- You can fix an iPhone that won’t turn on after iOS 26 update by forcing it to restart or checking for charging or hardware issues.
- If all else fails, plug your iPhone into a computer to see if you can back it up before sending it for repairs.
It can be terrifying if your iPhone won’t turn on after iOS 26 update. It might seem like there could be a million things wrong, and who knows where to start? Is it even fixable?
In general, you can narrow it down to one of three key issues: an iOS 26 glitch, a charging malfunction, or a serious hardware problem.
Here’s how to figure out why your iPhone is not turning on after iOS 26 update and how to fix it.
How to turn on an iPhone
You need to make sure you’re turning on your iPhone the right way before trying any of the troubleshooting steps mentioned below.
Press and hold the Power button (which is on the right side. After a few seconds, an Apple logo should appear on the screen.
What to do if your iPhone won’t turn on after iOS 26 update
Once you’re sure that you can switch on your iPhone properly, you can try to get to the bottom of why it’s not turning on.
1. Force your iPhone to restart
The first thing you should do if you’re iPhone won’t turn on after iOS 26 update is forcing it to restart.
- Quickly press and let go of the volume up button.
- Quickly press and let go of the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Then let go.
If your phone restarts successfully, your problem is solved. It’s safe to say that a minor iOS 26 glitch was preventing your iPhone from turning on properly. If your iPhone doesn’t turn on, move onto the next solution.
2. Try charging your phone
If your iPhone doesn’t turn on, it’s possible the battery is completely dead. Here’s what you should do:
- Plug your iPhone to a power source and let it charge for one hour.
- Force restart your iPhone.
If your iPhone shows a low-charge battery, there might be something wrong with the way it’s charging. Check the phone’s USB-C port to make sure it isn’t filled with lint or debris, and check your charging cable and USB adapter for signs of damage, like breakage or bent prongs. Don’t use damaged accessories. If necessary, swap the cable and USB adapter for another.
Charge your iPhone again for 30 minutes or until it starts. Be sure to plug the phone directly into a wall outlet rather than a computer’s USB port, to make sure the the phone is receiving enough power supply.
It’s entirely possible that the USB-C port or your laptop’s USB port has failed, and since it wasn’t charging, you couldn’t turn it on. If so, this should solve your problem.
Quick tip: if the problem still persists, there are more troubleshooting steps you can try to fix an iPhone that won’t charge after iOS 26 update.
3. My iPhone can’t turn on past the Apple logo screen
If your iPhone turns on but gets stuck on the Apple logo screen, connect your device to a computer, then put your phone into recovery mode with these steps:
- Quickly press and let go of the Volume Up button. Quickly press and let go of the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button. Keep holding the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- On a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, open the Finder. On a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes. When asked to update or restore, choose Update. This will update your device to the latest version of iOS 26. If you choose Restore, it will erase your iPhone.
4. Troubleshoot a hardware problem
If your iPhone still won’t turn on, you might be dealing with a hardware issue. Some of the most likely issues include:
- Water damage. You might have gotten your phone wet and it has caused some components to fail.
- Drop damage. If you’ve dropped the phone, it might have damaged the screen (most likely) or internal components (less likely), preventing it from working.
- Component failure. As reliable as iPhones are, it’s always possible that one can fail due to a manufacturing defect. It’s rare, but it can happen.
To see if your phone has any life in it at all, try this:
- Connect your ailing iPhone to a USB-C cable and plug it into a computer.
- If you are using a windows computer, open iTunes. If you are using a Mac, open Finder.
- Check to see if iTunes or Finder recognizes your iPhone. You should see the icon for your iPhone appear in the iTunes or Finder window. If so, you’re in luck — your iPhone is actually powered on, and you can probably back it up.
- If you see the iPhone icon appear, click it and then click Back Up Now to try to ensure you have a good backup of your phone’s apps and data. You can later use this backup to restore your phone after it’s serviced or replaced.
5. Contact Apple support
If your iPhone still won’t turn on, you might need service. Contact Apple support to have your phone serviced or replaced.