by Have you ever picked up your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch only to be greeted by a flashing, non-responsive Apple logo? It’s an unsettling feeling, almost like your device is sending out an SOS.
A flashing logo likely signals that something has gone wrong on the software side of things.
Flashing Apple Logo on iPhone
The good news is, with a few troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the issue yourself without a trip to the Apple store.
Why You Might See the Flashing Apple Logo on iPhone?
There are a few common culprits behind the flashing Apple logo:
- Failed software updates: If an iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, etc. update gets interrupted or doesn’t fully install, it can cause the device to get stuck in a reboot loop.
- Connected device issues: Sometimes your iPhone will falsely flag something connected to it (like a computer or charger) as a security threat, triggering the reboot.
- Hardware problems: Actual hardware damage, like a faulty logic board, can rarely cause the blinking logo as well.
- Jailbreaking: Jailbreaking your device or downloading apps from outside the App Store breaches Apple’s security protocols, which could also lead to the logo.
So in most cases, it’s just the software getting confused and failing to boot properly.
Fixing an iPhone with the Flashing Logo:
Forcing your iPhone to power cycle and restart is often enough to clear small software glitches:
Hard Reset An iPhone 8 or Newer
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
This will force your iPhone to suddenly reboot, power cycling all components.
Hard Reset an iPhone 7 or Older
- Press and hold both the Power and Home buttons simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo pops up again, then release.
Again, this will abruptly reboot and power cycle your iPhone. If the flashing logo was caused by a temporary software bug, this should clear it.
Put Your iPhone Into Recovery Mode
If the hard reset doesn’t work, try putting your iPhone into Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes via a charging cable.
- Next, perform the below keypress sequence for your iPhone model:
- iPhone 8 or Newer: Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then press and hold Power until you see the Recovery screen.
- iPhone 7: Hold Power + Volume Down until the Recovery screen appears.
- iPhone 6s or Older: Hold Home + Power until Recovery Mode activates.
- In Recovery Mode, select “Update” when prompted. This will install the latest iOS version without overwriting your data.
This should eliminate any bugs related to a failed iOS update.
Fixing an iPad With the Flashing Logo:
The process is very similar for iPads:
Hard Reset Your iPad
- For iPads without a Home button: Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, press and hold the Top/Power button.
- For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the Home button and Top button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
As with iPhones, this forces a sudden reboot, power cycling all components. Clearing small errors.
Put Your iPad Into Recovery Mode
If a hard reset doesn’t work:
- Connect your iPad to a computer with iTunes via USB-C or Lightning cable.
- Next, perform the keypress sequence below for your model:
- iPad without Home Button: Volume up > Volume down > Hold the top button until the Recovery screen appears.
- iPad with Home Button: Hold the Home and Top buttons until Recovery Mode activates.
- Select “Update” when prompted in iTunes to install the latest iPadOS.
This will install a clean, updated iPad operating system, without overwriting your data. Fixing any software corruption issues triggering the flashing logo.
Fixing an Apple Watch with the Flashing Logo:
For Apple Watches, you again want to attempt restarting the device:
Force Restart Your Apple Watch
Press and hold both the Digital Crown and Side buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
If that doesn’t work:
Factory Reset the Apple Watch
- Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Go to General -> Reset.
- Select Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings.
This will erase and fully reset your watch, fixing any corrupted watchOS files. You can then repair it with your iPhone, restoring your data from an iCloud or iTunes backup after.
When To Seek Out Repair Service?
If you still see the flashing logo after multiple restart attempts and factory resets, there may be a hardware issue at fault. Seek professional Apple device repair in that case.
Our uBreakiFix techs can diagnose blinking Apple logo issues and either fix the software triggering it or swap any hardware components at fault, like the logic board or internal cables. We repair all iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch models, offering free diagnostics.
Top Options for Professional Apple Device Repair
| Repair Shop | Benefits | Price Range |
| uBreakiFix | The national chain, professional Apple technicians, free diagnostics | $$-$$$ |
| Apple Store | Genius Bar appointments, official Apple parts | $$$ |
| Independent repair pros | More affordable, customizable service | $-$$ |
With the right troubleshooting or professional repair help, you can recover from the dreaded flashing Apple logo and get your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch working again in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Flashing Apple Logo:
Still, have questions about what to do when you see the spinning wheel of death—aka the flashing Apple logo screen? Here are answers to some common questions related to resolving this pesky issue.
- What’s the easiest way to fix the flashing logo on my iPhone/iPad?
Forcing your device to restart (hard reset on iPhone, standard restart on iPad) is the simplest first step to clear temporary software glitches causing the logo.
- Why does my device get stuck on the Apple logo screen?
Failing or corrupt software updates are the most common culprits. Hardware damage or unauthorized modifications like jailbreaking can also trigger the logo.
- Can I bypass the flashing logo without data loss?
Putting your device into recovery mode allows you to install the latest operating system without data loss, often resolving software-related causes.
- Is the flashing logo a sign of serious damage?
Not necessarily—it’s most often just a software issue. But if flickering persists after resets and recovery attempts, internal hardware damage is possible.
- How much does Apple charge to repair flashing logo issues?
Apple doesn’t publicly list repair pricing. Independent repair shops offer more affordable service. Cost varies based on specific iPhone models and necessary parts replacements.
- Will I lose all my data if I factory reset to fix the logo?
You can restore your data from an iCloud or iTunes backup after a reset. But note that device resets do temporarily erase data until you restore the backup.
- Can I prevent this from happening again in the future?
Let software updates fully install, use reliable power sources during updates, and avoid unauthorized modifications like jailbreaking to minimize chances of data corruption.
- What should I do if my Apple Watch has a flashing logo?
First, force restart your watch by holding the Digital Crown + Side button. If that fails, factory reset by unpairing and then erasing all content and settings from the Watch app.
- When should I give up on DIY fixes and seek professional repair help?
If restarting, recovery mode, and factory reset methods all fail to stop the repetitive flashing, underlying hardware damage is likely at play. Seek pro help.
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In Summary…
Seeing a never-ending Apple logo flashing on and off on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch can certainly raise your panic levels.
But in most cases, it signals a software issue that you can troubleshoot yourself without data loss or a trip to the Apple Store.
Force restart your device, try recovery mode if applicable, or factory reset as a last resort. This should have you back up and running in no time.
Seek professional repair help if these DIY software fixes fail to stop the cycle of flashing logos.
