iPhones are renowned for their reliability, but even the best technology can occasionally encounter issues. A frozen screen or unresponsive apps can be incredibly frustrating. However, there’s no need to worry! Often, a simple restart is all it takes to rejuvenate your iPhone. Frozen screens are fairly common, even with the latest iOS versions, and they’re nothing to be concerned about – problems happen, and they can be resolved. We’ve prepared a comprehensive guide on how to force restart your iPhone and get it working smoothly again.
The difference between a soft reset, a force restart, and a factory reset
Restarting your iPhone using the software option, known as a soft reset, will not cause any data loss. The same applies to a force restart, which uses the hardware keys to restart your iPhone when the touchscreen is unresponsive or apps are malfunctioning. However, a factory reset is entirely different. It restores your iPhone to its original state as when it was first purchased, erasing all content, settings, and personal information.
We recommend performing a factory reset only as a last resort for unresolved issues, but it’s also necessary when selling or trading in your iPhone, giving it to a friend, or if the phone is lost or stolen. Though it wipes all data, it’s not necessarily permanent, as you can use a backup to restore your phone’s data and settings. If you need to perform a factory reset, check out our guide on how to factory reset an iPhone, which also includes detailed information on the reset options found in Settings > General > Reset.
How to soft reset your iPhone 15 and other models
The simplest way to soft reset your iPhone is by turning it off. This method, known as a “soft reset,” won’t cause any data loss or delete anything from your phone, unlike a factory reset. You should consider a soft reset if your phone is running slowly, an app won’t launch or function properly, or if you experience a minor issue but your iPhone remains responsive.
Here’s how to perform a soft reset:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Lower Volume button simultaneously. On the iPhone X and later models, the Sleep/Wake button is on the right side of the phone.
- Rest your finger on the Slide to Power Off slider that appears, then swipe to the right.
- Once the screen goes black, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears to turn the phone back on.
For an iPhone SE or iPhone 8 or earlier, you can shut down your iPhone by holding down the Sleep/Wake button until the slider appears.
How to force restart your iPhone
Another method to reset your iPhone 15 or older models is through what Apple officially refers to as a “force restart.” This process will not result in any data loss. A force restart is recommended when your iPhone becomes completely unresponsive, such as when the screen goes black while the phone is still powered on, the screen freezes, or the iPhone encounters an issue during startup. The specific steps to perform a force restart vary depending on the iPhone model you own.
Force Restart for iPhone 8 and Later Models
The following steps apply to the iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd generation and later), iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.