iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo or Boot Loop: Sell or Fix?

An iPhone stuck on the Apple logo or restarting in a loop can often be fixed with a force restart, an Update through recovery mode or a full Restore; when the loop continues after a Restore, the cause is hardware, and the phone can still be sold as a non-working phone. Software causes include a failed iOS update and full storage. Hardware causes include a failing battery, a damaged logic board and liquid damage. The fix order goes from least to most data loss. A phone that still loops after a Restore is quoted as non-working on Sell Broken iPhone for Cash.

Step 1: force restart.
Step 2: recovery mode, then Update, which keeps data.
Step 3: recovery mode, then Restore, which erases the phone.
Still looping: a hardware fault; sell as non-working with Activation Lock removed.

How do I fix a boot loop?

Fix a boot loop in 4 steps, in this order:

Force restart: on iPhone 8 and later, press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears again.
Charge for 1 hour: connect a known-good charger, because a deeply discharged battery can cause restarts.
Recovery mode Update: connect to a Mac or Windows PC, enter recovery mode and choose Update, which reinstalls iOS without erasing data.
Recovery mode Restore: when Update fails, choose Restore, which erases the phone and installs a fresh copy of iOS.

Each step takes from 1 minute to about 45 minutes. How to Put an iPhone in Recovery Mode (Every Model) lists the button steps for every model.

Can a boot-looping iPhone be sold?

A boot-looping iPhone can be sold, and the result depends on whether it can be fixed and whether Activation Lock can be removed. The table shows each case.

Situation	Sale result
Fixed by a restart or Update, all functions work	Graded on condition like a working phone
Fixed by a Restore, all functions work	Graded on condition like a working phone
Still looping, removed from the Apple Account	Non-working offer
Still looping, still on the Apple Account	Not ready; remove it at icloud.com/find first

A phone that loops can still be removed from the Apple Account at icloud.com/find, because the removal happens on Apple's servers. Selling an iPhone That Won't Turn On: Your Options covers non-working phones.

When is it a hardware fault?

A boot loop is a hardware fault when it continues after a successful Restore, or when the Restore itself fails repeatedly. The table lists common signs.

Sign	Likely hardware cause
Loops only when unplugged	Failing battery
Loops after liquid exposure	Corrosion on the logic board
Loops after a drop	Logic board or connector damage
Restore fails with errors such as 4013 or 4014	Logic board, storage or connection fault
Loops after a battery or screen repair	A loose connector or a faulty replacement part

Apple Support lists restore error codes that point to hardware. A repair shop can diagnose the exact component.

What causes an iPhone to get stuck on the Apple logo?

An iPhone gets stuck on the Apple logo from 5 common causes:

An iOS update that was interrupted or failed.
Storage that is completely full, leaving no space to start.
A battery too weak to complete startup.
Logic board damage from a drop or liquid.
A faulty replacement part from a previous repair.

Causes 1 and 2 are software and are usually fixed by recovery mode. Causes 3–5 are hardware.

Will I lose my data fixing a boot loop?

A force restart and a recovery mode Update keep data. A Restore erases data, leaving only what is in an iCloud backup, a computer backup or iCloud sync services. Try the Update before the Restore. When the phone must be restored, check icloud.com for the latest backup date first.

Is repairing a hardware boot loop worth it?

Repairing a hardware boot loop is worth it only when the repair cost is clearly lower than the difference between the working offer and the non-working offer. A battery replacement, which Apple lists at a fixed price by model, is often worth it when the battery is the cause. Logic board repairs are more expensive and are often close to the phone's value on older models. Get a diagnosis before paying for a repair.

How do I test whether the battery is the cause?

Test whether the battery is the cause in 3 steps:

Connect the phone to a known-good charger and leave it for 1 hour.
Try to start it while still connected.
Note whether it starts normally when connected and loops when unplugged.

A phone that starts only on the charger usually has a failing battery. When it starts, check Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Does Battery Health Change What You Get to Sell an iPhone? explains battery grading.

How do I remove a boot-looping iPhone from my Apple Account?

Remove a boot-looping iPhone from the Apple Account in 4 steps, without using the phone:

Sign in at icloud.com/find with the Apple Account.
Select the iPhone in All Devices.
Choose Remove This Device, or Erase This Device first if the phone connects.
Confirm that the phone no longer appears at account.apple.com under Devices.

The removal turns off Activation Lock on Apple's servers, so a buyer can test the phone after a repair.

What should I declare in the quote form?

Declare 3 facts for a boot loop: the phone does not start normally, the steps already tried, such as an Update or a Restore, and any cause known, such as a drop or liquid. Choose the non-working option when the loop continues after a Restore. Accurate answers keep the paid amount equal to the quote.

Does a boot loop after an update mean the phone is broken?

A boot loop right after an iOS update is usually a software problem, and a recovery mode Update or Restore usually fixes it. When the phone loops again after a clean Restore, the update only exposed an existing hardware weakness, such as a failing battery or storage chip.

Can full storage cause a boot loop?

Completely full storage can prevent an iPhone from finishing startup, because iOS needs free space for system files. A recovery mode Update sometimes frees enough space to start. When it does not, a Restore is needed. Keep at least a few gigabytes free to avoid the problem.

Should I sell or fix a boot-looping iPhone?

Sell a boot-looping iPhone when a Restore does not fix it and the likely repair is a logic board, because the repair cost often exceeds the price difference. Fix it when the cause is software, which recovery mode solves for free, or when a battery replacement solves it at a fixed price. How Much Is a Broken iPhone Worth? Fault-by-Fault Guide compares non-working values.

How is a boot-looping phone tested?

A boot-looping phone is tested by connecting it to power and a computer, attempting a recovery mode restore and checking Activation Lock status with Apple's systems. A phone that restores and passes functional tests is graded as working on its condition. A phone that cannot complete startup is graded as non-working.

Is a boot-looping iPhone worth anything?

A boot-looping iPhone is worth a non-working offer when it is removed from the Apple Account and not reported lost or stolen. Recent models keep more value, because refurbishers can repair the logic board or recover parts. Older models earn less. Phones still on an Apple Account are not bought until the owner removes them.

What are the force restart steps for older models?

Force restart steps differ by model group. The table lists each.

Models	Force restart steps
iPhone 8 and later, including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation	Press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus	Hold the side button and volume down together until the Apple logo appears
iPhone 6s and earlier, iPhone SE 1st generation	Hold the Home button and the side or top button together until the Apple logo appears

A force restart does not erase data.

How long should I wait on the Apple logo?

Wait about 15–20 minutes on the Apple logo after an iOS update, because large updates can take time to finish installing, especially when a progress bar is shown. A phone that shows the logo with no progress for longer than 1 hour, or restarts repeatedly, needs a force restart and then recovery mode.

Can a boot loop come from a third-party repair?

A boot loop can come from a third-party repair when a connector was left loose or a replacement battery or display is faulty. Ask the repair shop to check the connections first, because a reseated connector is a quick fix. iOS records replaced parts in Parts and Service History, which shows after the phone starts.

What happens if the phone loops during a Restore?

A phone that loops during a Restore leaves recovery mode before the install finishes. Enter recovery mode again and repeat the Restore with a different cable and USB port. When the Restore fails 3 times with the same error, the phone has a hardware fault and is sold as non-working.

How do I ship a boot-looping iPhone?

Ship a boot-looping iPhone the same way as a working phone, as long as the battery is not swollen or hot. Wrap it, pad the box so it cannot move and attach the free prepaid tracked label. A phone that becomes hot while looping should be turned off by holding the force restart buttons and then left off, because repeated restarts drain the battery and generate heat. How to Pack and Ship an iPhone Safely When You Sell It covers packing.

Does AppleCare+ cover a boot loop?

AppleCare+ covers hardware failures and accidental damage that cause a boot loop, and the one-year limited warranty covers defects without damage. Check coverage at checkcoverage.apple.com.

Can a boot-looping phone transfer data?

A boot-looping phone cannot transfer data with Quick Start. Restore the latest iCloud or computer backup to the new phone instead.

Frequently asked questions about boot loops

How do I fix an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo?

Force restart the iPhone first. On iPhone 8 and later, press and release volume up, press and release volume down and hold the side button. When it still sticks, connect it to a computer, enter recovery mode and choose Update, which keeps data, then Restore, which erases the phone. A free quote with these details shows the exact offer, which stays valid for 14 days.

Can I sell an iPhone that is stuck in a boot loop?

An iPhone stuck in a boot loop can be sold as a non-working phone after it is removed from the Apple Account at icloud.com/find. When a recovery mode Restore fixes the loop and every function works, the phone is graded on its condition like any working iPhone instead of as non-working.

Is a boot loop a hardware or software problem?

A boot loop is software when a recovery mode Update or Restore fixes it, often after a failed iOS update or full storage. It is hardware when it continues after a successful Restore or the Restore fails repeatedly, which points to the battery, the logic board or a faulty replacement part.

Will fixing a boot loop delete my data?

A force restart and a recovery mode Update keep data, while a recovery mode Restore erases the phone. Only data in an iCloud backup, a computer backup or iCloud sync services remains after a Restore. Try the Update first and check the latest backup date at icloud.com before restoring. Testing within 1–2 business days of arrival confirms the result before any payment is sent.

Is it worth fixing a boot-looping iPhone?

Fixing a boot loop is worth it when the cause is software, which recovery mode fixes at no cost, or the battery, which Apple replaces at a fixed price. When the cause is the logic board, the repair often costs close to the phone's value, and selling it as non-working usually returns more.

Sources and references

Apple Support: if your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo, and if you cannot update or restore your iPhone.
Apple Support: restore error codes and their meaning.
Apple Support: iPhone battery replacement pricing.