iPhone Stuck at Update Requested? 7 Fixes That Actually Work

Waiting to try the latest iOS 26 features but stuck on the dreaded “Update Requested” screen? You’re not alone! Many iPhone users run into this issue when trying to install the latest update due to network congestion or storage issues. In this guide, you’ll find 7 reliable fixes to clear the “Update Requested” state and get the update installing smoothly.

What Does “Update Requested” Mean on iPhone?

When you open the Software Update page and tap the Download and Install button to get the new iOS update, your iPhone sends request to Apple servers first to get permission for downloading the update file. During this time, you’ll see “Update Requested” on your screen. Basically, your iPhone is waiting for its turn to start the OTA update process.

Why My iPhone is Stuck on Update Requested? 

Normally, the “Update Requested” message should only last a few seconds or minutes. But if your iPhone is stuck there forever, a few common culprits could be to blame: 

1. Slow or unstable Wi-Fi: If your connection drops or slow, your iPhone can’t move forward. 
2. Busy Apple servers: When everyone rushes to update at the same time, Apple’s servers get overloaded. 
3. Low storage space: Not enough free space on your iPhone? The update won’t download.
4. Glitches or bugs: Sometimes, your iPhone just gets stuck due to a random software hiccup.

How to Fix “Update Requested” on iPhone

If your iOS 26 update is stuck, try the solutions below to resolve the issue:

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1. Force Quit the Settings App 

The first step is to force close the Settings app. 

• On iPhones with Face ID: Swipe up from the bottom center and hold to bring up the App Switcher. Find the Settings app and swipe it up to force close. 
• On iPhones with a Home button: Double-press the Home button to access the App Switcher, then swipe up on the Settings app. 

Wait a few seconds, reopen Settings, and check if the update starts downloading. 

2. Check Your Wi-Fi and Restart the Router

Ensure you’re connected to a fast and stable Wi-Fi network. Restart your Wi-Fi router to refresh the connection, which may help trigger the iOS 26 download. 

Additionally, ensure you have turned off any VPN on your iPhone (if enabled). And if this doesn’t help, try connecting your iPhone to a different Wi-Fi network altogether. This will most likely start the new iOS download. 

3. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can work wonders. 

• Power off your iPhone, wait for a minute, and then turn it back on. 
• Once restarted, go to Settings > General > Software Update and check if the download begins. 

4. Delete the iOS Update File (If Visible)

If the update file is already downloaded but stuck: 

1. Open iPhone Settings and tap General. 
2. Tap iPhone Storage. 
3. Scroll down, and if you see any file named iOS 26, tap it.
4. From the next screen, tap Delete Update. 
5. Next, restart your iPhone and follow the steps to download iOS 26 again. 

5. Free Up Storage Space on Your iPhone

If your iPhone lacks sufficient storage, the update might fail to proceed. 

• Try deleting unused apps, large photos/videos, and offline music to free up at least 15GB of space. 

You can also follow our detailed guide on how to free up space on iPhone. 

6. Reset Network Settings

Network glitches can block the update request from proceeding. Here’s how to reset them:

1. Open Settings and tap General. 
2. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. 
3. Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings and proceed. 
4. After this is complete, try downloading the update again. It will work. 
   
   

In the rare case that resetting the network is not enough, reset all settings. The steps are the same as above. Just make sure to select Reset All Settings in step 3.

This will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and custom network configurations.

7. Update via Finder or iTunes

If nothing else works, use a computer to update your iPhone:

• On Macs with macOS Catalina or later: Use Finder.
• On older Macs or Windows PCs: Use iTunes.

Connect your iPhone, back it up, and check for updates. For step-by-step instructions, follow our guide on how to update your iPhone using Finder or iTunes.

Signing off…

That’s it. These are the most effective ways fix your iPhone when it’s stuck on “Update Requested” while trying to install iOS 26. Hopefully, your iPhone is now downloading the update as it should. 

If you’re still facing trouble, feel free to drop your questions in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help.