How to fix a flashing Apple Logo on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch

If the Apple® logo on your iPhone®, iPad®, or Apple Watch® is flashing and nothing will load, you may assume the worst: Your device is broken, and you’ll need to buy a new one. Don’t worry, though—this is a common problem, and there are usually some simple fixes.

Asurion is your one-stop shop for repairing, protecting, and getting the most out of your tech. From ways to extend the life of your iPhone to how to fix an iPad that won’t charge, our experts can help get you back up and running, fast. Here’s how to fix a flashing Apple Logo on an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Why are you seeing a screen with a blinking Apple logo?

There are a few potential reasons why your device keeps flashing the logo:

•  Update errors. A flashing Apple logo can appear if an update file gets interrupted or corrupted, like when updating to the latest operating system. Think of it like your phone is having a brain freeze.
• External devices issues. Your security settings can falsely detect a charger, a computer, or anything else connected to your device as a threat.
• Hardware malfunction. Damage to your hardware can cause your screen to show a blinking Apple logo.
• Jailbreaking. Attempting to modify manufacturer or carrier limitations or downloading an app from an untrustworthy site can lead to a black screen with a flashing Apple logo.

How to fix a flashing Apple logo on your iPhone

There are two simple ways to troubleshoot this problem. We’ll walk you through them.

Force your iPhone to restart

Restarting your iPhone forces all the programs and data on your device to reset, including whatever may be causing the blinking Apple logo. Here’s how to force restart your iPhone.

iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generations), and later:

1. Quickly press the Volume Up button, then press and the Volume Down button.
2. Press and hold the Power button. Continue holding until the phone restarts and the Apple logo appears.

iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6, or earlier:

Press and hold the Power and Home buttons. Continue holding both buttons until the phone restarts and the Apple logo appears.

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Use recovery mode

Recovery mode lets you update, erase, and restore a previously saved version of your device from iTunes®. This lets you access your iPhone or iPad without having to worry about the screen with the Apple logo.

Keep in mind, recovery mode only works if you’ve connected your iPhone to iTunes in the past. If you’ve never connected to it before, your computer might not recognize your phone. Follow these steps to update your device in recovery mode:

 iPhone 8 or later:

1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a computer that has iTunes on it.
2. Press the Volume Up button.
3. Press the Volume Down button.
4. Press and hold the Power button until you see the recovery mode screen.
5. When prompted to update or restore, select Update. This will update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS®.

iPhone 7:

1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a computer that has iTunes on it.
2. Press and hold both the Volume Down and the Power buttons. Hold the buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
3. When prompted to update or restore, select Update. This will update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS.

iPhone 6s or older:

1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a computer that has iTunes on it.
2. Press and hold the Home and Power buttons. Hold the buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
3. When prompted to update or restore, select Update. This will update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS.

How to fix a flashing Apple logo on your iPad

Fixing a flashing Apple logo on your iPad is very similar to fixing this problem on your iPhone. We’ll walk you through the details.

Force restart your iPad

As with your iPhone, forcing your iPad to restart should solve this problem. Here’s how:

iPads without a Home button:

1. Press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Top button until the iPad begins to restart.

iPads with a Home button:

Press and hold the Home button and the Top button until the iPad restarts and you see the Apple logo.

Use recovery mode

If restarting your iPad doesn’t work, try putting your device in recovery mode. Here’s how:

iPad without a Home button:

1. Press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Top button until you see the recovery screen.
4. When prompted to update or restore, select Update. This will update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS.

iPad with a Home button:

1. Press and hold the Home button and the Top button until you see the recovery screen.
2. When prompted to update or restore, select Update. This will update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS.

How to fix a flashing Apple logo on your Apple Watch

Like the iPhone and iPad, the Apple Watch can also have this issue. If it does, try these fixes to correct it.

Force your Apple Watch to restart

1. Hold the Digital Crown and the Side button.
2. Release the buttons when the device restarts and you see the Apple logo.

Complete a factory reset on your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch relies on the operating system of the phone it’s synced up with. This means you can’t connect it to iTunes the way you would other Apple devices. So, if the Apple logo keeps flashing and forcing your watch to restart doesn’t fix it, you’ll need to complete a factory reset. Here’s how:

1. From the iPhone the Watch is paired with, open the Watch App.
2. Select General > Reset .
3. Select Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings. Confirm decision to restore default settings when prompted.