How to restart or force restart an iPhone

2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

A restart clears many small problems: an app that will not open, no mobile signal, a keyboard that lags. A force restart is for when the screen is black or does not react at all. Neither deletes anything.

The steps cover iPhones with Face ID and with a Home button.

The pictures are diagrams of the buttons to press.

Step by step

1. Normal restart on an iPhone with Face ID

   Hold the side button and either volume button together until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, wait about 30 seconds, then hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

   Done

2. Normal restart on an iPhone with a Home button

   Hold the side button, or the top button on older models, until the slider appears. Drag it, wait 30 seconds and hold the same button to turn the phone on.

   Done

3. Force restart on iPhone 8 and later

   Press and quickly release volume up. Press and quickly release volume down. Then press and hold the side button. Keep holding, even when the slider appears, and let go only when you see the Apple logo. That can take ten seconds or more.

   Done

4. Force restart on an iPhone 7

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

   Done

Good to know

If the buttons are broken, restart from the menu: Settings, General, Shut Down. To turn it back on, connect the charger.

If the iPhone shows a cable and a computer, or stays on the Apple logo for many minutes, it needs to be updated or restored with a computer. Apple's support page explains recovery mode.

A phone that freezes often may be out of storage. Check under Settings, General, iPhone Storage.

In short: Restart: side button and a volume button, slide, wait, turn on. Force restart: volume up, volume down, hold side button until the Apple logo.