Meta Quest 3 stuck on "applying software update"

I resolved my issue. I don't know if it got resolved because something changed on the update server side or because of my actions but here is what I did: I did a factory reset once again and connected to my Mobile Hotspot  WiFi on my mobile phone, but this time I also turned off the regular WiFi connection on my phone to make sure that it uses cellular data. Maybe that fixed the issue because I started to use a different public IP address and got landed by a load balancer to a different update server. But this time everything worked fine as it should.

I also reached to meta support but their answer was ridiculous.

I wrote:

```

 Hi there, I have an issue with activating quest 3. I found that at least 2 other guys already reported it on the forum:
https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/Meta-quest-3-stuck-on-quot-applying-software-update-quot/m-p/1111686
https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/Quest-3-stuck-on-quot-Continue-setup-on-mobile-app-quot/m-p/1111853
One more thing that I can add to those 2 reports is that I had a long pause between the setup steps. When it asked to continue on the mobile app, I realized that it will take some time, so I left the helmet on the table an went to a grocery store. One I came back and recharged the helmet I'm not able to finish the setup even after a factory reset.
Could you please suggest what to do.

```

and their answer is:

```

Hi Stan

Thank you for contacting Meta Store Support. My name is Dylan and I will be assisting you today.
 

Setting up your Meta account with an email address

To set up a Meta account using your email address, you will need to provide:

• Email address: You can only create one Meta account per email address.
• First name and surname: We recommend using your real name in case you need to recover your account or manage your store purchases, but it is not required.
• Birthday: You need to be at least 13 years old (or the applicable age in your region) to set up and manage your own Meta account. If you are between the ages of 10 and 12 (or the applicable age in your region), then you need a parent-managed Meta account. Age information is used to help provide age-appropriate experiences.
• Password: This must be at least eight characters long. Avoid passwords that someone could guess easily.

Your Meta account information isn't public. You can manage how you appear in VR with your Meta Horizon profile.

After setting up your Meta account, you can add or remove this account from the same Accounts Centre as your Facebook and Instagram accounts at any time.

I look forward to an update from you.

If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact us again

Kind Regards,

Dylan
Meta Store Support

```

I have at least workaround (same problem): to update the quest:

- go to settings/system/update

- there you can download and install - restart after insall worked fine for me

to switch quest off: if i press power and choose switch off i get same screen again "applying software update"

- long press power until it says it switches off.

with this i can use this and will wait for a fix

Just got mine.

Extract same issues.

I got it to work with the hotspot

I'll add that I think I'm making progress where the mobile app goes to "Pair app to headset" and asks me to enter the 5-digit code, but when I go back into the headset it's still applying software update, and does not have any prompt to enter the code.  

I am currently (and for past few hours) going through the exact same problem with new Meta 3 - 128gb system... factory reset couple times.... deleted/ reinstalled Meta app..... nothing.... just keeps relooping "Applying software update".... then appears to be rebooting.... then Meta emblem comes on for a bit.... then back to "Applying software update"..... very frustrating..... hopefully someone has gone through this and figured it out

There's another thread with this issue that I'm following in hopes someone replies soon. 

https://ca-tangerin.com/?_=%2Ft5%2FGet-Help%2FMeta-quest-3-stuck-on-quot-applying-software-update-quot%2Ftd-p%2F1111686%2Fpage%2F3%23ILi8lg%2FrIf%2Bb5ykc97G4p7l0m3Zr5PaFmir3Zel5BBwnoQ%3D%3D

This has to be something with the applied update, some server that has some bogus update, or something.  Seems odd to be happening to different groups of people at the same time.  So not a hardware issue which I almost packed it all up and returned it.