iPhone 18 Pro Max Stuck on Update Requested? How to Fix It

Why Is My iPhone 18 Pro Max Stuck on Update Requested?

The “Update Requested” message generally means that your iPhone has requested the software update but has not yet moved on to the next stage of the update process.

For a newly released iPhone 18 Pro Max, there is another factor to consider: iOS 27.

Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launched shortly afterward. Because some launch-day devices may require a software update during setup, users can encounter an update screen before they have fully completed the setup process.

The iOS 27 release includes the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max among its supported devices, so seeing an iOS update during setup is not necessarily a sign that your new iPhone is defective.

However, if the phone remains on “Update Requested” without making progress, the problem may be related to the Wi-Fi connection, Apple's update servers, the update process itself, or a temporary iOS software issue.

Is It Normal for a New iPhone 18 Pro Max to Require an iOS 27 Update?

Yes.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are closely tied to the iOS 27 launch cycle. iOS 27 became publicly available on September 14, while the iPhone 18 Pro lineup became available shortly afterward.

This means some new iPhone 18 Pro Max units may need to complete an update during the initial setup process.

Therefore, an update screen by itself does not necessarily mean something is wrong with your new iPhone.

The important distinction is whether the update is still progressing or whether it has genuinely become stuck.

If the phone has only been showing “Update Requested” for a short time, keeping it connected to power and stable Wi-Fi may be enough. If it remains unchanged for an unusually long period, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.

How to Fix iPhone 18 Pro Max Stuck on Update Requested?

Try the following solutions in order. Start with the least disruptive method before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting.

Step 1: Keep Your iPhone Connected to Power

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max is waiting for an update, connect it to a power source and leave it connected while the update process runs.

Software updates can take time, especially when a new iOS version has just been released and many users are attempting to update their devices at the same time.

Avoid repeatedly restarting the update process if the phone is still responding normally.

Give the device some time to complete the request before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

A stable Wi-Fi connection is important when downloading an iOS update.

If your Wi-Fi connection is weak or unstable, the update may remain at the requested stage instead of continuing normally.

Try the following:

• Move closer to your Wi-Fi router.
• Make sure other devices can access the internet normally.
• Disconnect from a weak or overloaded Wi-Fi network and connect to a more reliable one.
• If possible, try another trusted Wi-Fi network.
• Temporarily disable a VPN or proxy connection if you are using one.

Apple also recommends using Wi-Fi when downloading iOS updates. Network configuration can affect whether an iPhone can properly communicate with Apple's update servers.

Once the connection is stable, try the update again.

Step 3: Force Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

If the iPhone remains stuck and does not respond normally, a force restart can clear a temporary software problem without requiring you to erase the device.

For iPhone 18 Pro Max, follow these steps:

• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
• Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Side button.
• Keep holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• Release the Side button when you see the Apple logo.

The force restart does not require you to erase the iPhone. After the iPhone restarts, reconnect it to Wi-Fi and try the software update again.

Step 4: Try Updating iOS 27 Again

After restarting your iPhone, go back to the software update screen and try the update again.

If you can access the iPhone's Settings app, open:

Settings > General > Software Updat

Then check whether an iOS 27 update is available.

If he update appears, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

If the update request remains stuck, you can also check whether your iPhone has already downloaded an incomplete update package. If a downloaded update appears in iPhone Storage, deleting the update and downloading it again can sometimes resolve a stalled update.

Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient battery power before trying again.

Step 5: Update Your iPhone 18 Pro Max Using a Computer

If updating directly on the iPhone does not work, try updating it through a computer.

Apple supports updating iPhone using:

• Finder on Mac
• Apple Devices on Windows

Connect your iPhone 18 Pro Max to the computer with a USB cable and open the appropriate app.

If the computer recognizes the iPhone and offers an Update option, try updating the device rather than immediately choosing Restore.

An update attempts to reinstall or update iOS while preserving your personal data. By contrast, choosing Restore reinstalls iOS and erases the device.

If your iPhone is new and you are still in the setup process, using the computer-based update method can be particularly useful when the normal over-the-air update is not progressing.

What If My iPhone 18 Pro Max Is Still Stuck After These Fixes?

If your iPhone remains stuck after restarting, checking the network, retrying the update, and using a computer, the problem may require deeper iOS system troubleshooting.

At this point, you can consider using a dedicated iOS system repair tool such as Tenorshare ReiBoot.

ReiBoot supports the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, as well as iOS 27. It includes a Standard Repair mode designed to repair common iOS system problems without intentionally erasing user data.

Step 1: Connect iPhone to Computer

Download and install Tenorshare ReiBoot on your Windows PC or Mac.

Connect your iPhone 18 Pro Max to the computer using a USB cable and launch ReiBoot.

Click Start Repair to begin the system repair process.

Step 2: Choose Standard Repair

ReiBoot provides different repair options.

For an iPhone that is stuck during an update, start with Standard Repair.

Standard Repair is designed to address iOS system problems while preserving user data under normal conditions.

This makes it a more appropriate option to try before considering a deeper repair that may erase the device.

Step 3: Download Firmware Package

ReiBoot will detect the connected iPhone and provide the appropriate firmware package.

Download the firmware package required for your iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Make sure the computer has a stable internet connection because the firmware package can be large.

Step 4: Start Standard Repair

After the firmware package has been downloaded, click Start Standard Repair.

ReiBoot will use the firmware package to repair the iOS system.

Do not disconnect your iPhone during the repair process.

Step 5: Wait for the Repair to Complete

Keep your iPhone connected until the repair process finishes.

Once the process is complete, the iPhone should restart normally.

You can then check whether the software update and initial setup can continue.

Will Fixing the Update Erase My iPhone Data?

It depends on the method you use.

A normal iOS update is designed to update the operating system without erasing your personal data.

A force restart also does not erase your data.

When using a computer, choose Update before considering Restore. Apple specifically recommends trying an update first when troubleshooting an iPhone that cannot update or restore.

Be careful with Restore, because Apple's Restore process reinstalls iOS and erases the device.

If you use ReiBoot, start with Standard Repair. Tenorshare describes Standard Repair as the data-preserving repair option, while its deeper repair mode can result in data loss.

When Should You Contact Apple Support?

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max still cannot update after trying the standard troubleshooting steps, Apple Support may be the next option.

This is especially important if:

• Your computer cannot recognize the iPhone.
• The iPhone repeatedly enters recovery mode.
• The device shows the Apple logo without progressing.
• You cannot complete an update or restore using recovery mode.
• A hardware button is not working correctly.
• The iPhone remains unusable after troubleshooting.

Apple recommends using recovery mode when an iPhone cannot be updated or restored normally. If recovery mode also fails, Apple may recommend service.

iPhone 18 Pro Max Stuck on Update Requested: What Should You Try First?

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max is stuck on Update Requested, don't immediately assume that the phone is defective.

Because the iPhone 18 Pro lineup launched alongside iOS 27, an update during initial setup can be part of the normal setup process.

Start with the simplest solutions:

• Keep the iPhone connected to power.
• Use a stable Wi-Fi connection.
• Wait for the update to progress.
• Force restart the iPhone if it becomes unresponsive.
• Try the iOS 27 update again.
• Update the iPhone using Finder or Apple Devices.
• If the problem continues, consider an iOS system repair tool such as Tenorshare ReiBoot.
• Contact Apple Support if the device still cannot be updated or restored.

For most users, the key is to distinguish between an update that is taking longer than expected and an update that is actually stuck. Start with Apple's standard troubleshooting methods, and only move to deeper system repair when those methods do not resolve the problem.

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