A force restart reboots an unresponsive iPhone when the screen is frozen or the normal power-off slider will not appear. It does not erase any of your data, so it is a safe first step for a stuck phone.
What you'll need
- Your iPhone
Step by step
- Press volume upQuickly press and release the volume up button. Do not hold it, just a fast tap.
- Press volume downImmediately press and release the volume down button in the same quick manner.
- Hold the side buttonPress and keep holding the side button on the right edge, even after the power-off slider appears on screen.
- Wait for the Apple logoKeep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears, then let go. The phone will finish booting on its own.
Handy tips
- Do the three steps in quick succession without long pauses between them.
- If nothing happens after 15 to 20 seconds, try again and make sure you hold the side button long enough.
- On very old iPhones with a Home button, hold the Home and side buttons together instead.
Heads up
- If the phone will not force restart at all, plug it into a charger for at least 15 minutes first, as a fully drained battery can prevent it from turning on.
FAQ
Does a force restart delete my data?
No. It simply reboots the phone and leaves your photos, apps, messages, and settings untouched.
When should I force restart instead of a normal restart?
Use a force restart when the screen is frozen or unresponsive and you cannot reach the power-off slider the normal way.
The force restart did not work. What now?
Charge the phone for at least 15 minutes and try again. If it still will not respond, connect it to a computer to check for a needed update or recovery.