Hey, totally get how annoying that loop can be! Here are a few different things you might wanna try out:
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Recovery Mode: Try putting your iPhone into recovery mode. Power off your device, then connect it to your computer while holding down the Home button (or the volume down button for newer models). Continue holding until the recovery mode screen appears. Open iTunes or Finder, and you should see a prompt to restore or update. Choose “Update” first to avoid erasing your data.
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DFU Mode: If recovery mode doesn’t work, you might wanna go the extra step with DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. This is a bit more technical, but it’s a deeper restore that sometimes works wonders. You’ll need to follow a specific button sequence depending on your iPhone model to enter DFU mode. Look up a guide, follow it closely, and connect to iTunes/Finder for restore.
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Apple Support: Sometimes the issue is beyond what we can fix at home. Heading to an Apple Store or contacting Apple Support can sometimes be the best route. They might even have some backend methods to help you out without losing your data.
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Data Recovery Software: If you’re thinking about using third-party recovery software, I’ve had mixed results with those. Disk Drill, for instance, is a decent tool to try, and you can find out more about it at Disk Drill. It can be a lifesaver if you’re trying to salvage data, although it’s not free. Proceed with caution and make sure you’re downloading from the official site to avoid malware.
For future reference, I’d strongly second @techchizkid’s suggestion on backing up before updates. Using tools like iCloud or an external hard drive can spare you from these headaches down the line. You might be in the same boat again, but at least next time, you’ll have a lifeboat ready!
Good luck fixing that loop. I feel your pain!