How to Restart iPhone - All Models (2025 Complete Guide)
Need to restart your iPhone but can't remember the button combination? You're not alone. Apple has changed the restart method across different iPhone models, making it confusing to keep track.
This complete guide covers every iPhone model from iPhone 16 down to iPhone 6, including soft restart, force restart, and what to do when your iPhone won't restart at all.
Quick answer for most users:
- iPhone 8 and newer: Press Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold Side button
- iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold Volume Down + Side button together
- iPhone 6s and older: Hold Home + Top button together
Let's dive into the details for your specific model.
Why Restart Your iPhone?
Before we get to the how, understand why restarting fixes most iPhone issues:
What Restarting Does
Clears temporary memory (RAM):
- Apps consuming excessive memory are closed
- Background processes are reset
- System cache is cleared
Resets system processes:
- Frozen apps are force-closed
- Stuck iOS services restart
- Network connections reconnect
Fixes common issues:
- ✅ Frozen or unresponsive screen
- ✅ Apps crashing repeatedly
- ✅ Poor performance or lag
- ✅ WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity issues
- ✅ Battery draining faster than usual
- ✅ Touchscreen not responding
- ✅ Face ID or Touch ID not working
Apple recommends restarting your iPhone once per week for optimal performance.
How to Restart iPhone: All Models
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
Method 1: Button Combination (Fastest)
- Press and quickly release Volume Up button
- Press and quickly release Volume Down button
- Press and hold Side button until Apple logo appears (10-15 seconds)
- Release Side button
- iPhone will restart automatically
Method 2: Settings Menu
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Shut Down
- Slide power off slider to the right
- Wait 30 seconds
- Press and hold Side button to turn back on
Which method to use:
- Button method: When Settings is frozen or unresponsive
- Settings method: For clean, controlled shutdown
iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
Same as iPhone 16 (button combination identical):
- Volume Up (press and release)
- Volume Down (press and release)
- Side button (hold until Apple logo)
Alternative for frozen iPhone 15: If screen is completely unresponsive, follow the button combo but hold for 20-30 seconds.
iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
Restart method:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up
- Press and quickly release Volume Down
- Press and hold Side button until you see the Apple logo
- Release when logo appears
iPhone 14 specific note: The A16 Bionic chip restarts faster than older models—expect 15-20 seconds vs 30-40 seconds on older iPhones.
iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
Restart steps:
- Quick press Volume Up button
- Quick press Volume Down button
- Hold Side button until Apple logo (10-20 seconds)
iPhone 13 mini tip: Smaller size makes buttons easier to accidentally press. Make sure you're pressing volume buttons quickly (don't hold).
iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
Restart process:
- Press and release Volume Up
- Press and release Volume Down
- Press and hold Side button until Apple logo appears
iPhone 12 mini specific: Buttons are slightly recessed—press firmly to ensure you're triggering them.
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
Restart method:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up button
- Press and quickly release Volume Down button
- Press and hold Side button until you see Apple logo (about 10 seconds)
Note: This was the first generation using this three-button restart method.
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, X
Restart steps:
- Quick press Volume Up
- Quick press Volume Down
- Hold Side button until Apple logo shows
iPhone XR note: Some users report needing to hold Side button for 15-20 seconds. Be patient.
iPhone SE (3rd generation - 2022)
Despite having a Home button, iPhone SE 2022 uses the modern method:
- Press and release Volume Up
- Press and release Volume Down
- Hold Side button until Apple logo
Why: Uses same internal architecture as iPhone 11/12.
iPhone 8, 8 Plus
First models with the three-button method:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up button
- Press and quickly release Volume Down button
- Press and hold Side button until Apple logo (10-15 seconds)
iPhone 7, 7 Plus
Two-button method:
- Press and hold Volume Down button
- Simultaneously press and hold Side button (on right side)
- Hold both for 10 seconds until Apple logo appears
- Release both buttons
Important: Do NOT release early. Hold for full 10 seconds.
iPhone SE (2nd gen - 2020, 1st gen - 2016)
Home button + Side button method:
- Press and hold Home button (front circle button)
- Simultaneously press and hold Side button (or Top button on 1st gen)
- Hold both for 10 seconds until Apple logo appears
- Release both buttons
iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 6, 6 Plus
Classic restart method:
- Press and hold Home button (front)
- Press and hold Sleep/Wake button (top for iPhone 6, right side for 6s)
- Hold both until Apple logo appears (10 seconds)
- Release when you see the logo
iPhone 5s, 5c, 5 and Earlier
Home + Top button:
- Press and hold Home button
- Press and hold Top button (Sleep/Wake)
- Hold both for 10 seconds
- Release when Apple logo shows
Force Restart vs Normal Restart: What's the Difference?
Normal Restart (Soft Reset)
What it does:
- Gracefully closes all apps
- Saves app states
- Properly shuts down iOS
- Cleanly restarts system
When to use:
- Routine maintenance (weekly restart)
- Minor glitches or slowness
- After iOS update
- App not responding (but screen works)
How:
- Use Settings → General → Shut Down method
- Or button combination (but hold Side button only briefly)
Force Restart (Hard Reset)
What it does:
- Immediately cuts power to system
- Forces iOS to restart without proper shutdown
- Doesn't close apps gracefully
- Clears stuck processes forcefully
When to use:
- ⚠️ iPhone completely frozen (screen won't respond)
- ⚠️ Stuck on Apple logo during boot
- ⚠️ Black screen but iPhone is on (you hear sounds)
- ⚠️ Screen won't turn on
- ⚠️ Touch screen completely unresponsive
How: Follow the button combinations above, but for force restart:
- Hold buttons longer (20-30 seconds instead of 10-15)
- Don't release until you see Apple logo
- Ignore "slide to power off" if it appears
Important: Force restart doesn't erase data. It's safe to use when needed.
Restart from Settings (All iPhone Models)
This method works on any iPhone running iOS 11 or later:
Step-by-Step:
- Open Settings app
- Tap General
- Scroll to bottom
- Tap Shut Down
- Slide the power off slider to the right
- Wait 30 seconds for complete shutdown
- Press and hold Side button (or Top button on older models)
- Release when Apple logo appears
When to use Settings method:
Best for:
- ✅ Planned restart (weekly maintenance)
- ✅ Before iOS update
- ✅ When button combination is confusing
- ✅ To ensure clean shutdown
Don't use when:
- ❌ iPhone is frozen (Settings won't open)
- ❌ Touch screen unresponsive
- ❌ Screen is black
Using Siri to Restart iPhone
Can Siri restart your iPhone?
Short answer: No directly, but she can help.
What Siri CAN do:
- "Hey Siri, open Settings" → Then navigate to Shut Down manually
- "Hey Siri, turn on Low Power Mode" → Sometimes fixes issues without restart
What Siri CANNOT do:
- Restart or shut down iPhone directly (security feature)
- Force restart
- Reboot system
Why: Apple prevents voice commands from restarting to avoid:
- Accidental shutdowns
- Malicious commands from others
- Security vulnerabilities
Using AssistiveTouch to Restart
If your physical buttons are broken, use AssistiveTouch:
Enable AssistiveTouch:
- Settings → Accessibility → Touch → AssistiveTouch
- Toggle ON
- A floating button appears on screen
Restart with AssistiveTouch:
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button (floating circle)
- Tap Device
- Press and hold Lock Screen icon for 3 seconds
- Slide to power off appears
- Slide to shut down
- Wait 30 seconds
- Use any method to power back on
Or:
- AssistiveTouch → Device → More
- Tap Restart (if available on your iOS version)
Troubleshooting: iPhone Won't Restart
Problem 1: iPhone Frozen on Apple Logo
Solution:
- Force restart using button combination for your model
- Hold buttons for full 30 seconds
- If still stuck, connect to computer and use Recovery Mode
Problem 2: Black Screen, iPhone Won't Turn On
Check if iPhone is actually on:
- Press Volume Up button
- Listen for vibration or sound
- Connect charger and look for charging indicator
If iPhone is on but screen black:
- Force restart (hold for 30 seconds)
- Charge for 30 minutes, then try restart
- Check for physical damage
Problem 3: Stuck on "Slide to Power Off"
Solution:
- Don't slide
- Wait 30 seconds
- Screen will timeout and return to lock screen
- Try button restart method again (don't hold as long)
Problem 4: Buttons Not Working
Alternative methods:
- Let battery die completely (0%)
- Charge for 1 hour
- iPhone will auto-restart when sufficient charge
- Or use AssistiveTouch method (if screen works)
- Consider button repair if chronic issue
Problem 5: iPhone Restarts But Issue Persists
If restart doesn't fix your problem:
Try in this order:
- Update iOS: Settings → General → Software Update
- Reset All Settings: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Reset → Reset All Settings
- Restore from Backup: Use iCloud or iTunes backup
- Erase All Content: Factory reset (backup first!)
- Visit Apple Store: Hardware issue requiring repair
When to Restart Your iPhone (Recommended Schedule)
Weekly Restart (Maintenance)
Every Sunday (or pick a day):
- Use Settings → Shut Down method
- Clean restart improves performance
- Clears accumulated RAM
- Resets background processes
Benefits:
- 10-15% better battery life
- Faster app launching
- Fewer random crashes
- Smoother UI animations
After These Events (As Needed)
Restart your iPhone after:
- ✅ Installing iOS update (always restart)
- ✅ Installing major app update (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- ✅ Changing significant settings (VPN, DNS, etc.)
- ✅ Experiencing repeated app crashes
- ✅ Poor cellular or WiFi performance
- ✅ Unusual battery drain
- ✅ Touchscreen acting weird
Emergency Restart (Force Restart)
Only when:
- ❌ iPhone completely frozen
- ❌ Screen unresponsive for 60+ seconds
- ❌ Stuck on logo or black screen
- ❌ Critical malfunction
Does Restarting iPhone Delete Anything?
No. Restarting is 100% safe and deletes nothing.
What's Preserved:
Everything stays:
- ✅ Photos and videos
- ✅ Apps and app data
- ✅ Messages and conversations
- ✅ Contacts
- ✅ Settings and preferences
- ✅ Downloaded music and files
- ✅ Saved passwords
- ✅ Apple Pay cards
- ✅ Face ID / Touch ID settings
What's Cleared (Temporarily):
Only temporary data:
- ❌ RAM (running memory)
- ❌ Unsaved data in apps (drafts in Notes, etc.)
- ❌ Open tabs in Safari (if not saved)
- ❌ Clipboard contents
- ❌ Cache files
Best practice: Save work in progress before restarting.
Restart vs Reset vs Restore: Know the Difference
Restart (Reboot)
What: Powers off and back on Data loss: None Time: 30 seconds When: Weekly maintenance, minor issues
Reset All Settings
What: Resets settings to default Data loss: WiFi passwords, wallpapers, settings (content preserved) Time: 5 minutes When: Settings corruption, persistent issues
Erase All Content (Factory Reset)
What: Wipes iPhone to factory state Data loss: EVERYTHING (backup first!) Time: 30-60 minutes When: Selling iPhone, major system issues
Restore from Backup
What: Replaces iPhone data with backup Data loss: Anything not in backup Time: 1-4 hours (depends on backup size) When: Failed update, severe bugs, lost data
Bottom line: "Restart" is safe. "Reset/Restore" require caution.
Quick Reference Chart
| iPhone Model | Button Combination |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11 | Vol Up → Vol Down → Hold Side |
| iPhone XS/XR/X | Vol Up → Vol Down → Hold Side |
| iPhone SE (2022/2020) | Vol Up → Vol Down → Hold Side |
| iPhone 8/8 Plus | Vol Up → Vol Down → Hold Side |
| iPhone 7/7 Plus | Vol Down + Side (together) |
| iPhone SE (2016) | Home + Side (together) |
| iPhone 6s/6 | Home + Top/Side (together) |
| iPhone 5s and older | Home + Top (together) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I restart my iPhone? A: Once per week for maintenance. More frequently if experiencing issues. There's no harm in restarting daily if you prefer.
Q: Will force restarting damage my iPhone? A: No. Force restart is a built-in safety feature designed for exactly these situations. It's safe to use whenever your iPhone is frozen.
Q: Why does my iPhone need to be restarted? A: iOS runs hundreds of background processes. Over time, some can malfunction or consume excessive resources. Restarting clears everything and starts fresh.
Q: Can I restart iPhone from computer? A: No, not directly. You can use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to put iPhone in Recovery Mode, but the iPhone itself must perform the restart.
Q: My iPhone automatically restarts itself. Is this normal? A: No. Random restarts indicate:
- Failing battery (check Battery Health)
- Software bug (update iOS)
- Hardware issue (visit Apple)
- Overheating (let cool down)
Q: What's the difference between restart and shutdown? A: Shutdown turns iPhone completely off (no power to system). Restart shuts down and immediately powers back on. Both are safe and don't delete data.
Q: Will restarting fix my cracked screen? A: No. Restart fixes software issues only. Physical damage requires repair.
Q: How long should I wait before turning iPhone back on after shutdown? A: 30 seconds minimum. This ensures capacitors discharge fully and system resets completely.
Q: Does restarting improve battery life? A: Indirectly, yes. If an app or process is draining battery abnormally, restarting stops it. Check our guide on fixing iPhone battery drain for more solutions.
Q: Can I schedule automatic restarts on iPhone? A: No built-in feature for this. Some jailbroken iPhones can, but Apple doesn't offer automatic restart scheduling natively.
Advanced: Recovery Mode and DFU Mode
If standard restart doesn't work, you may need advanced recovery methods:
Recovery Mode
When to use: iPhone stuck in boot loop, won't start, or bricked
How to enter (iPhone 8 and newer):
- Connect iPhone to computer (Mac or PC with iTunes)
- Quick press Volume Up
- Quick press Volume Down
- Hold Side button until Recovery Mode screen appears
- Computer will detect iPhone in recovery mode
- Choose "Update" to reinstall iOS (preserves data)
DFU Mode (Device Firmware Update)
When to use: Recovery Mode doesn't work, severe software corruption
How to enter (iPhone 8 and newer):
- Connect to computer
- Quick press Volume Up
- Quick press Volume Down
- Hold Side button for 10 seconds
- Release Side, KEEP holding Volume Down for 5 more seconds
- Screen stays black (if successful)
- iTunes/Finder detects iPhone for restore
Warning: DFU mode usually requires full restore (data loss). Backup first!
Conclusion: Master the Restart
Knowing how to restart your iPhone is essential troubleshooting knowledge. Whether you have the latest iPhone 16 or an older iPhone 6, the process takes less than 30 seconds and fixes 80% of common issues.
Remember:
- Weekly restart for maintenance and performance
- Force restart when frozen or unresponsive
- Normal restart is 100% safe (no data loss)
- Check your specific iPhone model for correct button combo
Pro tip: Bookmark this page. You'll forget the button combination eventually—everyone does!
Essential iPhone Accessories for Troubleshooting
If you're frequently restarting your iPhone due to performance issues, these accessories can help:
- Fast Charging Cable & 20W Adapter - Quick charge when battery dies during troubleshooting
- Portable Power Bank 10,000mAh - Never run out of power during fixes
- iPhone Screen Protector & Case Bundle - Protect from damage causing issues
- Wireless Charging Stand - Convenient charging if buttons are failing
- iPhone Repair Tool Kit - DIY fixes for stuck buttons
Budget tip: A quality charging cable solves 30% of "iPhone won't turn on" issues—most are just charging problems, not hardware failures.
Still having issues after restart? Check these guides:
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