However, sometimes your iPhone gets stuck preparing your iPhone for restoration while restoring your device.

It is indeed an unwanted situation, and it’s not hard to predict that no one enjoys being in this situation. Fortunately, you can get rid of this issue as we’re about to explore the prominent ways to fix the issue.

Part 1: How Long Does Preparing An iPhone for Restore Take

Before finding the reasons and solutions of the issue, you’ll need to find out about the time iTunes tend to pass preparing iPhone for Restore.

Generally, you won’t find any fixed timing as it depends upon how faster your WiFi connection is. It can take a few minutes for some users, and for other users, the duration might be in hours.

However, check the following stages your iPhone gets through during the restoring process.

1. Time to Download Firmware

Before restoring iPhone, you’ll need to download firmware from Apple servers. This process doesn’t take any time.

2. Time to Extract the firmware

After downloading the firmware, iPhone assesses firmware. This also won’t take long.

3. Time to Verify firmware

After extracting the firmware, iTunes tends to verify it. The process is most likely to take a few minutes.

4. Time to Restore firmware

This process will take longer than any other phase.

Part 2: Why My iTunes Stuck on Preparing iPhone for Restore

Many factors contribute when you face iTunes stuck preparing iPhone for restore issues. Here’s the list of the most common reasons.

  • 1. If you don’t update your iPhone regularly, it might be the main reason behind the whole scenario.
  • 2. Outdated iTunes is considered the most common reason for the issue you’re currently facing.
  • 3. Software glitches or damaged cable/port might make things worse when restoring your device via iTunes.

Part 3: How to Fix the Issue iTunes Stuck on Preparing iPhone for Restore

1. Restart iPhone and Computer

If you’re facing iTunes stuck on preparing iPhone for restore issue, you should first try restarting iPhone and computer. Doing so can help you prevent the scare you fear with. Restarting any device can help you fix any issue you face with any device.

Restart an iPhone

  • 1. Press and hold the iPhone Power button until you see the Power off slider there. Once the slider appears, drag it to your right side to turn the device off.
  • 2. Now, turn your device on again after hitting the same Power button.

preparing iphone for restore

Restart a computer

Navigate to the “Start” icon and select the Restart option from there. The process will take a few minutes before completion.

2. Update iTunes to Fix Preparing iPhone for Restore Stuck

After rebooting both the devices, check if “iTunes stuck on preparing iPhone for restore” is solved or not. Move on to the next solution if the issue persists.

Outdated iTunes version can cause many issues, and not being able to restore your iPhone is surely one of the main issues. Please keep on checking if a new iTunes version becomes available. Install the new update whenever it arrives. Here’s the brief step-by-step guide to update iTunes on PC.

  • 1. Open your iTunes app on computer, click on help > Check for Updates..
  • 2. Now, you’ll need to check whether the new iTunes update is available or not. If yes, install it straight away.

stuck on preparing iphone for restore

3. Check Network to Solve iTunes Preparing iPhone for Restore

Despite trying out a couple of appropriate solutions, your iPhone is stuck preparing iPhone for restoration; you need to check the internet connection.

It happens when your internet doesn’t bother to respond as it should, causing many issues for you. That’s why you’ll need to check your WiFi connection and check its running speed. If there are some issues with it, try to fix the issues.

However, navigate to the next solution if the internet connection is going well, but you’re still facing the same issue.

4. Update iPhone to Fix Preparing iPhone for Restore

A lot of iPhone issues occur due to outdated iOS versions. Remember, Apple releases a new iOS version to run every iPhone function appropriately. If you don’t pay attention to updating your iPhone regularly, no one can save you from having minor or major software glitches.

Similarly, if iTunes doesn’t go beyond preparing iPhone for Restore, you need to check for iPhone updates. You can install the new iOS version by reading the guide below.

  • 1. Go past iPhone settings and select “General” from there.
  • 2. Search for “Software Update” and install the new update if available. Try out news methods if this also didn’t make things happen for you.

preparing iphone for restore stuck

5. Use USB 2.0 or Faster port

It has been recommended that you use a USB 2.0 port on your PC when updating or restoring your iPhone device.

The biggest plus you carry with these ports is that your iPhone quickly gets firmware. However, if you’re using an older USB port, your iPhone might not be able to receive or transfer the data at the given time.

Eventually, an old USB port can also cause the “iPhone stuck on preparing iPhone for restore” issue. Hence, you should look to acquire the latest USB port to avoid any scare your iPhone can face.

Before finding the reasons and solutions of the issue, you’ll need to find out about the time iTunes tend to pass preparing iPhone for Restore.

Part 4: How to Completely Restore iPhone without iTunes via Starzsoft Fixcon

If you’re fed of facing iTunes being stuck while restoring iPhone, acquire the services of StarzSoft Fixcon. It is a pretty simple and quality third-party tool that helps you fix over 200 iOS device problems.

Steps of restoring device via StarzSoft Fixcon

  • 1. After reaching Fixcon’s official website, you’ll need to download the tool and launch it without wasting any time. Select Standard Repair Mode if you don’t want to lose any data.

    itunes preparing iphone for restore

  • 2. After finding the preferred firmware package, hit the “Download” to grab it.
  • 3. You’ll need to hit the “Continue” option to start restoring your device in the last phase. It takes a few minutes before getting everything done.

    how long does preparing iphone for restore take

Conclusion

If you have a “preparing iPhone for restore” issue, follow this guide as you can reliable to fix your issue. Apart from providing you with appropriate solutions, we were pretty keen to explore the reasons behind the issues.

However, if you want to restore your iPhone without any fuss, you can take the services of StarzSoft Fixcon.

Author: Hare Rainsun

Specialized in resolving iPhone/iPad/iPod touch issues for more than 10 years.