This wikiHow teaches you how to force restart an unresponsive iPhone. To do so, you need to press certain key combinations, with different combinations based on the device model. If this process doesn't produce the desired results, you can learn how to repair the iPhone operating system by connecting the device to a computer.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Force Restart iPhone 8 (and Later Versions)
Step 1. Press and release the volume up button
This button is on the left side of the phone, near the top edge of the device.
This method applies to iPhone 8, 8 Plus, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd Generation or 2nd Generation)
Step 2. Press and release the volume down button
It's on the left side of the phone, below the volume up button.
Step 3. Press and hold the side button
This button is on the right side of the device. Keep holding the button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Step 4. Release the finger once the Apple logo is displayed
Unresponsive devices will be force restarted.
If the device still won't restart, charge it for an hour and try again. If you still can't force restart your phone, read on how to fix iPhone won't force restart
Method 2 of 4: Force Restart iPhone 7 or 7 Plus
Step 1. Press and hold the volume down and “Sleep/Wake” button
The volume down button is on the left side of the iPhone and the “Sleep/Wake” button is on the top end of the device. Keep holding the buttons until the Apple logo appears.
Step 2. Release the buttons once the Apple logo is displayed
If successful, the iPhone will restart normally.
If your iPhone won't restart, charge it for an hour and try again. If your device still won't restart, read on how to fix iPhone that won't force restart
Method 3 of 4: Force Restart iPhone 6, 6s Plus, or iPhone SE (1st Generation or 1st Generation)
Step 1. Press and hold the “Sleep/Wake” and “Home” buttons
The “Sleep/Wake” button is at the top end of the iPhone, while the “Home” button is the large circular button at the bottom center of the screen. Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo.
Step 2. Release the buttons when the Apple logo is displayed
iPhone will restart normally if successful.
If the device won't restart, charge it for an hour and try again. If that doesn't work, read on for the iPhone repair method that won't force restart
Method 4 of 4: Fix iPhone That Won't Force Restart
Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer
If your iPhone gets stuck on the Apple logo or the screen goes blank during a force restart, try using a PC or Mac to fix it without losing data. Start by connecting your iPhone to your computer using a data charging cable.
Step 2. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC)
If you are using the Mac Catalina operating system or later, click the bi-colored face icon in the Dock to launch the Finder. If you are using an earlier version of Windows or MacOS operating system, open iTunes from the “Start” menu or “Applications” folder.
Step 3. Locate your iPhone
If you're using the Finder, click the iPhone's name in the left pane under the "Locations" section. If you're using iTunes, click the button with the iPhone icon in the top-left corner of the app (to the right of the drop-down menu).
Step 4. Enable recovery mode on iPhone
The steps to follow differ by device model:
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Device models with Face ID:
Press and release the volume button, then press and release the volume down button. After that, press and hold the button in the top corner of your device until your iPhone restarts in recovery mode.
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iPhone 8 or later:
Press and release the volume up button, then press and release the volume down button. After that, press and hold the button on the right side of the device until the iPhone restarts in recovery mode.
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iPhone 7/7 Plus:
Press and hold the device's top button (or right side button on some models) and the volume down button at the same time. Lift your finger after restarting the phone in recovery mode.
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iPhones with a physical “Home” button, iPhone 6, and earlier:
Press and hold the “Home” button and the top (or right side) button at the same time. Lift your finger once the recovery mode page is displayed on the screen.
Step 5. Click the Update button on the computer
It's in the message pop-up window that appears in the Finder or iTunes when iPhone enters recovery mode. With this option, you can repair iOS without deleting data.
- If this process is successful in repairing the device, the iPhone will restart normally.
- If the process takes longer than 15 minutes to download the update, iPhone will exit recovery mode automatically. In this situation, repeat step four to return to recovery mode and try again.
- If your iPhone has been updated successfully, but you still can't use it, you can factory reset your device. Just repeat this method, but instead of selecting “ Updates ", choose " Restore " All data on the phone will be erased with this option so make this step a last resort.
Step 6. Contact Apple support service if iPhone still won't restart
Apple advises customers to contact their support team if you continue to experience issues such as a screen that appears blank (black or another color), the device doesn't respond to touch even though the screen stays on, or an iPhone that "holds on" to the Apple logo. To contact the support team, visit https://getsupport.apple.com, select the appropriate device model, and follow the instructions on the screen.
