Your iPhone is acting weird. Apps are freezing. The screen won’t respond. Before you panic or book a Genius Bar appointment, try this: restart your iPhone. Seriously. It sounds almost too simple, but a restart clears your device’s RAM, closes stuck processes, and fixes 70% of common iPhone problems. The best part? It takes 30 seconds and costs nothing.
Whether you’re running the latest iOS or an older model, knowing how to restart your iPhone is the first troubleshooting step every user should master. Different iPhone models have slightly different methods—Face ID phones work differently than Touch ID ones, and older models are different still. We’ll walk you through every scenario so you’re never stuck wondering what button to hold.
iPhone X and Newer (Face ID Models)
If you have an iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or any newer model with Face ID, here’s how to restart your iPhone the standard way:
- Open Settings from your home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Shut Down.
- You’ll see a slider that says “slide to power off.” Drag it to the right.
- Wait 30 seconds after the screen goes black.
- Press and hold the side button (the power button) until you see the Apple logo appear (usually 10-15 seconds).
- Release the button and let your phone boot up normally.
That’s it. Your iPhone is now restarted. The whole process takes about a minute, and you’re good to go. This soft restart clears temporary files and gives your system a fresh start without erasing any of your data.
Pro Tip: You can also use Siri to restart. Just say “Hey Siri, restart my iPhone,” and follow the prompts. It’s faster if your hands are full.
iPhone 8 and Older (Home Button Models)
Older iPhones (8, 7, 6S, 6, and earlier) have a different shutdown process because they use the Home button instead of Face ID:
- Open Settings.
- Go to General.
- Scroll down and tap Shut Down.
- Drag the “slide to power off” slider to the right.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the top button (or side button on iPhone 6 Plus and later) until the Apple logo appears.
- Release and let it boot up.
The key difference here is that older models don’t have a side button—they use the top button. But the principle is identical. You’re powering down completely, waiting a beat, then powering back up. This restart method works reliably on every iPhone with a Home button.
iPhone 8 Plus Through iPhone X
This era of iPhones (8 Plus, XR, XS, XS Max) is a bit of a hybrid. They have Face ID but also retain some Home button-adjacent features. Here’s the clearest way to restart your iPhone in this range:
- Go to Settings → General → Shut Down.
- Drag the power-off slider to the right.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the side button (power button on the right edge) until the Apple logo shows up.
- Release and wait for the restart to complete.
These models transition away from the Home button for power functions, so the side button is your go-to. If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone to one of these, this is the method you’ll use going forward.
Force Restart vs. Normal Restart: Know the Difference
Here’s where things get important. There are two types of restarts, and they serve different purposes.
Normal Restart (Soft Restart): This is what we’ve been describing. You go into Settings, tap Shut Down, and power the phone back on. It’s gentle, clean, and doesn’t risk any data loss. Use this when your phone is being sluggish or an app is misbehaving, but your phone still responds to taps.
Force Restart (Hard Restart): This is the nuclear option. You force your iPhone to shut down immediately without going through the normal shutdown sequence. Use this only when your phone is completely frozen, unresponsive, or stuck in a boot loop. A force restart doesn’t delete anything—it just forces the system to stop and restart abruptly.
For Face ID iPhones (X and newer), a force restart requires a specific button combo:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the side button (power button) until you see the “slide to power off” screen, then keep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears (about 10-15 seconds total).
For older iPhones with a Home button, the force restart is simpler:
- Press and hold both the top button (or side button) and the Home button together.
- Keep holding for about 10 seconds, even after the “slide to power off” appears.
- Release when you see the Apple logo.
The difference matters. A force restart is harsher on your system, so only use it when your phone won’t respond to normal commands. Think of it like force-quitting an app versus closing it normally—it works, but it’s more abrupt.
When You Should Restart Your iPhone
Not every problem needs a restart, but many do. Here are the scenarios where restarting your iPhone is genuinely your best first move:
- Apps keep crashing: If one or multiple apps are constantly freezing or closing unexpectedly, a restart often fixes this by clearing RAM and resetting the app environment.
- Your phone is slow: Over time, background processes pile up. A restart clears temporary files and gives your system breathing room. According to Family Handyman’s tech section, even tech experts recommend regular restarts as basic maintenance.
- Connectivity issues: WiFi won’t connect, Bluetooth is acting up, or cellular data is spotty. A restart resets your network stack and often solves these issues immediately.
- Battery draining too fast: If a restart doesn’t help, there’s likely a runaway app or setting issue, but restart first to rule out temporary glitches.
- Touchscreen is unresponsive: If taps aren’t registering or the screen is laggy, a restart often restores responsiveness.
- After updating iOS: Always restart your iPhone after installing a major iOS update. It helps the new system settle in and prevents weird behavior.
- After updating apps: Similar logic—a restart ensures the new app version runs smoothly.
- Before traveling or a big event: A preemptive restart before a vacation or important day can prevent last-minute issues.
The golden rule: When in doubt, restart first. It’s free, it takes a minute, and it solves more problems than you’d expect. Apple’s own support team recommends this as the first troubleshooting step for almost everything.
What If Restart Isn’t Working?
Occasionally, even restarting doesn’t fix the problem. Here’s what to try next:
If your iPhone won’t turn off: Try a force restart instead of a normal restart. The force restart bypasses the normal shutdown process and forces the system to restart immediately. Follow the force restart steps outlined above for your model.
If your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo: This usually means the restart is taking longer than normal. Wait at least 5 minutes—sometimes iOS needs time to finish background processes. If it’s still stuck after 10 minutes, try a force restart again.
If your iPhone won’t turn back on: Your battery might be completely drained. Connect it to a charger (use the official Apple charger or a certified third-party one) and wait 15-30 minutes before trying to restart. You should see a low-battery screen appear after a few minutes of charging.
If you see “Connect to iTunes” or “Connect to Finder”: Your iPhone is in recovery mode, which means something went wrong during the last restart or update. You’ll need to restore it using a computer. This Old House’s tech guides have detailed walkthroughs, but for iPhones, you’ll want to connect to a Mac or PC and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to restore.
If restarting keeps happening on its own: This is a boot loop, and it usually means a recent app or iOS update caused a conflict. Try restarting in Safe Mode by force restarting and immediately holding Volume Up as soon as you see the Apple logo. This loads only essential apps and can help you identify the culprit. Then update your apps or check for iOS updates.
If none of these work, you’re looking at a hardware issue or a serious software problem that requires professional help. At that point, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.
What to Do After Restarting Your iPhone
Once your iPhone has restarted successfully, take a few minutes to check that everything is working as expected:
- Open Settings and check for updates: Sometimes restarting reveals that iOS or app updates are pending. Install them while you’re in the mindset of maintenance.
- Test your apps: Open a few of the apps that were giving you trouble. See if they’re running smoothly now.
- Check connectivity: Connect to WiFi and test a web page. Make sure Bluetooth devices (if you have any) are pairing correctly.
- Review your battery: Go to Settings → Battery to see what’s consuming power. Sometimes a restart reveals which apps were draining your battery.
- Clean up your home screen: While you’re in a good place, consider organizing your home screen or removing apps you don’t use. This can improve overall performance over time.
A restart is often a reset button for your iPhone’s mental state. Use it as an opportunity to check in on your device’s health. If you notice the same problems recurring within a day or two, there’s likely a deeper issue—a problematic app, a storage problem, or a setting that needs adjustment.
One more thing: keeping your iPhone physically clean also helps with performance. Dust in ports and speakers can cause thermal issues, which sometimes trigger slowdowns that feel like software problems but are actually hardware-related.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting my iPhone delete my data or photos?
– No. A restart (soft or hard) does not delete any data. It simply turns your phone off and back on. All your photos, messages, apps, and settings will still be there. The only way to lose data is if you explicitly choose to erase your iPhone in Settings, which is a completely different action.
How often should I restart my iPhone?
– There’s no magic number, but restarting once a week or whenever you notice sluggishness is a good practice. Some power users restart daily. It’s harmless and takes a minute, so if your phone is acting up, restart without hesitation.
What’s the difference between restarting and resetting?
– A restart powers your phone off and back on. A reset (or factory reset) erases everything and returns your iPhone to its original state. You almost never want to do a factory reset unless you’re selling your phone or troubleshooting a serious software issue. A restart is much gentler and should be your go-to.
Why does my iPhone restart on its own?
– Unexpected restarts usually mean an app is crashing, iOS has a bug, your battery is failing, or your phone is overheating. If it happens once, don’t worry. If it keeps happening, try uninstalling recently updated apps, check for iOS updates, and monitor your phone’s temperature. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support.
Can I restart my iPhone without using Settings?
– Yes. You can use Siri (“Hey Siri, restart my iPhone”) or you can perform a force restart using the button combinations we described. If your screen is frozen and you can’t access Settings, a force restart is your only option.
Does restarting clear my cache?
– Partially. A restart clears temporary files and RAM, which is where most app cache lives. However, some apps store cache on your device’s storage, which survives a restart. If you want to fully clear an app’s cache, go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage, tap the app, and select “Offload App” (which removes the app but keeps its data) or “Delete App” (which removes everything).
My iPhone is in recovery mode. How do I get out?
– If you see “Connect to iTunes” or “Connect to Finder,” your phone is in recovery mode. You’ll need to connect to a computer with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) and follow the restore process. This is beyond a simple restart and requires a computer. Bob Vila’s tech resources have walkthroughs, though for iPhones you may want to consult Apple’s official support.
Is it bad to restart my iPhone frequently?
– No. Restarting is actually good maintenance. It doesn’t wear out your phone or damage anything. Think of it like rebooting a computer—it’s a normal, healthy thing to do.
What if my iPhone is too hot to touch?
– Don’t restart it immediately. Let it cool down first. Shut it down, remove the case if it has one, and let it sit in a cool place for 10-15 minutes. Excessive heat can damage the battery or processor. Once it cools, you can safely restart. If overheating happens frequently, there’s a hardware or app issue that needs professional diagnosis.
Can I restart my iPhone while it’s charging?
– Yes, it’s perfectly fine. In fact, it’s often a good idea to restart while charging so your phone doesn’t lose battery during the restart process. Just make sure you’re using a genuine Apple charger or a certified third-party charger.
