Constant Spinning Wheel in the Status Bar on iPhone Issue, Fix

A spinning wheel in the status bar on your iPhone means that there is a network activity like downloading, sending/receiving data etc. This is a small spinner icon (see the image below) located on top of your screen. Several users have reported that they see this non-stop spinning wheel. It just keeps constantly spinning indicating that some network activity going on in the background. You probably want to resolve this because this may reduce battery life. This short article explains how you can resolve the spinning wheel problem.

See also: Black Screen With Spinning Wheel, Fix

Several users stated that they started to experience this program after an iOS update. Some users worried that this is a sign of spyware and that some unwanted and secret activity is stealing sensitive information. This is NOT spyware and you do not need to remove anything. This is likely a simple bug.

According to the Apple’s documentation, the spinning wheel in the status bar “shows over-the-air syncing or other network activity. Some third party apps may also use the icon to show an active process.” If this spinning wheel is appearing constantly, it may mean that something is wrong. Here is how you can stop this:

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1. Update your iPhone. Simply go to Settings > General > Software Update and if there is an update available, simply tap Download and Install. 
2. Force close everything running in the background. If your iPhone has a Home button, simple double press the Home button. If your device does not have a Home button, then swipe up from the bottom of your home screen. This action will display the recently used apps. Swipe up all of the apps.
3. Open Siri: Some users have stated that opening Siri will stop this. Simple launch Siri. If your iPhone has a Home button, press and hold. If your iPhone (iPhone X or later) does not have a Home button, then press and hold the side button. And ask something. Anything. Just use Siri.
4. If your phone’s Siri is disabled, enable it by going to Settings > Siri & Search and toggle on Siri.
5. Restart your device. You can shut down your device by going to Settings > General > Shut Down.
6. Disable Hey Siri if it is enabled. Simply go to Settings > Siri & Search and toggle off Hey Siri.
7. Disable Background App Fresh by going to Settings > General > Background App Fresh and turn this on.
8. Force restart your iPhone. Different iPhone models require different steps to do this. Here is how:
   1. If your iPhone has a Home button (iPhone 6s and earlier models) then press and hold the Home and Side buttons together for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo.
   2. iPhone 7 models: Press and hold the Side and volume down buttons for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo
   3. iPhone 8, iPhone X and later models: Press and release the volume up then volume down buttons then press and hold the side button for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo.
9. Reset Network Settings. Note that this action will delete all your network settings like your Wi-Fi passwords etc. Simple go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

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