Q: “I just updated my iPhone 16 Pro Max to iOS 18.4 beta, and now it’s stuck on the ‘Hello’ screen. It won’t respond no matter what I try. Is this a known system bug? What should I do to fix it quickly?”
Is your iPhone 16 or 16 Pro Max stuck on the “Hello” screen and won’t move forward no matter what you do?
You’re not alone. This is a common issue for many users when setting up a new iPhone, updating to iOS 18, or restoring the device. It often happens due to activation errors, failed iCloud verification, or leftover MDM profiles.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through five proven methods to fix the Hello screen stuck issue on iPhone 16. Whether you want an official Apple fix or a quick workaround without Apple ID, this guide has you covered.
Part 1: Why Is My iPhone 16 Stuck on the Hello Screen?
Before trying to solve the problem, you should first understand what’s causing your iPhone to get stuck on the Hello screen, which will help you determine the most appropriate solution.
- iOS Update Failure: Interrupted or incomplete updates often result in boot issues (e.g. iPhone 16 won’t turn on) , especially if the device was updating wirelessly.
- System Bug During Setup: Apple’s new setup assistant sometimes fails to launch properly, causing the phone to freeze on the Hello screen.
- Data Migration Errors: When transferring data from another iPhone or iCloud backup, system conflicts or network drops can cause setup interruptions.
- Corrupted Firmware: In rare cases, firmware-level damage during setup or restoration could prevent the system from booting normally.
Part 2: How to Fix iPhone 16/Pro Max Stuck on Hello Screen
You don’t need to panic or head straight to the Apple Store. Most of the time, this issue can be resolved at home. Next, we’ll walk you through several effective methods to fix an iPhone 16/Pro/Pro Max stuck on the Hello screen.
Method 1: Force Restart Your iPhone 16/Pro Max
A forced reboot is often the fastest way to fix minor system issues on an iOS device, including an iPhone 16 or 16 Pro Max that’s stuck on the “Hello” screen. During this process, the iPhone’s system kernel is forced to be refreshed, which effectively clears up deadlines and lagging issues caused by software glitches or incorrect settings. and lagging problems caused by software glitches or settings errors.
Step 1: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Step 2: Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Step 3: Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Once the Apple logo shows up, release the button and wait for your iPhone to boot. If it loads past the Hello screen, you’ve successfully resolved the issue.
Method 2: Use iTunes/Finder to Update or Restore iPhone
If a force restart doesn’t resolve the Hello screen issue on your iPhone 16 or 16 Pro Max, your next best option is to use Apple’s official tools—iTunes or Finder. They allow you to either update your iPhone to the latest iOS version without erasing your data, or perform a full restore to factory settings if the problem persists.
Step 1: Connect your iPhone 16 to your computer using a USB-C cable.
Step 2: Launch iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later).
Step 3: Turn off your iPhone 16 and put it into recovery mode:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen (not the Apple logo).
Step 4: Once your computer detects the iPhone, select Update (or Restore) when prompted.
Note: Updating your iPhone this way reinstalls iOS without deleting your data. If “Update” fails, you can repeat the steps and choose “Restore” as a last resort (this will erase your iPhone).
Method 3: Fix with DFU Mode (Deep Firmware Restore)
If your iPhone 16 or 16 Pro Max is still stuck on the Hello screen after attempting basic fixes, entering Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode is a powerful next option. DFU Mode allows your iPhone to bypass the operating system and bootloader and perform deeper repairs with iTunes or the Finder.
However, be aware that using DFU mode will erase all data and settings on the device and you will get a “brand new” iPhone.
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a computer with the latest version of iTunes or Finder.
Step 2: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button.
Step 3: Press and hold the Side button until the screen goes black. Then, while holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
Step 4: Release the Side button, but continue holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds. If done correctly, your screen will remain black, and iTunes/Finder will detect your iPhone in DFU mode.
Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your iPhone to its factory settings.
After the reboot, your iPhone should be successfully unfrozen unless it has a hardware malfunction.
Method 4: Erase Your iPhone via iCloud (Find My iPhone)
If your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro Max is stuck on the Hello screen and you’re unable to interact with the device—such as when the physical buttons aren’t working or you don’t have access to a compute. As long as the device is connected to your Apple ID and “Find My iPhone” is enabled, then using iCloud to remotely erase the iPhone is a practical alternative.
Step 1: Visit the iCloud official website on any device and sign in to the Apple ID that is tied to your iPhone.
Step 2: Once you enter the main interface, click “Find My iPhone”.
Step 3: Select your stuck iPhone on the map.
Step 4: Click “Erase iPhone” at the bottom right corner to confirm the execution.
Step 5: Wait for the remote wipe to complete, your iPhone will reboot and enter the initial setup screen.
Related Reading: How to Remove an Apple ID from iPhone 16
Method 5: Visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider
If none of the above methods solve the issue, your iPhone 16 or 16 Pro Max may have a faulty display, logic board issue, or other hardware-related problem. In this case, it’s best to seek professional help by contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service provider for a proper diagnostic and repair.
Step 1: Locate the nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider using Apple’s official website.
Step 2: Make an appointment via the Apple Support app or online.
Step 3: Bring your device along with your purchase receipt or warranty details for diagnosis.
Step 4: If your iPhone 16 is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, any necessary repairs or replacements may be free or at a reduced cost.
FAQ: iPhone 16/Pro Max Stuck on Hello Screen
Q1: Why is my iPhone 16 stuck on the Hello screen after updating?
A: This can happen due to activation errors, unstable network connections, or system glitches during or after an iOS update. A force restart or restore via iTunes/Finder often resolves it.
Q2: Can I set up my iPhone if it’s stuck on the Hello screen?
A: If your iPhone is stuck, try a force restart or connect it to your computer and use iTunes/Finder to restore the device. If that doesn’t work, it may require Apple support, especially if the activation lock is present.
Q3: Does a stuck Hello screen mean my iPhone is locked?
A: Not always. It could be a simple software glitch. However, if you see an “Activation Lock” message during setup, the iPhone is tied to an Apple ID and you’ll need the original credentials to proceed.
Conclusion
Getting stuck on the Hello screen can be incredibly frustrating—especially on a brand-new iPhone 16 or 16 Pro Max. Fortunately, most of the time, this issue is caused by minor glitches or update failures that can be resolved without advanced technical skills.
By following the methods in this guide, you should be able to get your iPhone past the Hello screen and back to normal use. Hopefully you won’t run into any more setup hurdles.