How to Completely Restart an iPhone: Every Method Explained

Restarting an iPhone sounds simple — but there are actually several distinct types of restarts, and they don't all do the same thing. Whether you're dealing with a frozen screen, a sluggish app, or a more serious software issue, knowing which kind of restart to use (and how to perform it on your specific model) makes a real difference.

What "Completely Restart" Actually Means

There's an important distinction between three commonly confused actions:

• Soft restart — powers the device off and back on without erasing anything
• Force restart — forces the hardware to reboot when the screen is unresponsive
• Factory reset — erases all content and settings, restoring the device to its original state

Most people searching for a "complete restart" are looking for either a force restart or a factory reset. The right choice depends on what problem you're trying to solve.

How to Do a Standard Restart (Soft Restart)

A standard restart closes all running processes and refreshes the system. It's the right first step for minor glitches, slow performance, or app misbehavior.

iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and later (Face ID models):

1. Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button simultaneously
2. Drag the power off slider when it appears
3. Wait 30 seconds, then press the Side button to power back on

iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen), iPhone 6, 7, 8:

1. Press and hold the Side button until the slider appears
2. Drag to power off
3. Press the Side button to restart

iPhone SE (1st gen) and iPhone 5 or earlier:

1. Press and hold the Top button
2. Drag the slider to power off
3. Press the Top button to restart

How to Force Restart an iPhone 🔄

A force restart bypasses the normal shutdown process and is used when the screen is frozen, completely unresponsive, or stuck in a loop. It does not erase your data.

iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd gen), and all newer models:

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears

The timing matters — steps 1 and 2 should be quick button presses (not holds), and step 3 is a sustained hold of roughly 10 seconds.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

• Press and hold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears

iPhone 6s and earlier:

• Press and hold Home + Sleep/Wake button together until the Apple logo appears

How to Factory Reset an iPhone (Full Wipe)

A factory reset — also called "Erase All Content and Settings" — completely wipes the device. This is the most thorough form of restart. It removes all apps, accounts, photos, messages, and personal data, returning the iPhone to the state it was in when it left the factory.

When people typically use this:

• Preparing to sell or give away the device
• Resolving persistent software issues that a restart didn't fix
• Starting fresh after a major problem (e.g., serious malware, corrupted settings)

How to perform it on-device (iOS 15 and later):

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings
3. Enter your passcode if prompted
4. Confirm and wait — this can take several minutes

Important before you erase:

• Back up to iCloud or a computer via Finder/iTunes
• Make sure Find My iPhone is turned off, or sign out of your Apple ID first — otherwise Activation Lock will remain enabled, which can make the device unusable for the next owner

Using a computer (when the iPhone won't respond): If the device is stuck and can't be reset on-screen, you can use a Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes) to perform a recovery mode restore. This involves putting the iPhone into Recovery Mode using the same button sequence as a force restart, but holding the button until the recovery screen appears instead of releasing at the Apple logo.

Variables That Affect Which Method You Should Use

What Changes (and What Doesn't) After Each Restart Type

Soft and force restarts:

• Clears temporary RAM and running processes ✅
• Fixes minor software glitches ✅
• Does not delete apps, data, or settings ❌
• Does not update iOS ❌

Factory reset:

• Removes all personal data, apps, and accounts ✅
• Removes Apple ID association (if signed out first) ✅
• Does not downgrade iOS — the device keeps whatever iOS version is installed ❌
• Does not fix hardware problems ❌

The Factors That Determine Your Best Path

Which method is appropriate depends on variables specific to your situation: the iPhone model you're using (since button combinations differ), the iOS version installed, whether you have a current backup, what problem you're actually trying to solve, and whether the device is being kept or transferred to someone else.

A force restart that solves the problem for one user may be a temporary fix for another whose issue stems from a deeper software conflict — one that only a full reset and clean restore would address. And a factory reset that's routine for someone selling a phone is a significant data-loss risk for someone who hasn't backed up recently.

Understanding the difference between these three restart types is the foundation — what happens next depends on where your iPhone is, what's on it, and what you're trying to accomplish. 📱