To restart an iPhone, press and hold the Side button and Volume button until the power-off slider appears. Slide it to turn off, wait a few seconds, then press the Side button again to turn it back on. This is the simplest way to learn how to restart iPhone, and it works for most new models.
Knowing how to restart iPhone is essential for keeping your device healthy, fixing small issues, and ensuring smooth performance. Whether you’re facing a frozen screen, app glitches, or battery drain, restarting your iPhone is often the first solution recommended by experts.
In this detailed guide, you’ll learn how to restart iPhone for every model, including iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and iPhone 7. We’ll also show you how to restart iPhone without buttons, how to handle frozen screens with a force restart, and how to fix common problems during the restart process.
Why Should You Restart Your iPhone?
Many users wonder why they should even bother learning how to restart iPhone regularly. The answer is simple: restarting helps your iPhone run better and prevents long-term issues. It gives your device a fresh start, just like rebooting a computer.
Here are the main reasons why you should know how to restart iPhone:
- Restarting clears temporary memory (RAM), which speeds up your iPhone.
- It helps stop background apps that may be draining your battery.
- Restarting can fix minor glitches like apps crashing or the screen lagging.
- It refreshes your network connections, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Restarting can prevent your iPhone from overheating due to stuck processes.
- It reduces the chance of software crashes by allowing your system to reset cleanly.
When Should You Restart and When Should You Force Restart?
- Use a regular restart when your iPhone is working normally but feels slow or glitchy.
- Use a force restart when your iPhone is frozen, unresponsive, or stuck on the Apple logo.
Knowing both how to restart iPhone and how to force restart iPhone will help you manage these situations easily.
How to Restart iPhone: Step-by-Step for Each Model
The method you use to learn how to restart iPhone depends on which iPhone model you have. Apple has changed the button layout in different generations, so follow the instructions below for your device.
How to Restart iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13
If you have an iPhone 15, iPhone 14, or iPhone 13, you’ll notice there is no home button. These iPhones use Face ID, so the restart process is slightly different.
Here’s how to restart iPhone for Face ID models:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume Up or Volume Down button at the same time.
- When the power-off slider appears, drag it to the right to turn off your iPhone.
- Wait for about 30 seconds to ensure the device fully shuts down.
- Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo, then release it.
This method is the safest and most recommended way of how to restart iPhone if you’re using the latest models.
How to Restart iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and iPhone 7
If you’re using a model with a home button like the iPhone SE, iPhone 8, or iPhone 7, here’s how to restart iPhone properly:
- Press and hold the Side button (also called the Power button).
- When the slide to power off screen appears, drag the slider to turn off the phone.
- Wait about 30 seconds to ensure the shutdown is complete.
- Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo on your screen.
Learning how to restart iPhone for these models can solve common problems like app crashes or screen freezes.
How to Force Restart iPhone if It’s Frozen
Sometimes your iPhone won’t respond to taps or button presses. In that case, you’ll need to know how to restart iPhone using a force restart. This method is different from a regular restart because it forcibly cuts the power and reboots the system.
For iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and iPhone X:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
For iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd Gen):
- Use the same steps as above for the newer iPhones.
For iPhone 7:
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side button together.
- Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then release them.
Knowing how to restart iPhone with a force restart is crucial if your screen is frozen or the device is stuck during updates.
How to Restart iPhone Without Buttons
If your iPhone’s buttons are broken or not working properly, you might wonder how to restart iPhone without buttons. Luckily, Apple provides a feature called AssistiveTouch, which lets you control your iPhone using on-screen options.
Here’s how to restart iPhone without buttons using AssistiveTouch:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to Accessibility and then select Touch.
- Tap AssistiveTouch and turn it on. You’ll see a floating on-screen button appear.
- Tap the AssistiveTouch icon, then tap Device.
- Tap More, and then tap Restart.
- Confirm by tapping Restart again when prompted.
Using AssistiveTouch is a simple way to learn how to restart iPhone when your hardware buttons aren’t working, and it’s completely safe for all iPhone models.
Common Restart Problems and How to Fix Them
Even if you know how to restart iPhone, you might face some issues during the process. Here are some common problems and solutions:
- iPhone won’t turn back on
- Plug your iPhone into a charger for at least 15 minutes, then try again.
- Plug your iPhone into a charger for at least 15 minutes, then try again.
- Buttons are not working properly
- Use the AssistiveTouch method to restart your iPhone without buttons.
- Use the AssistiveTouch method to restart your iPhone without buttons.
- iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo
- Perform a force restart or connect your device to a computer and use iTunes or Finder to update or restore it.
- Perform a force restart or connect your device to a computer and use iTunes or Finder to update or restore it.
- iPhone keeps restarting in a loop
- This could be a software glitch. Try updating the system via iTunes, or visit Apple Support.
- This could be a software glitch. Try updating the system via iTunes, or visit Apple Support.
- iPhone screen is frozen and won’t respond to touch
- Perform a force restart specific to your model as explained above.
- Perform a force restart specific to your model as explained above.
Knowing how to restart iPhone is the first step to solving these problems, but having troubleshooting knowledge helps you go even further.
Tips to Keep Your iPhone Running Smoothly
Restarting your iPhone regularly is only part of keeping it in good condition. Here are some tips beyond how to restart iPhone that will keep your device working smoothly:
- Keep your iPhone software updated by installing the latest iOS versions.
- Delete unused apps and clear storage space to prevent lag and slowdowns.
- Restart your iPhone once a week as part of regular maintenance.
- Close apps you’re not using to free up system resources.
- Avoid letting your battery drain to zero too often, as it can wear down battery health.
Following these tips along with knowing how to restart iPhone will help you avoid problems and extend your device’s lifespan.
Final Thoughts
Mastering how to restart iPhone is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to keep your device in good health. Whether you’re using the latest iPhone 15 or an older iPhone 7, knowing how to perform a regular restart, a force restart, or a restart without buttons is essential.
Share this guide with friends or family who might need help learning how to restart iPhone. Bookmark this page for future reference so you always have quick access to these important instructions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How often should I restart my iPhone?
You should restart your iPhone at least once a week. Learning how to restart iPhone regularly helps prevent minor bugs and improves overall performance.
Q2. Will restarting my iPhone delete my apps or data?
No, learning how to restart iPhone is completely safe. Restarting does not delete your apps, photos, or data—it just refreshes the system.
Q3. What’s the difference between restart and reset?
- Restarting means turning your iPhone off and then back on again.
- Resetting usually refers to erasing settings or all content, so be careful not to confuse the two when learning how to restart iPhone.
4. My iPhone is frozen. How do I restart it?
If your iPhone is frozen, use the force restart method specific to your model. This is the fastest way to learn how to restart iPhone when it’s unresponsive.
Q5. Can I restart my iPhone without the power button?
Yes, you can use AssistiveTouch to restart your iPhone without buttons. It’s an essential method for people who need to know how to restart iPhone when physical buttons fail.
Q6. Why does my iPhone get stuck while restarting?
This could happen due to software glitches or failed updates. Try a force restart or connect to a computer to update the system. Knowing how to restart iPhone with advanced methods can help here.
Q7. Should I restart my iPhone after an iOS update?
Yes, it’s a good practice to learn how to restart iPhone after installing major updates. It ensures that all system changes take effect properly.
Q8. Does restarting my iPhone improve battery life?
Restarting your iPhone can temporarily improve battery life by closing background processes and clearing memory. That’s why knowing how to restart iPhone is a good habit.