iPhone users often run across a message, saying "iTunes is downloading the software for this iPhone and will restore your iPhone when the download is complete", or "Your mac is downloading a software update for this iPhone and volition install it when the download is complete" while they try to update or restore iPhone using iTunes or Finder. Nonetheless, they cannot move forward since iTunes seems to download firmware files or software files forever.

iTunes downloading software gets stuck

your mac is downloading the software for this iphone 2

There are unlike reasons that might crusade such a problem. Information technology could exist that your device is unable to connect to the Apple server, your internet connection is not stable, or the third-party security software is preventing the connection with the Apple tree server, or at that place might be some hardware problems with your iPhone.

How tin can you resolve the problem? In this article, nosotros are going to explain diverse solutions that y'all can try to fix this issue.
Yous can also check the guide beneath and spring to the part that suits you.

  • If your iPhone is frozen and y'all don't want to lose information, the method in part 2 is best for you. And the last iv methods in office iii work in some cases likewise.
  • If your iPhone works normally, all the methods in this commodity are correct for you. And the method in function 2 can well take the place of iTunes to update iOS for y'all without any possible issues.
  • Role ane. FAQ about iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone
  • Part 2. Best Method to Gear up iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone
  • Part 3. half dozen Full general Ways to Fix iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone
  • Boosted Tips for Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

1. FAQ about iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

Hither we collect some questions oft asked by Apple users who suffer this issue.

Q1. How Long Does iTunes Take to Download the Software?

30 minutes to an hour. Actually, there is no particular time limit on how long information technology volition take for iTunes to download the firmware. It varies from people to people, depending on how presently your iDevice connects with the Apple server to download the software. Take the iOS xiv update as an example, roughly 'iOS Download and Update' takes well-nigh 30 minutes. If everything goes fine and then your device might run smoothly in no more than than one hour.

Chore Required Time (Minutes)
iOS 15 Download 15-30
iOS fifteen Installation xv-30
Ready iOS 15 i - 5
Full iOS xv Update thirty - 60 +

If you discover iTunes is stuck on "iTunes Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone" for hours, you may quit iTunes and restart to endeavor again.

Q2. What Does Information technology Mean When It Says iTunes/Mac Is Currently Downloading Software for the iPhone?

Generally speaking, when yous see "iTunes/Mac is currently downloading the software for this iPhone", it means the iTunes/Finder is trying to establish a connection with Apple tree server. Also, it tin exist regarded every bit a sign of unstable network connection or system breakdown.

2. Best Method to Gear up iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

If your iPhone is now stuck on recovery mode or cannot piece of work unremarkably for another issues (such equally white screen, keeping restart, freezing problem, failing to be activated, etc), and you are trying to restore iPhone, y'all tin can try a tertiary-party tool to prepare it.

Try a Tertiary-Political party Tool to Set the Problem without Data Loss

Here we would similar to innovate a powerful tool iMyFone Fixppo (iOS xv/14 supported) to fix the problem without information loss. Information technology is out of the question the all-time iTunes alternative in the marketplace. It applies exclusive technologies so that it can fix the problems that even iTunes cannot fix. Too, information technology can update the iDevice directly and avoid many problems that may happen when updating via iTunes. It likewise uses firmware, but it works in a different way from iTunes. Therefore, when your iTunes is stuck at downloading a software update for iPhone/iPad/iPod affect and cannot go on, the best pick is iMyFone Fixppo.

Moreover, the primary feature of this tool repairs a broad range of iOS bug without data loss such equally iPhone stuck at blackness/white screen/recovery mode/Apple logo or iPhone could not be activated. The other feature offered is inbound or exiting Recovery Mode without data loss. If your iPhone is stuck in recovery, you can try this feature with the gratis trial version.

Windows version Mac version

Follow the steps provided below to utilise iMyFone Fixppo to set up the iOS problems with your iPhone without information loss.

Footstep 1: Install and launch the latest version of this software on your PC. Choose 'Standard Mode' from the programme's main screen. Then connect your iOS device to it and click Next.

interface of iMyFone Fixppo

Stride 2: Now, if the plan can recognize your device, you can go to the next pace. If non, put your iPhone in DFU/recovery mode past going forth the on-screen instructions.

enter DFU mode under Standard mode

And then the program will recognize your iPhone and offering all the available firmware. You just need to choose the version yous like and click "Download" to get the firmware that matches your iPhone.

download firmware

Stride 3: The fixing process will starting time as soon as yous click the 'Start' push button. Once it's over, your device will be fixed and you won't suffer from the result "iTunes is downloading the software for this iPhone".

finished fixing your device

You can besides watch this video for more detailed solutions for this effect.

Fix the Issue

Windows version Mac version

3. half-dozen General ways to Fix iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

If your iPhone works normally before iTunes is stuck on downloading the software for this iPhone, y'all can try to do something for both your iTunes and iPhone to avoid the trouble.

Here in this section, we've brought to you quite effective solutions that you can perform to prepare the iTunes stuck issue.

  • Tip 1. Uninstall Third-Political party Security Apps
  • Tip ii. Reset All Settings
  • Tip 3. Difficult Reset iPhone
  • Tip four. Update iTunes
  • Tip 5. Restore from Backup
  • Tip 6. Restore iPhone with Recovery Mode

3.1 Uninstall Third-Political party Security Apps

Sometimes, the third-party security apps will take the connection as illegal, thus preclude iTunes from connecting with Apple server. At this fourth dimension, uninstalling those apps can assist solve the trouble. And you can download them over again after fixing the consequence to protect your iPhone to the virtually extent.

3.2 Reset All Settings

To reset all settings on your iPhone, you don't take to exist a tech-geek. Knowing some simple steps will ease your brunt and help you deal with the problem that iTunes is stuck on downloading the software for this iPhone. Hither are the steps –

  1. From your iPhone home screen, get to 'Settings' and and so click 'Full general'.
  2. Scroll downwardly to the cease of the screen and and then press the 'Reset' tab found there.
  3. Under the 'Reset' selection click on 'Reset All Settings' and you are expert to go. If prompted for a passcode and then provide the same.

reset all settings

3.3 Hard Reset iPhone

Try performing a hard reset on your iPhone as a bang-up method to fix the result as it has been proved effective for fixing iOS glitches. Follow the steps provided advisedly:

  • iPhone 6 or Older Devices

Agree down the 'Sleep/Wake' button simultaneously with the 'Dwelling house' push button till y'all encounter the phone screen turn blackness. Every bit before long as the Apple tree logo starts appearing, permit become of the buttons.

  • iPhone seven/vii Plus

Press and agree the 'Sleep/Wake' and 'Book Downwardly' push button together until the Apple logo appears. Get out them once later that.

  • iPhone 8/eight Plus/iPhone Ten or Later

Get-go, speedily push the 'Volume Up' primal and release quickly, repeat the aforementioned with the 'Volume Down' key. Press the 'Sleep/Wake' button till the Apple logo appears on the screen.

3.4 Update iTunes

Sometimes, the trouble results from the old version of iTunes, and a simple update of it can fix it. To update iTunes on Windows version, yous can only click "Help" in the menu and then click "Cheque for Updates". Follow the instruction to install the latest version of your iTunes.

update iTunes

If you are using a Mac, you can simply go to the App Store and check if there is an update for iTunes. Click "UPDATE" if there is the choice.

update iTunes on Mac

3.five Restore from Backup

If you are however stuck on "iTunes is downloading the software for this iPhone", you should so effort to resolve it by restoring your device from a previous backup. Sometimes, restoring with quondam backup fixes any boosted glitches happened with an iOS device, even yous use the latest iOS xv beta iii/2/i. So, here are the steps to do it –

  1. Ensure to install the latest version of iTunes on your computer and launch it. Connect your iPhone using a lightning cable and make sure to tap on 'Trust' when 'Trust This Computer' bulletin appears on your screen. At present, click on your iPhone from the iTunes' main screen.
  2. Go to the 'Summary' tab and nether the 'Backups' department click on 'Restore Backup' button. Select the most recent or whatever desired backup file from the listing in the pop-up window and tap 'Restore'.

Note: Please practise not disconnect the iDevice until the procedure completes.

restore iTunes from backup

3.6 Restore iPhone with Recovery Mode

If all the methods above fail to assistance you out, and yous didn't enter or get stuck on the recovery mode by now, then restoring iPhone with recovery mode serves as the final resort for you. Follow the steps below to put your device into recovery mode outset.
Recollect to keep the iPhone and PC continued during the whole process.

    • For iPhone viii or later models: Press and release the Volume Upward button, and so the Volume Down button. Finally hold the Side push until the recovery style screen shows. Don't release information technology when the apple tree logo appears.
    • For iPhone 7/seven Plus: Press and hold the Book Down button and Side button.
      Don't release them until the Recovery Mode screen shows.
    • For iPhone 6 or older models: Printing and concord Dwelling button and Side push.
      Keep belongings until the Recovery Mode screen shows.

After iTunes detects the iPhone, you can see two options availible. Choose restore and confirm your activity. So all you need to do is waiting patiently until the whole procedure completes.

restore iPhone with iTunes

four. Additional Tips for Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

For those people who see "Mac is currently downloading the software update for this iPhone", they may experience upset because well-nigh all the solutions showed on Google are written for the iTunes users. But don't worry this time, here this separate function is merely for you. And y'all should know that the methods offered in this article tin can be practical to the Finder users too. Only go back to cheque them!

additional tip