Checked against Apple Support · iOS 27 — Oct 28, 2026
Quick answer
To force restart an iPhone with Face ID or iPhone 8 and later, quickly press and release the volume up button, quickly press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. A force restart doesn’t erase anything. To simply turn your iPhone off, press and hold the side button and either volume button, then drag the Power Off slider, or go to Settings › General › Shut Down.
Use a force restart when your iPhone is frozen, the screen won’t respond to touch, or an app has locked up the whole phone. If your iPhone is working normally, a regular shutdown is the gentler option.
How do I force restart an iPhone with Face ID?
These steps work on every iPhone with Face ID, and also on iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2nd generation and later). Press the volume buttons quickly; holding them too long takes a screenshot or opens other controls instead.
Press volume up
Quickly press and release the volume up button on the left side of the iPhone.
Press volume down
Quickly press and release the volume down button.
Hold the side button
Press and hold the side button on the right. Keep holding when the power-off slider appears, and let go only when the Apple logo shows. This can take more than 10 seconds.
How do I force restart an older iPhone?
Older models use a different button combination. Find your model below.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: press and hold the side button and the volume down button together until the Apple logo appears. This can take more than 10 seconds.
- iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation) and earlier: press and hold the Home button and the side (or top) button together until the Apple logo appears, which takes about 10 seconds.
How do I turn off an iPhone normally?
If your iPhone responds to touch, shut it down the normal way. There are two methods.
- With the buttons (Face ID models): press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. On an iPhone with a Home button, press and hold only the side button.
- From Settings (any model): open Settings › General, scroll down, tap Shut Down, then drag the slider.
- To turn it back on: press and hold the side button (or top button on older models) until the Apple logo appears.
Restart, force restart or reset: which one do you need?
| Option | When to use it | Erases data? |
|---|---|---|
| Turn off and on | The phone works but feels slow or glitchy | No |
| Force restart | The screen is frozen or won’t respond to touch | No |
| Reset settings | Network or settings problems keep coming back | No, but resets your settings |
| Erase All Content and Settings | Selling the phone or starting fresh | Yes, everything |
Warning: A force restart is safe, but erasing your iPhone is not. Back up to iCloud or a computer before you use any option that erases content.
Why won’t my iPhone force restart?
- The buttons were pressed too slowly. Tap volume up and volume down quickly, one after the other, then hold the side button straight away.
- You let go too early. Keep holding the side button past the power-off slider until the Apple logo appears, even if it takes more than 10 seconds.
- The battery is empty. If the screen stays black, charge your iPhone for one hour, then try again. If you see a low-battery icon, charge it for 30 minutes or until it starts.
- It still won’t turn on. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider to check the hardware.
What happens after you force restart an iPhone?
Your iPhone starts up as usual and keeps all your apps, photos, messages and settings. After any restart, you’ll need to enter your passcode once before Face ID or Touch ID works again. Any app that was frozen closes, and anything you hadn’t saved inside that app may be lost.
Frequently asked questions
Does a force restart delete anything on my iPhone?
No. A force restart only turns the iPhone off and back on. Your apps, photos, messages and settings stay where they are, though unsaved work in a frozen app may be lost.
How do I turn off my iPhone without the screen?
Use the buttons. On a Face ID iPhone, force restart it with volume up, volume down, then hold the side button. To shut it down instead, you need the screen to drag the Power Off slider.
Why does holding the side button open Siri instead?
Holding the side button on its own opens Siri. To see the power-off slider on a Face ID iPhone, hold the side button and either volume button at the same time.
How long should I hold the side button?
Keep holding until the Apple logo appears. Apple notes it can take more than 10 seconds, and the power-off slider shows briefly before the restart begins.
Can I turn off my iPhone from Settings?
Yes. Open Settings, tap General, scroll down, tap Shut Down, then drag the slider. This works on every iPhone model.
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