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You are here: Home / Troubleshooting / iPad Stuck On Preparing Software Update? Fix

iPad Stuck On Preparing Software Update? Fix

Last Updated On August 3, 2022 by iPhoneGeeks Staff

Generally, upgrading your iPad goes smoothly, however you can encounter issues. You may also have your iPad set to update automatically when you wake up in the morning – all you have to do is wake up and your device will notify you that it has been updated. But what happens if your update doesn’t go as planned? We’ll go through some troubleshooting tips for coping with update issues in this post. We’ll focus on the situation where your iPad is stuck on “Preparing to Update.”

To upgrade your iPad, you must first download the required update files to your device. The update can be installed after those files have been downloaded to your iPad. There are a number of items that can go wrong during the update process, causing it to slow or crash.

What You’ll Require to Upgrade
To upgrade your iPad to the new iPadOS, make sure the following items are in working order:

  • Make sure your Wi-Fi is switched on and running, and that your iPad is wired to it.
  • It’s a smart idea to plug your iPad into a power source to make sure it’s charged enough to finish the update.
  • The most recent update is compatible with your iPad. If you want to upgrade to iPadOS 14.x, you’ll need the following:
    • iPad Pro
    • iPad mini 4 or iPad mini (5th generation)
    • iPad Air 2 or iPad Air (3rd generation) or later

Steps for updating

  1. Make a backup of your important files to ensure their protection. Using iTunes or Finder, you can back up to iCloud or your computer.
  2. Head over to Settings > General > Software Update.
  3. Select Download and Install. Tap Install. If prompted, enter your passcode.

Troubleshooting iPad Stuck On Preparing Software Update:

If you’re having problem updating your iPad, try the following.

Please keep your horses.

It could take up to an hour for your update to complete. Connect your iPad to a power source and wait a while to ensure it is truly stuck.

Remove the Update File from your iPad

If something goes wrong with the update, you can retry it by deleting the update file first. If you can’t find your update file in the list and can’t restart the update, use your computer to update.

  1. On your iPad, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage.
  2. Among the apps in the list, look for the update file. It should be identified alongside the settings icon, with a name like iPadOS 14.x. In the list, tap on the change.
  3. Select Delete Update from the drop-down menu.
  4. Restart the updating process.

Using your computer to update

If you’re having problem updating your iPad, you can use Finder or iTunes to finish the job.

  1. Use the right connector cable to link your iPad to your computer. To unlock your iPad, enter your passcode if necessary.
  2. Click your iPad in the side menu of Finder (for Macs running Catalina or later) or iTunes (for Macs running Mohave or earlier and PCs). If this is your first time connecting your iPad to your computer, you may need to click Trust on your computer before clicking Trust on your iPad. To set up Sync between your iPad and computer, you may need to follow the onscreen instructions.
  3. Select check for update from the drop-down menu. To update your iPad, follow the onscreen instructions.

iPad stuck on preparing update? Contact Apple

If you’re still having trouble updating your iPad after trying these fixes, you can contact Apple support or schedule an appointment at a Genius Bar for additional assistance.

About iPhoneGeeks Staff

iPhoneGeeks Staff is a team of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Mac experts led by Moses Johnson. We're passionate about all things Apple!

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