How to Restart iPhone – Full Guide for All Models
Need a new charger before you restart?
Buy a fast, reliable iPhone 15 charger on Amazon now
Whether your iPhone is acting up, frozen, or just needs a fresh start, knowing how to restart your iPhone is one of the most basic—and useful—troubleshooting skills. While restarting seems simple, the steps vary depending on your iPhone model.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to restart any iPhone, from the latest iPhone 15 series all the way back to older models with Home buttons. We’ll also cover the difference between a restart and a force restart, plus when and why you should use each one.
Let’s dive in.
Whether your iPhone is acting up, frozen, or just needs a fresh start, knowing how to restart your iPhone is one of the most basic—and useful—troubleshooting skills. While restarting seems simple, the steps vary depending on your iPhone model.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to restart any iPhone, from the latest iPhone 15 series all the way back to older models with Home buttons. We’ll also cover the difference between a restart and a force restart, plus when and why you should use each one.
Let’s dive in.
Why You Might Need to Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone can fix a range of common issues, including:
App crashes or freezes
Screen lag or unresponsiveness
Connectivity issues (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular)
Battery or performance problems
After an iOS update or app installation
A simple restart can refresh your device’s memory, clear out temporary glitches, and improve performance without losing any data.
How to Restart iPhone (By Model)
For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 (Face ID models)
These newer iPhones do not have a physical Home button. Here’s how to restart them:
Steps:
Press and hold the Side button (on the right) and either Volume button (up or down) at the same time.
When the power-off slider appears, drag the slider from left to right to turn off the iPhone.
Wait 30 seconds for the device to power down.
Press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears.
You’ve now successfully restarted your iPhone.
For iPhone 6, 7, 8, SE (2nd and 3rd Gen) – With Home Button
If your iPhone has a physical Home button, the process is slightly different:
Steps:
Press and hold the Side button (iPhone 6/7/8) or Top button (iPhone SE) until the power-off slider appears.
Slide to power off.
After the screen goes black, wait a few seconds.
Hold the Side or Top button again until you see the Apple logo.
That’s it—your iPhone is restarted!
How to Force Restart iPhone (When It’s Frozen or Unresponsive)
If your iPhone is completely frozen and won’t respond to touch or buttons, you may need to perform a force restart. This won’t delete any data—it just forces the device to reboot.
iPhone 8, SE (2nd Gen), X, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15:
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button
Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
Release the button
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
Press and hold the Volume Down and Side button at the same time
Keep holding until the Apple logo appears
Release both buttons
iPhone 6, 6S, SE (1st Gen):
Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button
Keep holding both until the Apple logo shows
Release to let the device reboot
When Should You Restart Your iPhone?
Here are a few good times to restart your iPhone regularly:
After installing a major iOS update
When your phone feels unusually slow
If apps begin crashing frequently
When battery drain seems excessive
After changing network or system settings
Restarting once every week or two can help keep your device running smoothly.
Can You Restart an iPhone Without the Buttons?
Yes! You can restart your iPhone without using any physical buttons by following these steps:
Go to Settings > General
Scroll down and tap Shut Down
Use the slider to power off
Wait 30 seconds, then plug your phone into power or press the Side button to turn it back on
This method is helpful if your power or volume buttons are damaged or unresponsive.
Troubleshooting Tips If Your iPhone Won’t Restart
If your iPhone isn’t restarting, try these steps:
Charge your iPhone: It might just be dead. Plug it in for 15–30 minutes.
Try a force restart: Especially if the screen is black or frozen.
Check for software updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update
Contact Apple Support: Hardware issues may be to blame
In rare cases, you may need to restore your iPhone using a Mac or PC via Finder or iTunes.
Restarting iPhone with Siri (Can You Do It?)
As of iOS 17, Siri still cannot directly restart your iPhone due to system restrictions. If you try saying "Hey Siri, restart my iPhone," she’ll respond with something like “Sorry, I can’t help with that.”
Hopefully, this functionality will come in future updates!
Summary: How to Restart iPhone
iPhone ModelHow to RestartiPhone 15 / 14 / 13 / 12 / X / 11Hold Side + Volume button, then slide to power offiPhone SE / 8 / 7 / 6Hold Side or Top button, then slide to power offForce Restart (Newer)Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold Side buttonForce Restart (Older)Hold Home + Power (or Volume Down for iPhone 7)
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to restart your iPhone is a simple but powerful way to fix common issues and keep your device running smoothly. Whether you have the latest iPhone 15 or an older model, taking just a few seconds to reboot your phone can save you from unnecessary stress.
Remember—restarting is safe, easy, and often all you need to get things back to normal.
Did this guide help you? Bookmark it for future reference or share it with someone who just got a new iPhone!