Do this if your iPhone 16 series device gets stuck on "cellular setup complete" screen

Picture this: you’ve just unboxed your brand-new iPhone 16. You’re pumped, the phone looks stunning, and you’re ready to dive into all its slick new features. But then, it happens. You get stuck on the “Cellular Setup Complete” screen with that dreaded spinning wheel mocking you, as if to say, “Not today, friend.” Don’t panic! You’re not alone, and we’ve got the ultimate cheat sheet to get you past this setup nightmare without tossing your phone out the window.

1. Restart the phone

One of the most effective solutions, as echoed by multiple users, is the good old restart. If you’re stuck at the “Cellular Setup Complete” screen, turn off your iPhone 16 by pressing and holding the power and volume up buttons until you see the power-off slider. Slide it, wait a moment, then turn your phone back on. This trick often nudges the setup past the dreaded screen and gets things moving again. If it doesn’t work the first time, don’t lose hope — try it again.

2. Prioritize iCloud backup over direct transfers

Let’s talk backups. While it’s tempting to set up your new iPhone by directly transferring data from your old one, this approach seems to be at the heart of many setup stalls. Instead, go the iCloud route. Make sure your old iPhone is backed up to iCloud (go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup), and then, during setup, choose to restore from iCloud rather than transferring directly. Not only does this minimize the chance of hitting a roadblock, but it also gets your new iPhone up and running in minutes, with apps and data quietly downloading in the background.

3. Update your old iPhone’s iOS

Sometimes, it’s not the new iPhone causing the holdup — it’s the old one. If you’re stuck on the “Finish on New iPhone” screen, it’s often because the older device hasn’t caught up. Stop the process on your old iPhone, update it to the latest iOS version by going to Settings > General > Software Update, and then restart the setup. This simple step can fix compatibility issues that might be messing with your upgrade vibes.

4. Use a wired connection if possible

Yes, the future is wireless, but when it comes to transferring data during setup, nothing beats a good old-fashioned cable. A USB-C to Lightning or Thunderbolt cable can significantly speed up the transfer process, cutting hours down to minutes. Dig through your old iPhone’s box, grab that cable, and let it work its magic. Faster transfers mean less time staring at that annoying spinning wheel.

5. Skip cellular setup until after activation

If you’ve made it to the “Cellular Setup Complete” screen, your iPhone is likely still sorting out the transfer of your phone number. A quick workaround is to skip the cellular setup during the initial setup process and handle it after your iPhone is up and running. You can add your cellular plan later by navigating to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. This will save you time and a lot of frustration.

6. Don’t overcomplicate the device pairing process

Pairing your old and new devices can feel like a tech-savvy magic trick — until it doesn’t. If your old iPhone isn’t recognizing the new one when it shows that swirly dot pattern, try the manual route. Tap the manual option on the setup screen, and you’ll be prompted to enter a code that pops up on your new device. This simple bypass can keep you from getting stuck in a loop of failed pairings.

7. Follow the power cycle trick

Some users swear by a power cycling method: turn off both the old and new iPhones, but restart the old one first, then the new one. This order seems to help the devices sync up correctly, pushing the setup past any stalls. It’s a little dance that can save you a lot of setup agony.

8. Keep the phones charged up and awake

Make sure both your old and new iPhones have enough battery life to get through the setup process without shutting down. Charge them up beforehand, and keep them awake — sometimes, letting them go to sleep during critical steps can cause things to hang. Stay vigilant and keep an eye on their progress.

9. Troubleshoot before going nuclear

If all else fails and you’re still stuck, don’t be afraid to reset the new iPhone and start fresh. Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. After the reset, try setting up again, but this time, skip the cellular setup step to avoid the previous hiccups. It might seem like a big step, but it’s often the quickest way out of the setup maze.

Setting up your iPhone 16 doesn’t have to be an epic struggle. With these user-tested tips, you can dodge the most common pitfalls and get your new device up and running without breaking a sweat. Remember, a little patience goes a long way, but if you’re prepared with these strategies, you can skip the stress and start enjoying your new iPhone’s features in no time.