Apple Intelligence stuck "downloading".

[m.g.mcc]

I have three iPhones capable of using Apple Intelligence - 15 Pro, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max. Of these, only the 16 Pro has downloaded AI. The other two have been stuck on "downloading" for weeks. Apple Online Support couldn't resolve the issue, changing location and language hasn't helped, toggling WiFi on/off and shutting down haven't helped. Any ideas?

 

[IWT]

On those iPhones that are having problems, have you tried "Settings", select "Apple Intelligence & Siri", then select "Turn on Apple Intelligence".

Can you confirm this please.

Ian

PS The above was taken from: How to get Apple Intelligence – Apple Support (UK)

 

[m.g.mcc]

Thanks for the reply.

Because the phones are stuck in "downloading", the option to toggle Apple Intelligence On/Off is not available.

 

[IWT]

Okay, I've got that, thanks. Are Apple, saying that you have no way of stopping the Download? It sort of looks that way given that apparently tried shutting down for example.

But did you do a "complete/full" shutdown? For example, see this video on the Link below which shows you how to do this. The crucial bit is that you WAIT till the screen goes black.

how to do complete shutdown of iPhone

Once you've done that, leave it for, say, 30 minutes. Don't just restart after a minute or two.

I learnt this when I had a problem with an Apple's-own App. If I restarted after a couple of minutes - no change. But after 30 minutes and a restart, all was solved.

Apologies if you have done the 30 minute full shutdown.

Ian

 

[m.g.mcc]

I had already done a shutdown and left it off overnight, but no change.

 

[pm-r]

and shutting down haven't helped. Any ideas?

Have you checked that these apparent settings have been set correctly, this from Google Chrome AI

AI Overview

If you're experiencing download issues with Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, the most likely culprits are: not having enough storage space, incorrect language settings (needs to be set to English (US)), a poor internet connection, or simply needing to restart your phone; you can also try changing your region settings to the US temporarily, then switching back, to potentially trigger the download process.

It seems a bit odd to me that Apple would have left off such details if this is actually required. Anyway, worth a try maybe.

Google Search

- Patrick
=======

 

[ferrarr]

Have you tried connecting with cable to your PC (macOS or winOS) to see if that can update the phone?

 

[IWT]

Very good point, Bob.

Ian

 

[m.g.mcc]

Have you checked that these apparent settings have been set correctly, this from Google Chrome AI



It seems a bit odd to me that Apple would have left off such details if this is actually required. Anyway, worth a try maybe.






- Patrick
=======

Yes, tried all of those settings. Although I have a very good and fast WiFi, I also tried connecting the phone directly with an Ethernet to USB-C adapter.

 

[m.g.mcc]

Have you tried connecting with cable to your PC (macOS or winOS) to see if that can update the phone?

I have connected the phone to my Mac and created a backup in the Mac, which someone else had suggested solved the issue for them, even without restoring that backup. Phone is fully up to date with iOS 18.3.1

 

[Rod]

I take it that the phones work normally despite the ongoing download?

 

[Rod]

I know you've tried this but putting the phones in "Flight" mode should sever the connection to the Apple servers. I would leave it for about 30 min then restart the phone/s and if the download has not begun restart it (assuming you want it) following the advice in Post #6.

 

[IWT]

Yes, Rod. The thing that I find the most strange is that nothing so far has stopped the download process. Your suggestion is top-notch; but then I thought turning off all input to the iPhone by a full shut-down would do the trick and turning off WiFi etc - same, no luck.

And, we learn, Apple themselves couldn't find a solution. Crazy!

Ian

 

[Rod]

Yes, I'm puzzled that Apple had no answers and it's not a one off, it's two phones. Sometimes Cellular data works differently to internet by WiFi so that's always worth a try. Turn off the modem/router and try just on cellular.

Alternatively this Apple Forum presents some interestingly varied solutions. What works for some does not work for others and vice versa.

Apple Intelligence download issue | Apple Developer Forums

forums.developer.apple.com

 

[Rod]

Yes, I'm puzzled that Apple had no answers and it's not a one off, it's two phones. Sometimes Cellular data works differently to internet by WiFi so that's always worth a try. Turn off the modem/router and try just on cellular.

 

[IWT]

Bob, in Post #7, and now Rod via his very useful link; suggest attaching your iPhone to your Mac by cable, then start a Backup to the Mac.

Some have found that when the Backup (BU) is complete, AI had been properly downloaded.

The BU process terminates any current download. And after the BU is complete the Download apparently restarts from scratch and completes it.

Try it at least

Ian

 

[m.g.mcc]

Sorted! As none of the usual suggestions, such as changing location and language, worked, I used the option to "Reset All Settings". That got Apple Intelligence working in both of the stuck phones.

Just a pain having to reconfigure so many settings.

 

[IWT]

Sorted! As none of the usual suggestions, such as changing location and language, worked, I used the option to "Reset All Settings". That got Apple Intelligence working in both of the stuck phones.

Just a pain having to reconfigure so many settings.

Good news and well done. Just for my interest, did you try attaching the iPhone to the Mac as in Posts #7,15,16?

If so, I presume it didn't work??

If NOT, why not? Might have saved you a great deal of time and patience

Ian

 

[m.g.mcc]

I had read somewhere that connecting to a Mac and creating a backup sorted the problem without actually having to restore the backup. I tried that but it made no difference. I was reluctant to restore due to banking apps on both the phone and connected Apple watches.

After resetting all settings, AI was instantly there so it was obviously fully downloaded and installed, just needed "downloading" to be unblocked.