Tom Victor
7 minutes of reading
|As
The world generally knows the iPhone for its smooth, stable, bug-free user experience. However, even the best products sometimes have their setbacks, and unfortunately, the mobile giant is no exception. iPhones occasionally have problems that frustrate users. For example, iPhone apps can get stuck waiting after installation.
In this article, I will provide a simple step-by-step guide on how to fix if your iPhone app is stuck on waiting.
This problem usually occurs when you download an app from the App Store, but the app freezes during download. It neither completes the download nor cancels. If that sounds like what you're dealing with, read on.
I will teach you how to deal with problems like iPhone apps stuck on "waiting" after restore, transfer or download. First, let's consider why iPhone apps are stuck on "hold".
Why are my apps stuck in waiting mode?
This should be the first question to be answered before trying to apply any solutions. It is true that several factors may be responsible for this. Let's consider some of the more prominent reasons:
- There is not enough storage space on your phone: If your iPhone's storage is already full, there won't be room to download additional apps and as a result, the apps you're trying to download will likely get stuck waiting. To fix this, remove some apps from your phone to make room for new ones.
- Internet connection problems: Apps will not download to your iPhone if your network connection is poor or if you have no connection at all. To fix this, turn on the data connection. You may also need to switch to aarea with good internet connection.
- Apple server problems: Sometimes problems with Apple's servers can cause apps to get stuck waiting. In such cases, you must wait for Apple to resolve the server issue.
- Problem setting up iPhone: Incorrect settings on your iPhone can also contribute to apps getting stuck on hold. Make sure your device settings are configured correctly.
- iPhone crashes: Various unknown errors can make your iPhone apps stuck on waiting after uploading or downloading. In such cases, restarting the iPhone or performing asoftware updatecan help solve the problem.
- system conflict: The app you're trying to download may have a conflict with the system of the new iPhone it's ported to. Check for known compatibility issues or try reinstalling the app.
Fix 'My iPhone app is stuck waiting' problem during download
Try the methods below to fix your iPhone apps stuck waiting after download.
- Check your network connection: Your iPhone needs a stable internet connection to download and install apps. Your iPhone apps may get stuck "waiting" while downloading if the connection is unstable or unavailable. Whether you're using mobile data or Wi-Fi, make sure you have internet access before trying to download the app. To check your network connection, follow these steps:
- Fold itairplane mode activatedgturned offto refresh the network connection. If you are connected via Wi-Fi, try restarting your router. Fix network errors by going toSettings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhoneand touch"Reset network settings."Note that this will also delete any saved Wi-Fi passcodes. After you do that, check if the standby apps are working.
- Restart the app download – although this is not guaranteed to work, it's worth trying to pause and resume the app download. This will force the device to download the app again. To do this, tapdownload iconwhile the app is downloading to your device. This will pause the download. Tap the same icon again to resume the download.
- Prioritize downloading a waiting app: Your iPhone app might be stuck waiting because it can't download an update right now. You should prioritize the pending app download to force the device to download the selected app first before other apps. To prioritize downloading pending apps:
- Touch and holdapplication iconon the home screen.
- Click on "Prioritize downloading”.
My iPhone app is stuck on hold after transfer
Try the methods below to fix iPhone apps stuck on hold after transfer problem.
- Check your iPhone storage: Sometimes freeing up storage space on your iPhone can solve the "iPhone app stuck waiting after download" problem. Your phone may not allow you to download new apps if its storage space is full. To free up storage space, follow these steps:
- Tap onsettingson your home page. Select under settingsIn general. TouchiPhone storageto check available space on your device. If there isn't enough space to download a new app, consider deleting apps or other files to free up space. You can also delete apps directly from the home screen by long-pressing the app icon and then selecting the delete button.
- Change iPhone language: I know it may sound strange, but some iPhone users have solved the "iPhone app stuck waiting after installation" problem by simply changing the language on their iPhone. You should try this too. To change the language on your iPhone:
- Tap onsettingsicon on your iPhone's home page.
- chooseIn general.
- Touchlanguage and region.
- then tapiPhone language.
- Choose any other language you know, wait a few minutes and switch back to the previous language.
- Sign out and sign in to the app store: Note that your iPhone will only download apps if you are successfully signed in to the App Store. If you're not signed in properly, you may be experiencing issues with apps not downloading to your iPhone after restoring from a backup. So, confirm that you are signed in to the App Store or try to sign out and sign in again.
Fix my iPhone app stuck on waiting after installing the app
Try the below methods to solve "iPhone apps stuck waiting" problem after installation.
- kill the app: Ideally, iOS apps should work as designed. However, if you encounter a problem with the app, close the app and launch it again. To exit the app on iPhone:
- AccessiOS Task Switcheromultitasking pogledby double pressing onStart button.
- You will see a list of your currently running applications. Swipe up on the preview of the app you want to remove from the list and stop the process.
- Check the status of the Apple system: Apple's servers can experience downtime, which can cause problems with iOS apps. To find out if this is the case, take a lookApple system status page. You can see the status of every Apple service on the website. Services that are working properly will have a green dot next to them. If the service you're having problems with has a gray dot next to it, it means there's no problem with your phone, just wait until the affected server is backed up.
- Reset iPhone settings: If you've been using your iPhone for a long time without rebooting, the issue of iPhone apps stuck "waiting" after downloading could be caused by various settings you've inadvertently changed over the years.
Time needed:1 minute.
To fix this, you need to reset all your settings. That's how:
- Ve a lasettingsapplication
(Video) iPhone Apps Stuck Waiting Or Not Downloading - The Troubleshooting Tips For Stuck App Update - TouchIn general.
- Scroll down and selectRestart.
- ChooseReset all settings.
Other general fixes for 'My iPhone app is stuck on hold'
- Restart iPhone: Rebooting or restarting your phone can be a simple but effective step to fix the problem, especially if the problem is caused by a minor glitch. Restarting your device can also help resolve other minor issues. To reset your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Hold down the power button for about 5 seconds until you see the Apple logo.
- After turning it off completely, press and hold the power button again to turn it back on. After the reboot, launch the app again.
- Update iOS: Check for important iPhone iOS updates. Apps may misbehave if the iOS version is not up to date. To update iOS:
- Tap onitem iconon your home screen.
- I willIn general.
- Scroll down to Software Update and look for prompts to install important updates.
- Update the app: To update the app, simply go to the app store and select "Updates". This will allow you to check if any of your apps have an available update. When you run the latest version of the app, you ensure the best user experience and minimize issues.
- A factory reset will erase all data and settings on your iPhone. Perform a hard reset only if you have tried other methods without success and are familiar with the process. Before proceeding, make sure you have a backup of your iPhone data. To restore factory settings:
- Open itsettingsicon on the home screen.
- I willIn general>Restart.
- Choose "Delete all content and settings”.
Why are my apps stuck after transferring to a new iPhone?
In our modern age, transferring data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone during the setup process is usually a simple task. However, it may occasionally happen that some applications remain on "standby" after the transfer is complete.
There are several possible reasons for this problem. Some common factors include poor network connection, iPhone crash, insufficient storage space and system crash.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the app icon say "waiting"?
When you update iPhone apps from the iOS Store, they are placed in the update queue and their status changes to "pending". Usually this process runs smoothly. However, there are cases where the iPhone app gets stuck in standby mode. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as connectivity issues, lack of storage space, app errors, Apple server status, or iOS updates.
How to unfreeze a stuck iPhone app?
The steps to unfreeze a stuck iPhone app are: Check your internet connection to make sure it's connected and stable, Restart iPhone, Prioritize downloading waiting apps, Pause iPhone app update or installation, Check device storage space and release activation if it's full , sign out and sign in with your Apple ID, delete and reinstall the stuck app, reset iPhone settings, and update your iPhone to the latest software version.
Why won't WhatsApp download to my iPhone?
This is probably because your iPhone does not have enough space to download and install WhatsApp. To check if you have enough storage space on your iPhone, go to the "Settings" icon on the home screen, tap "General" and select "iPhone Storage". If there isn't enough space to download a new app, consider deleting apps, photos, songs, or other files to free up space.
Conclusion
I know when apps on your iPhone get stuck on "hold" it can be a really frustrating experience. I'm glad you were able to resolve the issue by following the methods provided in this article.
FAQs
How do you unfreeze an iPhone app that is stuck? ›
- Close and reopen the app. Force the app to close. ...
- Restart your device. Restart your iPhone or restart your iPad. ...
- Check for updates. ...
- Delete the app, then redownload it.
Each app on your iPhone is associated with a unique Apple ID. Therefore, apps may become stuck if there is an issue with that Apple ID. Signing out and back into the App Store usually solves the problem.
Why is my iPhone not installing apps? ›There can be many reasons, such as ? poor Internet connection, low storage space on your iOS device, a bug in the App Store, faulty iPhone settings, or even a restriction setting on your iPhone that prevent the apps from downloading.
Why are apps not downloading after transfer? ›Apps not downloading on iPhone after transfer issue will occur when there is not enough space. You can go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check how much room is available on your iPhone.
How do I force quit a stuck app? ›- Launch Task Manager by right-clicking the Taskbar and selecting Task Manager.
- Browse the list of running apps and locate the app that isn't responding.
- Right-click the unresponsive app > choose End Task. This will force shut the application.
Reset iPhone in Recovery Mode
There is a final way you can try if force restarting is either not working. That is put your iPhone into recovery mode and reset it with iTunes. This is a final method you can try since iPhone data will be erased after reset.
According to Apple, force quitting an app will not improve your battery life, and it's possible that doing so can actually drain battery because it causes the iPhone to load it all over again.
Why is my phone not installing apps? ›Google Play Store Errors typically contain random numbers and are generated when you try to download apps from the Google Play Store. These errors might be due to Google Play Store updates, Google cache issues, Google Play Store stored data issues, or Google account issues.
Why won't my apps install? ›Confirm that you have a working WiFi or mobile data connection. Confirm that no other apps are updating or installed in the Play Store. Clear the cache & data of the Play Store. Restart your phone.
Why are my apps not installing on iPhone just waiting? ›From the Home Screen, touch and hold the app> You will see three options: Prioritize Download, Pause/Resume Download or Cancel Download. If your app download is stuck on Pause, tap Resume Download. If it's stuck, tap Pause Download, go back to the home screen and firmly press on the app again and tap Resume Download.
Why are apps stuck on waiting for download? ›
A common cause for Google Play Store download pending issue is running out of space on Android device. So you should go to check how much free space is left. Open Settings. Select Storage.
Why are my apps stuck on loading on my new iPhone 13? ›Many times if your new iPhone apps get stuck on loading, it could be due to an issue with Apple ID. All the apps on your phone are linked to your Apple ID. If your Apple ID is experiencing issues, it may ripple out to affect other apps on your phone. A solution for this is to sign out of the App Store.
Why is my app store just loading and not downloading? ›Sometimes App Store not loading or getting blank happens when the Apple's servers are experiencing a downtime. There could be an ongoing server maintenance which disrupts the working of App Store. You may visit Apple System Status to check for Apple System Updates.
Is it good to force restart your iPhone? ›It terminates all running apps without allowing them to “clean up” any process in progress, so it can cause data loss in apps that are running (just like it can on a computer). But it won't cause any damage to hardware or iOS. The better way to restart (unless the phone is frozen) is to shut down, then start.
What drains iPhone battery? ›The two things that cause the most battery drain in your iPhone are its screen and cellular service. Obviously, you know when you're actively using your phone, but your iPhone is often performing tasks in the background and even lighting up your screen without you noticing.
Is force closing apps bad Apple? ›It's not harmful other than the phone will actually use a little more battery power because once you have force close an app, it has to relaunch all over again when you use it again, whereas if you don't close an app and leave it a suspended state, it doesn't use as much power to wake it up from the suspended state.
Does killing apps save battery life? ›Right?! Wrong. In the last week or so, both Apple and Google have confirmed that closing your apps does absolutely nothing to improve your battery life. In fact, says Hiroshi Lockheimer, the VP of Engineering for Android, it might make things worse.
How do I force an app to open on my iPhone? ›- To quit the app, open the App Switcher, swipe right to find the app, then swipe up on the app.
- To reopen the app, go to the Home Screen (or App Library), then tap the app.
Open Settings, and then swipe to and tap Apps. Select or search for the app you want to clear. Tap Storage, and then tap Clear cache. Note: The only way to clear the cache on every app at the same time would be to perform a factory reset on your phone.
What causes apps to stop responding? ›If your Android apps keep crashing or freezing it's usually because you're low on space or running too many apps at once. Other reasons for crashing apps include a spotty Wi-Fi connection or an old version of the app that hasn't been updated.
Is there a reboot button for iPhone? ›
Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
What does iPhone force restart do? ›It basically fully powers off your phone and restarts it, so all your apps, contacts and other important information remains intact. Here are the steps you take to force a restart on your device.
How do I reinstall an app that is unable to install? ›- On your Android phone or tablet, open Google Play Store .
- On the right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps & device. Manage.
- Select the apps you want to install or turn on. If you can't find the app, at the top, tap Installed. Not installed.
- Tap Install or Enable.
Storage space getting full, or becoming insufficient for the app Store to operate and download apps is the number one reason why iPhone won't download apps any longer. Here's how to check your iPhone's storage usage and find out which apps are using the most.
How do I force an app to install? ›- On your Android phone or tablet, open Google Play Store .
- On the right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps & device. Manage.
- Select the apps you want to install or turn on. If you can't find the app, at the top, tap Installed. Not installed.
- Tap Install or Enable.
As your app builds up cache it causes memory consumption, which can affect functionality tremendously, to the point where some apps stop working altogether. If your app is getting slow, consider clearing your cache memory.
Why is my app just saying waiting? ›At times, they don't update as expected, and that's why you get the errors like download pending or waiting for download. To fix it, you need to uninstall Play Store and Services updates. Open the Settings app on your Android and head to Apps & notifications or the section that shows all apps.
Why is my download stuck on loading? ›If your internet connection is unstable, slow or off while downloading files in Chrome, the Chrome downloading process may be stopped or stuck. If you have a limited bandwidth, the Google Chrome downloads may be also interrupted or stuck in the middle.
What happens when you unfreeze an app? ›When you freeze an app on Android, it's temporarily suspended from your device but not removed entirely. This allows you to restore the app to its original state quickly should you ever need to later. Uninstalling is the process of completely removing an app; it can't be recovered under normal circumstances.
How do you fix an iPhone that won't let you open apps? ›Please press the 'Start' button. Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button at the same time for 8-10 seconds. Continue to press and hold the Volume Down button while releasing the Side button. Until the software automatically goes to the next screen, then release the Volume Down button.
Why do my apps fail to open on iPhone? ›
Delete the app, then redownload it
Delete the app. When you do this, you might lose data that was stored in the app. Then redownload the app. Then check to see if the problem with the app is fixed.
Improper App installation can cause Android Apps to crash. You must download the App from the Google Play Store and only use it once it is successfully and completely installed on your device. If your Apps stops abruptly, delete, or uninstall the App from your device and reinstall it after a few minutes. Step 1.
What does freezing app means? ›A freeze is when a software program stops functioning and cannot perform any functions. Usually there are no error messages that display, but the program remains visible.
What happens when an app is not responding? ›ANR (App Not Responding) is a state in which the app is frozen and does not respond to any user gestures or draw. Unlike unresponsive gestures which are attributed to a design decision (e.g. an image that mistakenly looks like a tappable button), ANRs usually occur due to long running code that freezes the “UI thread”.