IOS 7, Fix Apps Stuck in "waiting" State

I just upgraded to iOS 7 dev version. Being beta software, it's to be expected that there is one or the other glitch.

After upgrading I had several apps stuck in a perpetual "waiting" state. The apps could not be launched or removed. Rebooting the phone or re-synching with iTunes did not help.

This is how you can fix the issue...

Step 1: Remove App on Device Using ITunes

• Connect the phone to your PC/Mac and start iTunes
• Click on the phone in the Devices list
• Click on the "Apps" tab on top
• Locate the app that are stuck
• Click "Remove" button
• Click "Apply" in lower left corner to remove the apps from the phone

Step 2: Remove "ghost" App on Phone

This will leave the apps in a "ghost" state on the phone. They have a weird default icon and can't be launched. Delete all "ghost" apps as you would delete any regular app:

• Press an hold the icon until all icons start to shake
• Press the "X"
• Confirm deletion

Step 3: Reinstall the Apps Using ITunes

Now back to iTunes

• In the Library / Apps menu, find all the apps that you need to reinstall
• Select all the apps, use shift (at least on the PC) to select them all. Important to do them all in one step
• Drag and drop the apps to your phone in the left menu
• iTunes will now apply the changes automatically

Now all apps should be reinstalled and working. Hope this helps!

Comments

[PremalathaS1]

yes.thank you . I fixed it as you told. Thank you

[JayS177]

Just Fixed Mine :) HoooooLalaaa But I didint use this yoru TRICK .... FOLLOW ME.

1. DOWNLOAD WHATEVER APP on your PC or MAC. Itunes Store.

2. Connect Your Iphone , Navigate to APPS on Itunes software. You will see "Update" , " Delete" or whatever There. If It says Update. Just do it from your Itunes Screen whiles you have your Iphone Connected.

3. Sync It after you update or delete ... Bla bla bla and it will do its majic on the Iphone.

4. App may Disappear from Iphone now and then Go back to Itunes and click REMOVE, there again. After that Just CLICK Install and APP will be freshly installed on your IPHONE.... Sooo Easy...

You can Hit me Message me ill assist You.

Email : [e-mail]

[binklee]

This did not work for me, but here is what did in case you want to try this one?

Settings > iTunes& App Store, Logout
Settings.AIrplane Mode ON
Reboot the device by pressing Power + Home till it turns off
Turn it back on

The apps will start installing and then you can get back in the store. Hope this helps

[mrich1911]

This worked with my iphone 6... thanks a million!

[JhedrixA]

i have the same problem with my iphone 6+ how were you able to fix it? please help. I tried the above instruction but its not clear how to do.

[eyalz]

I had a testflight app icon stuck for months now and your tip did the trick!

Thanks for that!

[le2]

I just wanted to thank you for your suggestion. I tried literally every other method of deleting it short of resetting all settings or restoring an old backup, and this was the only thing that worked :)

[rmosher]

Here's what worked for me.

In ios7, if you have Automatic Updates enabled, go to Settings > iTunes & App Store.  In the AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS section, disable Updates.

Switch to the App Store app and go to the Updates section (icon in the lower right corner).

Find the offending app and touch to stop the update.  Touch the [Update] icon to restart the update.  

Once the update completes you can switch back to Settings and re-enable Automatic Updates.

[oesti]

Looks like this issue is gone in version 2 of iOS7 beta! New issue for me: Camera app keeps on crashing ;)

[rramey]

YouTube is stuck in the "waiting to update" state. I've tried using your method with no success. Any ideas?

[oesti]

I had to do it 2-3 times to get all the apps out of the waiting state. The frustrating part was that I fixed one app and then another one went back into the waiting state. What seemed to work best was to install all the broken apps at once in the last step. So I assumed that was the trick that ultimately made it work, but I just might have gotten lucky after my 3 attempts. I would say try again... Once you have been doing it once the cycle is quite quick (at least with my setup).

[rbreban]

Thank you for this, i was planning on restore. Have you also notice an unusual drain in battery life?

[oesti]

Does not seem different to iOS6 in my case.

[aweith]

Small question how did you get the iOS 7 beta platform?