📱 How to Restart iPhone: Normal, Force Restart, and Button Free Options
If your iPhone is frozen, stuck on the Apple logo, or simply acting strangely, the hardest part is often knowing which restart method to use. A normal restart, force restart, and factory reset sound similar, but they do very different things.
While researching iPhone troubleshooting guides for Spotich.com, I found that some guides mix these methods together or use the wrong button sequence for older models. I checked the steps in this guide against current Apple Support information so you can choose the right method without taking unnecessary risks.
If your iPhone still responds, start with a normal restart. If the whole phone is frozen or does not respond, use a force restart instead. Neither method starts Apple’s erase process.
⚡ Quick Answer: How to Restart iPhone
On an iPhone X or later:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button.
- Drag the shutdown slider.
- Wait about 30 seconds for the iPhone to turn off.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Apple uses different normal restart steps for some older models. If your screen is frozen and you cannot move the slider, use the force restart instructions instead.
🧭 Which iPhone Restart Method Should You Use?
Start with the problem you can see. This helps you avoid trying button combinations or reset options that you do not need.
| What Is Happening? | Best First Step | Deletes Personal Data? |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone works normally | Normal restart | No |
| Phone feels slow or acts strangely | Normal restart | No |
| Only one app is frozen | Close and reopen the app | No |
| Whole screen is frozen | Force restart | No |
| Touchscreen does not respond | Force restart | No |
| You want an onscreen restart | AssistiveTouch | No |
| You want to shut down without the normal buttons | Settings or Control Center | No |
| Screen stays black | Force restart, then charging checks | No |
| iPhone stays on the Apple logo | Follow Apple’s recovery steps | Update may keep data; Restore erases the phone |
| Phone keeps restarting itself | Check software and startup problems | No |
| You want to sell or give away the phone | Factory reset | Yes |
Swipe sideways to view the full table on smaller screens.
Apple treats restart, force restart, Reset All Settings, and Erase All Content and Settings as separate actions. A factory reset is not the right first step for a simple freeze or temporary software problem.
Choose the Right Restart Method
Match what your iPhone is doing with the safest first step.
| Your Situation | Start With | Personal Data |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone works normally | Normal restart | Kept |
| One app is frozen | Close and reopen the app | Kept |
| Whole phone is frozen | Force restart | Kept |
| Touchscreen does not respond | Force restart | Kept |
| You want an onscreen restart | AssistiveTouch | Kept |
| You only want to shut it down without the normal buttons | Settings or Control Center | Kept |
| Screen stays black | Force restart, then charging checks | Kept |
| You want to sell or give away the phone | Factory reset | Erased |
🔄 How to Restart an iPhone Normally
A normal restart turns the iPhone off and starts it again. Use this method when the phone still responds to touch and button presses.
The steps change on older models, so choose the group that matches your iPhone.
🔎 Not Sure Which iPhone Model You Have?
Open:
Settings > General > About
Apple lets you view device information from the About screen. If you need the exact model number, Apple also provides a model identification guide.
Knowing the model can prevent a common mistake. Normal restart and force restart use different button combinations on several older iPhones.
Normal Restart by iPhone Type
| iPhone Group | How to Shut It Down | How to Turn It Back On |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone X and later | Hold Side + either Volume button, then drag the slider | Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears |
| iPhone 6, 7, 8 and SE 2nd/3rd gen | Hold the Side button, then drag the slider | Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears |
| SE 1st gen, iPhone 5 and earlier | Hold the Top button, then drag the slider | Hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears |
📲 How to Restart iPhone X and Later
Use these steps for iPhone X and later models:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button.
- Keep holding until the shutdown slider appears.
- Drag the slider.
- Wait about 30 seconds for the iPhone to turn off.
- Press and hold the Side button.
- Release it when the Apple logo appears.
You can use either Volume Up or Volume Down during the first step. You do not need to hold both Volume buttons.
If the screen does not respond and you cannot drag the slider, use a force restart instead.
📱 How to Restart iPhone 6, 7, 8, and iPhone SE 2nd or 3rd Generation
These iPhones use the Side button for a normal shutdown:
- Press and hold the Side button.
- Wait for the shutdown slider.
- Drag the slider.
- Wait about 30 seconds for the device to turn off.
- Press and hold the Side button again.
- Release it when the Apple logo appears.
You do not need the Home or Volume buttons for a normal restart on these models. Apple’s current instructions use the Side button alone.
This point matters because some third party tutorials mix normal restart steps with force restart combinations.
📟 How to Restart iPhone SE 1st Generation, iPhone 5, and Earlier
Older models use the Top button:
- Press and hold the Top button.
- Wait for the shutdown slider.
- Drag the slider.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the Top button again.
- Release it when the Apple logo appears.
If the screen does not respond, use the force restart method for older models instead.
👆 How to Restart iPhone Without the Normal Button Combination
You have several onscreen choices if pressing physical buttons is difficult. AssistiveTouch can perform a restart, while Settings and Control Center can shut down the iPhone.
There is an important difference between those options. Settings and Control Center can turn the phone off, but they do not provide a full button free restart because Apple’s normal method uses the Side button to turn the iPhone back on. How to Factory Reset iPhone Safely
♿ Restart iPhone With AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch can restart an iPhone without using the normal physical button sequence. Apple lists restart as one of the actions available through AssistiveTouch.
To turn it on:
Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch
After you enable it, open the AssistiveTouch menu and use its restart action.
AssistiveTouch is the better choice if you want a true onscreen restart rather than just an onscreen shutdown.
⚙️ Turn Off iPhone From Settings
Apple lets you turn off an iPhone through Settings:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down.
- Tap Shut Down.
- Drag the slider.
After the phone turns off, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears to turn it back on.
For that reason, Settings gives you a button free shutdown, but it does not always give you a complete button free restart.
🎛️ Turn Off iPhone From Control Center
Apple also lets you turn off an iPhone from Control Center:
- Open Control Center.
- Touch and hold the shutdown control in the top right corner.
- Drag the shutdown slider.
- Wait for the iPhone to turn off.
Control Center only handles the shutdown part. It is not a complete button free restart method. Apple normally tells you to press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears to turn the phone back on.
If your Side button does not work and you need a full onscreen restart, use AssistiveTouch instead.
Control Center limitation: Control Center can turn the iPhone off, but it does not complete a full button-free restart. After shutdown, Apple normally tells you to hold the Side button to turn the iPhone back on. If you need a true onscreen restart, use AssistiveTouch instead.
🗣️ Can Siri Restart an iPhone?
Some third party guides describe a direct Siri restart command. Apple’s main restart guide does not present Siri as its standard restart method.
Apple does confirm that Siri can turn on AssistiveTouch. Once AssistiveTouch is active, you can use its restart function.
Siri features can vary by language, region, and device settings, so the button and AssistiveTouch methods remain clearer choices.
🧊 How to Force Restart an iPhone When It Is Frozen
Use a force restart when the iPhone itself does not respond and you cannot turn it off normally. A force restart uses a button sequence instead of the shutdown slider.
A force restart is not a factory reset. It does not start Apple’s Erase All Content and Settings process.
Force Restart Cheat Sheet
Use this only when the iPhone itself is frozen or unresponsive.
| iPhone Group | Button Sequence |
|---|---|
| iPhone 8 and later | Press Volume Up → Press Volume Down → Hold Side |
| iPhone 7 / 7 Plus | Hold Side + Volume Down |
| iPhone 6s, SE 1st gen and earlier | Hold Home + Side or Top |
📲 Force Restart iPhone 8 and Later
Use this sequence on iPhone 8 and later models:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up.
- Press and quickly release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the Side button.
The first two button presses should be quick. Do not hold the Volume buttons.
Apple says the Apple logo may take longer than 10 seconds to appear.
📱 Force Restart iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
The iPhone 7 series uses a different combination:
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together.
- Keep holding both buttons.
- Release them when the Apple logo appears.
The Apple logo may take longer than 10 seconds to appear.
Do not use the newer Volume Up, Volume Down, Side sequence on an iPhone 7.
📟 Force Restart iPhone 6s, iPhone SE 1st Generation, and Earlier
Older iPhones with a physical Home button use another combination:
- Press and hold the Home button.
- At the same time, hold the Side or Top button.
- Keep holding both buttons.
- Release them when the Apple logo appears.
Apple says this takes around 10 seconds.
If the screen stays black, follow the charging checks later in this guide.
📵 If Only One App Is Frozen
If one app stops responding but the rest of the iPhone still works, you usually do not need to force restart the whole phone.
Apple recommends closing and reopening the problem app first. If that does not fix it, restart the iPhone. You can then check for app and iOS updates.
This saves you from using a force restart for a problem that affects only one app.
❄️ When Should You Use a Force Restart?
Use a force restart when:
- the whole screen is frozen
- touch does not respond
- the iPhone cannot be turned off normally
- the device becomes fully unresponsive
Apple recommends force restart when an iPhone does not respond and you cannot turn it off and back on normally.
If the phone still responds, use a normal restart first.
⚖️ Restart vs. Force Restart vs. Reset All Settings vs. Factory Reset
These actions sound similar, but the results are very different.
| Method | Best Use | Deletes Personal Content? |
|---|---|---|
| Normal restart | Phone still responds | No |
| Force restart | Phone is frozen or unresponsive | No |
| Reset All Settings | Some settings problems | No |
| Factory reset | Erase the phone completely | Yes |
Swipe sideways to view the full table on smaller screens.
🔄 Normal Restart
A normal restart turns the iPhone off and back on.
Use it when the phone still responds but a temporary software problem causes strange behavior.
🧊 Force Restart
A force restart is for an iPhone that does not respond to normal shutdown controls.
It restarts the device without using the onscreen slider.
⚙️ Reset All Settings
Reset All Settings returns many device settings to their defaults without deleting your personal media.
Apple says photos, videos, music, apps, app data, messages, contacts, documents, files, and downloaded content stay on the iPhone. It does reset items such as Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, Apple Pay cards, Face ID settings, Touch ID settings, privacy settings, and other preferences.
Apple recommends restarting first for some Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other system problems. Reset All Settings is a later option if restarting does not help.
🗑️ Factory Reset
A factory reset is very different from restarting.
Erase All Content and Settings removes the personal information, content, and settings stored on the iPhone. Use this option only when you actually want to wipe the device, such as before selling or giving it away.
Back up the iPhone first if you want to keep a copy of your data.
| Action | Best Use | Personal Data | Main Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal restart | Phone still responds | Kept | Turns the iPhone off and back on |
| Force restart | Phone is frozen or unresponsive | Kept | Restarts without using the shutdown slider |
| Reset All Settings | Some settings problems | Personal media kept | Returns many settings and connections to defaults |
| Factory reset | Erase the phone or prepare it for sale | Erased | Removes content and settings |
🔐 Does Restarting an iPhone Delete Anything?
No. A normal restart does not erase the information stored on your iPhone.
A force restart also does not run Apple’s erase process. Your stored photos, apps, messages, contacts, and other personal data remain on the phone.
A factory reset is the action that removes content and settings.
That is why it helps to keep restart, force restart, and factory reset separate.
🛠️ What to Do if Your iPhone Won’t Restart
If a restart does not work, look at what the phone is doing. A black screen, frozen screen, Apple logo, damaged button, and restart loop each call for a different next step.
Start with the option that keeps your data in place.
If Restart Fails, Follow This Order
Make sure you are using the correct sequence for your iPhone model.
Use the model-specific force-restart method if the whole phone is frozen.
If the screen stays black, follow Apple’s charging guidance before trying again.
If the phone cannot finish startup, follow the Apple recovery steps that match the screen.
If the device still will not start or a required button is damaged, repair may be needed.
🔢 Check the Button Sequence First
For iPhone 8 and later:
Volume Up > Volume Down > hold Side
For iPhone 7:
Hold Side + Volume Down
For iPhone 6s and earlier:
Hold Home + Side or Top
Do not hold all three buttons together on an iPhone 8 or later. Using the wrong sequence can make a working fix look like it failed.
⚫ If the Screen Stays Black
Try the correct force restart sequence first.
If the iPhone still does not turn on, Apple says to charge it for one hour and then try again. If a low charge battery image appears, Apple recommends checking the charging hardware and charging the phone for 30 minutes or until it starts.
If the device still will not turn on after those steps, Apple says it may need service.
🍎 If Your iPhone Is Stuck on the Apple Logo
Update and Restore Are Not the Same
Update attempts to reinstall iOS while keeping your data. Restore reinstalls iOS and erases the iPhone. Follow the Apple recovery instructions that match the exact problem on your screen before choosing either option.
Pay attention to whether a progress bar appears.
If the Apple logo stays on screen for several minutes with no progress bar, Apple’s recovery instructions may apply.
If a progress bar appears during a restore or device migration, Apple says to make sure it has not moved for at least one hour. You can then connect the iPhone to a computer and enter recovery mode.
In that stuck progress bar flow, Apple tells you to choose Update when the computer offers Update or Restore. Update installs the latest iOS without choosing the data erasing Restore option.
If you follow another recovery flow after an update attempt has already failed, Apple may direct you to Restore. Restore erases the iPhone, so follow the instructions that match the exact problem on your screen.
🔌 If Force Restart Does Not Work
Check these points before moving to recovery:
- Make sure you used the correct sequence for your model.
- Keep holding the required button long enough for the Apple logo to appear.
- Charge the phone if the screen remains black.
If the iPhone still does not start, Apple’s recovery or service instructions may be the next step.
For recovery on a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, use Finder. On macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, use iTunes. On Windows, use the Apple Devices app or iTunes where applicable.
🔘 If the Side or Volume Button Is Not Working
Check the physical button before assuming the whole phone has failed.
Remove any case or protective film that may block the button. Check around it for dirt or debris and clean the area gently with a soft cloth.
If the touchscreen still works, AssistiveTouch can give you an onscreen restart option. If the physical button remains damaged or unreliable, repair may be needed.
♻️ If Your iPhone Keeps Restarting by Itself
A phone that keeps restarting on its own has a different problem from a phone you manually restart.
If the iPhone stays usable, check:
Settings > General > Software Update
Install an available iOS update after backing up your phone.
If the iPhone cannot finish starting up, Apple’s recovery instructions may apply. Do not erase the phone as your first response to a restart loop.
🔧 If Restarting Does Not Fix the Original Problem
Restarting can help with some temporary software problems, but it cannot fix every issue.
If one app keeps failing, check for an app update and an iOS update. Apple recommends closing and reopening an unresponsive app, restarting the iPhone, and checking for updates before moving to stronger steps.
For some Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other system setting problems, Apple says to restart first. If that fails, Reset All Settings may help without deleting your personal media.
Do not move straight to a factory reset unless you have a clear reason to erase the iPhone.
✅ Quick iPhone Restart Problem Guide
Use this table if you still are not sure which section fits your problem.
| Your Problem | Start Here |
|---|---|
| Phone works but acts strangely | Normal restart |
| One app freezes | Close and reopen the app |
| Whole phone freezes | Force restart |
| Touch does not respond | Force restart |
| Side button is difficult to use | AssistiveTouch |
| Screen stays black | Force restart, then charge |
| Apple logo will not go away | Follow Apple’s recovery guidance |
| Phone keeps restarting | Check iOS and startup problems |
| You want to erase everything | Factory reset |
Swipe sideways to view the full table on smaller screens.
The right method depends on what the phone is doing now, not just on the word restart.
🤖 How AI Tools Can Help With iPhone Troubleshooting
An AI assistant can help turn technical instructions into a short checklist for your exact iPhone model.
You can tell it:
- your iPhone model
- what appears on the screen
- whether the touchscreen works
- whether the Side and Volume buttons work
- what steps you have already tried
Ask it to organize the relevant Apple supported steps in the right order.
Do not share your iPhone passcode, Apple Account password, recovery key, authentication codes, or other private login details with an AI tool.
For recovery, Restore, or erase instructions, compare the suggested steps with current Apple Support information before continuing.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🏁 Conclusion
From researching iPhone troubleshooting topics for Spotich.com, one rule has proved especially useful: start with the simplest method that matches what the phone is doing.
If the iPhone still works, start with a normal restart. If the entire device is frozen, use the correct force restart sequence for your model.
If physical buttons are difficult to use, AssistiveTouch gives you an onscreen restart option. Settings and Control Center can turn the phone off, but they do not provide a full button free restart because turning the iPhone back on normally requires the Side button.
If the screen stays black, follow Apple’s charging steps before assuming the phone needs repair. If the device remains on the Apple logo or cannot finish starting, follow the Apple recovery instructions that match what you see on the screen.
I also recommend checking current Apple guidance before using recovery mode, Restore, Reset All Settings, or any erase option. That same source checking process was used for the technical steps in this guide.
Most of all, keep restart and factory reset separate. A normal restart or force restart keeps your personal data in place, while a factory reset removes content and settings.
