How to Restart iPhone? If your iPhone is freezing, apps are crashing, or the screen is unresponsive, restarting can often solve the problem. Restarting helps refresh your iPhone’s system, clears minor glitches, and improves performance.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through different ways to restart your iPhone, including force restarting and resetting when needed. Whether you have an iPhone 6, iPhone 13, or the latest model, this article will help you get your device running smoothly again.
Why Restarting Your iPhone is Important
iPhones work great, but sometimes they slow down or stop responding. Restarting your iPhone helps clear small software glitches, making it run smoothly again.
When you restart your iPhone, it refreshes the system without deleting any data. This simple action can fix freezing screens, crashing apps, and battery drain issues.
It is a good habit to restart your iPhone once in a while. This keeps it running at its best and prevents many common problems.
How to Restart iPhone Based on Your Model
The way you restart your iPhone depends on the model you have. Apple has changed button functions over the years, so follow the right steps for your device.
Restarting iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Up or Down button together.
- When the slide to power off appears, drag it to turn off the phone.
- Wait for the screen to go black, then press the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
Restarting iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and Earlier Models
- Press and hold the Power button until the slide to power off appears.
- Swipe the slider to turn off the device.
- After a few seconds, press the Power button to turn it back on.
Restarting helps fix many small issues, so try it before looking for other solutions.
How to Force Restart iPhone When It’s Frozen
Sometimes, your iPhone might freeze and not respond to touch. In such cases, a force restart can help.
Force restarting does not erase data. It just forces the phone to shut down and restart. This is useful when the screen is stuck, buttons do not work, or apps crash.
To force restart different iPhone models:
- iPhone 8 and later: Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7: Press and hold Power and Volume Down buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6 and earlier: Hold the Power and Home buttons at the same time until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
If your iPhone keeps freezing, check for software updates or free up storage space.
What to Do If Your iPhone Won’t Restart?
If your iPhone refuses to restart, there might be a deeper problem.
First, try charging your iPhone for at least 10 minutes and then attempt to restart it. A completely drained battery can sometimes cause the issue.
If that does not work, connect your iPhone to a computer and use iTunes (or Finder on Mac) to check for software issues. You may need to update or restore your device.
For serious problems, Apple Support can help. If your phone is under warranty, you might get a free repair or replacement.
How to Restart iPhone Without Using Buttons
If your Power or Volume buttons are not working, you can still restart your iPhone.
Go to Settings > General > Shut Down and slide the power off slider. Wait a few seconds, then plug in your charger to turn the phone back on.
Another option is AssistiveTouch, which adds a virtual Home button on your screen:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on.
- Tap the floating AssistiveTouch button, then go to Device > More > Restart.
These methods are useful if your physical buttons are broken or not responding.
How to Reset iPhone When Restarting Doesn’t Work
If your iPhone still has problems after restarting, you may need to reset it. Resetting can fix deeper software issues that a normal restart cannot.
There are two types of resets:
- Soft Reset: Keeps all your data and settings but refreshes the system. This can be done by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Factory Reset: Erases everything and restores your iPhone to its original state. Before doing this, backup your data to iCloud or a computer. Then, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
Resetting should be a last resort. If your iPhone still has issues after a reset, contact Apple for further help.
Does Restarting iPhone Delete Data?
Many people worry that restarting their iPhone might delete files or settings.
The good news is that a simple restart or force restart does not erase anything. Your photos, contacts, apps, and settings will remain the same.
However, if you reset your iPhone, data will be lost unless you have a backup. Always save your important files before resetting your device.
How Often Should You Restart Your iPhone for Best Performance?
Restarting your iPhone once a week can help keep it running smoothly.
Over time, apps keep running in the background, and small glitches can build up. A quick restart clears memory and improves performance.
If you notice slowdowns, freezing, or battery drain, restart your iPhone immediately. This simple step can fix many common issues.
Common iPhone Problems That Restarting Can Fix
Restarting is an easy fix for many everyday iPhone problems.
Here are some common issues that a restart can help solve:
- Apps crashing or freezing
- Slow performance or lag
- Touchscreen not responding
- No sound or low volume
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection issues
If your iPhone keeps having these problems, try restarting first before looking for advanced solutions.
How to Restart iPhone When the Screen is Not Working
Sometimes, your iPhone screen may stop responding, making it difficult to restart.
If your screen is frozen but the buttons still work, try a force restart. This method does not require the touchscreen and can help fix the issue.
If your screen is completely unresponsive, try these steps:
- Charge your iPhone for a few minutes and then restart it.
- Connect to a computer and restart using iTunes or Finder.
- Use AssistiveTouch if you had enabled it before the screen stopped working.
If the screen is cracked or damaged, you may need professional repair. Restarting might not help in such cases.
How to Restart iPhone in Recovery Mode
If your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo or won’t turn on, Recovery Mode can help.
Recovery Mode allows you to update or restore your iPhone when it’s not working properly. To enter Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable.
- Open iTunes (or Finder on Mac) and force restart your iPhone.
- Keep holding the Power button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- Choose Update to reinstall iOS without deleting data or Restore to erase everything.
Only use Recovery Mode if normal restarting doesn’t work. Always back up your data before restoring.
How to Restart iPhone When Power Button is Not Working
A broken power button can make restarting tricky, but there are other ways.
You can restart your iPhone using software settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Shut Down, then swipe to turn off your phone.
- Plug your iPhone into a charger, and it will turn back on automatically.
If your Power button is stuck or damaged, consider getting it repaired. AssistiveTouch can also help by adding a virtual button on your screen.
How to Restart iPhone Using Siri (Hands-Free Method)
Did you know you can restart your iPhone using Siri? This is useful if your buttons are not working or you prefer a hands-free method.
To restart with Siri:
- Say “Hey Siri, restart my iPhone.”
- Siri will ask for confirmation—say “Yes.”
- Your iPhone will automatically shut down and turn back on.
This method only works if Siri is enabled in Settings > Siri & Search. If your phone is frozen, you’ll need a force restart instead.
Conclusion
Restarting your iPhone is a simple way to fix many problems like slow speed, frozen screen, or crashing apps. It clears small errors and makes your phone work better. You can restart using buttons, settings, or even Siri if needed.
If your iPhone does not restart the normal way, you can try a force restart or use Recovery Mode. Restarting your iPhone once in a while keeps it running smoothly. If nothing works, Apple Support can help. Keep your phone updated and take care of it for the best performance!
FAQs
Q: Will restarting my iPhone delete my data?
A: No, restarting your iPhone does not delete any data. Your apps, photos, and settings will stay the same.
Q: What is the difference between restart and force restart?
A: A normal restart turns off and on your iPhone safely, while a force restart forces the phone to restart when it is frozen or not working.
Q: How often should I restart my iPhone?
A: Restarting once a week is a good habit. It helps clear small issues and makes your phone run faster.
Q: What should I do if my iPhone won’t restart?
A: Try charging it, using Recovery Mode, or connecting it to a computer. If nothing works, contact Apple Support.
Q: Can I restart my iPhone without using buttons?
A: Yes! You can restart your iPhone from Settings > General > Shut Down or use Siri if enabled.
