If your iPhone freezes, will not respond to taps, or shows a black screen, a force restart usually fixes it. It does not delete anything.

Force restart: iPhone 8 and later (including all Face ID models)

  1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
  3. Press and hold the side button.
  4. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears (this can take more than 10 seconds), then release.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Press and hold the side button and the volume down button together until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 6s and earlier (with a Home button)

Press and hold the Home button and the side (or top) button together until the Apple logo appears.

A normal restart

When the phone is working, restart it normally now and then: hold the side button and either volume button until you see the power-off slider, slide it, wait, then hold the side button to turn it back on.

Still not working?

  • Charge it for at least an hour with a working cable, then try the force restart again.
  • If it shows the Apple logo and freezes, or asks to connect to a computer, follow Apple’s guide for an iPhone that will not start, or visit an authorised service provider.

Phone hot or slow? See how to fix iPhone overheating and how to update iOS.

This guide was checked in October 2026. Menus and services change, so if something looks different on your phone, check with your provider.

Common questions

Does force restarting delete anything?

No. A force restart only restarts the phone; your data stays.

How do I force restart an iPhone 11 or later?

Press and quickly release volume up, press and quickly release volume down, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

What if the Apple logo appears and then it freezes?

Charge it for an hour and try again. If it still fails, see Apple’s support for an iPhone that will not turn on, or visit an authorised service provider.

How do I restart normally?

Hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, slide it, then turn the phone back on.

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