How To Restart ANY iPhone Without Touch Screen (FAST & EASY) - Force reboot
iPhone screen completely frozen? Learn how to force restart any unresponsive iPhone using just the physical buttons with our quick, step-by-step guide.
Key Takeaways
Dealing with an unresponsive iPhone can be highly frustrating. If your device is completely frozen and the touch screen is no longer responding to your taps or swipes, you won't be able to turn it off using the standard on-screen slider. Fortunately, Apple includes a built-in hardware shortcut to bypass the screen entirely.
By performing a "force restart" (also known as a hard reboot), you can force your iPhone to reboot using only its physical buttons. Follow the simple step-by-step guide below to get your phone back up and running fast.
Step-by-Step Guide to Force Restarting Your iPhone
To force a reboot on your iPhone, you need to press three specific buttons in quick succession.
FAQ
Can I force my iPhone to shut down completely instead of restarting?
Yes, if you need to turn the device off completely without it automatically booting back up, you can perform a force shutdown. For step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide on How to Force SHUTDOWN your iPhone.
Do I need to hold down the volume buttons during a hard reboot?
No, you should not hold the volume buttons. The initial presses need to be relatively quick. Simply press and release the Volume Up button, followed immediately by a quick press and release of the Volume Down button, before pressing and holding the side Power button.
Press the Volume Up button: Quickly press and release the volume up button on the side of your iPhone.
Press the Volume Down button: Immediately after, quickly press and release the volume down button.
Press and hold the Power button: Press and hold down the side Power button.
Wait for the screen to shut off: Keep holding the Power button. The screen will eventually go black. Do not let go yet.
Wait for the Apple logo: Continue to hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Once you see the logo, you can safely let go.
Your iPhone has now been successfully force restarted and should boot up to your lock screen normally, restoring full touch screen functionality.
Quick Reference: Button Sequence
If you need a quick cheat sheet for the sequence, refer to the table below:
Step Sequence
Action Required
Button to Press
1
Quick press and release
Volume Up
2
Quick press and release
Volume Down
3
Press and hold
Power (Side) Button
4
Release
Power Button (Only after Apple logo appears)
Important Tips for a Successful Reboot
Timing is key: The initial presses of the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons need to be relatively quick. Don't hold them down; just press and let go before moving to the Power button.
Be patient while holding: It can feel like you are holding the Power button for a long time. It is completely normal for the screen to shut off first. Resist the urge to let go of the button until the Apple logo illuminates the screen.
Additional iPhone Troubleshooting Resources
If a force restart doesn't solve your issue, or if you are looking to perform a different hardware action, check out these helpful video tutorials:
Want to shut down instead of restart? If you need to turn the device off completely without it automatically booting back up, watch this guide on How to Force SHUTDOWN your iPhone.
Looking for more tips? Check out this recommended follow-up video for further device troubleshooting and guides.
How long do I have to hold the Power button to force a restart?
You must press and hold the side Power button until the Apple logo illuminates the screen. The screen will shut off and go black first, which can feel like a long time, but it is completely normal. Be patient and do not let go until you see the logo.
What should I do if a force restart doesn't fix my frozen touch screen?
If your iPhone screen remains unresponsive after successfully completing a force restart, you may need to look into other solutions. You can check out this recommended follow-up video for further device troubleshooting and guides.
