This iPhone Encountered an Issue While Starting? 7 Tested Solutions!

Part 1: What is the Recovery Assistant in iOS 26?

Recovery Assistant is a new feature in iOS 26 that helps fix iPhones that don’t start up normally. When your device shows this iPhone encountered an issue while starting, it can automatically enter Recovery mode. The assistant then looks for problems and tries to resolve them.

You can even use another Apple device, like an iPad, to help restore your iPhone and install the latest iOS version, bringing it back to a working state easily and safely.

Part 2: Why Does My iPhone Get Stuck on "This iPhone Encountered an Issue While Starting"

Your iPhone may show this iPhone encountered an issue while starting due to several common reasons supported by Apple and user reports:

• iOS Update Glitches: Apple notes that update failures or interrupted downloads can prevent iPhones from booting properly.
• Failed Restore or Backup: Restoring from iTunes or iCloud sometimes fails, leaving the device in a stuck state, as reported by multiple MacRumors and Reddit users.
• Software Bugs: Internal iOS 26 bugs can cause startup freezes, especially on older devices.
• Corrupted System Files: Damaged or incomplete system files can block normal booting.
• Hardware Issues: Faulty storage, battery, or logic board problems can trigger this error, according to Apple support guidelines.

Part 3. How to Fix This iPhone Encountered an Issue While Starting Stuck?

Method 1: One-Click to Exit iPhone Recovery Assistant Screen Stuck

Tenorshare ReiBoot offers a simple way to fix an iPhone stuck on the Recovery Assistant screen showing “this iPhone encountered an issue while starting.” Unlike restoring with iTunes, ReiBoot repairs the device without deleting any data, making it fast, safe, and reliable.

It works for iPhones stuck after updates, restores, jailbreaks, or other system problems. Tenorshare ReiBoot is designed to repair a wide range of iOS system issues without data loss.

Key Features of Tenorshare ReiBoot:

• Quickly exit iPhone Recovery mode or DFU mode with just one click.
• It repairs iOS system issues without erasing personal data like photos, apps, and files.
• Fixes common problems such as boot loops, black screens, and Apple logo freezes.
• It supports devices stuck after iOS updates or failed restores, restoring normal operation.
• The process is fast and user-friendly, with clear on-screen instructions for every step.

How to use Tenorshare reiboot to fix iPhone stuck:

• Download Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer and launch the program. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a certified USB cable. The software will detect your device, even if it’s stuck in Recovery Mode.

  

• On the ReiBoot interface, you will see the option to Exit Recovery Mode. Click Exit, and the tool will start the process to get your device out of Recovery Assistant mode.

  

• Within a minute, your iPhone will reboot automatically into its normal state. You should no longer see the Recovery Assistant screen or the error message, and all your data will remain safe.

  

Method 2: Downgrade iOS 26 to 18

One common reason why your iPhone gets stuck on the “This iPhone encountered an issue while starting” screen after updating to iOS 26 is that the beta firmware may still have stability issues. Since iOS 26 is not fully optimized, bugs and compatibility problems can easily cause startup glitches, leaving your device frozen on this page.

A proven way to fix this is to downgrade from iOS 26 back to the more stable iOS 18. By reinstalling a reliable iOS version, you remove the unstable firmware and bring your iPhone back to a smooth and normal boot process.

Important:

Make sure to backup your data before starting, as downgrading changes the iOS version.

Steps to Downgrade iOS 26 to 18 Using ReiBoot:

• Install Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer and connect your iPhone. Select “iOS Upgrade/Downgrade” from the interface.

  

• Click Downgrade and let ReiBoot detect the suitable iOS 18 firmware for your device.

  

• 3.Click Download to get the correct iOS 18 firmware. ReiBoot will fetch the official package automatically.

  

• 4.Once the firmware is ready, click initiating downgrade. Your iPhone will reboot automatically once the downgrade is complete.

  

• ReiBoot will automatically uninstall iOS 26 version and reinstall the stable iOS 18. Once the process is complete, click "Done".

  

Method 3: Force Restart iPhone & Wait

A simple yet effective way to fix this iPhone encountered an issue while starting is to force restart your device. This can clear temporary glitches and allow the iPhone to boot normally without data loss.

• iPhone 8 or later: Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, and press the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7 / 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down and Side buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold both the Home and Side (or Top) buttons together until the Apple logo appears.

Method 4: Restore iPhone by iTunes

Restoring your iPhone via iTunes can resolve startup issues, especially if system files are corrupted. Before restoring, make sure Find My iPhone is turned off. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Find My iPhone and toggle it off.

• Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable and tap Trust on your device.
• Open iTunes and click the iPhone icon in the top-left corner.
• In the Summary panel, click Restore iPhone.

• You will be prompted to back up your data. Confirm Restore, and iTunes will erase all content and settings while reinstalling iOS.

Method 5: Restore iPhone by Apple Devices

This method works because Apple allows you to use another trusted device to directly restore system files when your iPhone or iPad gets stuck. By leveraging this built-in recovery mechanism, the faulty device can quickly receive the correct setup information and return to normal without needing a computer.

If your iPhone 16 or iPad mini (A17 Pro) shows an animation of two devices being brought close together, it means you can restore it using another Apple device. The only requirement is that the other iPhone or iPad must be running iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 and below.

• Connect the iPhone or iPad in Recovery mode to a power source.
• Place it near another unlocked Apple device that is connected to Wi-Fi.
• When the “Restore Nearby [device]” message appears, tap Continue.

• Enter the six-digit code displayed on the device in Recovery mode into the nearby device to share its Wi-Fi connection.
• Tap OK when the “Restoring [device]” message appears.
• To monitor progress, bring the devices close together again if needed.

Method 6: Put iPhone into DFU Mode

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a deep restore mode that bypasses the iOS bootloader. It helps fix severe system issues, including when this iPhone encountered an issue while starting and Recovery mode fails.

Steps to Enter DFU Mode:

• Connect your iPhone to a computer via USB.
• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
• Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen goes black.
• While holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.

• Release the Side button but continue holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
• The screen should remain black, indicating your iPhone is now in DFU mode and ready for restore.

Method 7: Fix iPhone Recovery Screen Stuck Using MacBook

This method is proven by real users to fix iPhones stuck in recovery mode, especially after installing iOS 26 beta. It doesn’t require downgrading your iOS or restoring your device. Many users have successfully brought their iPhone back to normal using just a MacBook and Finder.

Steps:

• Connect your iPhone to a MacBook using a USB cable and open Finder.



Tips:

Your Mac may need to run a compatible macOS version (e.g., macOS Tahoe beta for iOS 26).

• Exit iPhone Recovery Mode.
• Press Volume Up briefly.
• Press Volume Down briefly.
• Press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen turns off and the iPhone restarts.
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• Confirm Restart:

Make sure the iPhone fully restarts, not just turns off.

• Check Device

Once restarted, your iPhone should boot to the Lock Screen and function normally.

Conclusion:

In this article, we see how this iPhone encountered an issue while starting can prevent your iPhone from working properly. Tenorshare ReiBoot provides a simple and reliable solution to repair iOS system problems, fix startup errors, and get your device back to normal. It’s fast, safe, and keeps all your data intact while resolving stubborn iPhone issues.

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