How to Restart an iPhone Completely: A Full Guide to Every Method
Restarting an iPhone sounds simple — and often it is. But there's more than one way to do it, and what counts as a "complete" restart depends on what you're actually trying to fix. Whether your screen is frozen, an app won't respond, or you're troubleshooting a persistent software glitch, the right method matters.
What "Restarting Completely" Actually Means
There's an important distinction worth understanding before you tap anything:
- Soft restart (standard reboot): Powers the device off and back on. Clears active memory (RAM), stops running processes, and reloads the operating system. This is what most people mean when they say "restart."
- Force restart: Forces the iPhone to reboot immediately without going through the normal shutdown sequence. Used when the screen is unresponsive or the device is frozen.
- Factory reset: Erases all content and settings, returning the phone to its out-of-box state. This is a much more drastic step and isn't really a "restart" in the everyday sense — it's a full wipe.
For most situations — sluggish performance, a misbehaving app, connectivity issues — a standard restart or force restart is what you need.
How to Do a Standard Restart
The method varies slightly depending on your iPhone model, because Apple changed button layouts over the years.
iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and later (Face ID models)
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button simultaneously
- Slide the "slide to power off" slider that appears
- Wait for the screen to go dark (about 30 seconds)
- Press the Side button again to turn it back on
iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), iPhone 6s through iPhone 8
- Press and hold the Side button (right edge)
- Slide the "slide to power off" slider
- Wait, then press the Side button to restart
iPhone SE (1st generation) and iPhone 6 or earlier
- Press and hold the Top button
- Slide to power off
- Press the Top button to power back on
Restart via Settings (works on all models)
If you'd rather not use buttons: Settings → General → Shut Down
This brings up the same power-off slider. Once the phone is off, press the Side or Top button to restart.
How to Force Restart Your iPhone 🔄
A force restart is for when the screen is frozen, the phone won't respond to touch, or it's stuck in a boot loop. It doesn't erase any data.
iPhone 8, X, and all later models (including SE 2nd/3rd gen)
The sequence matters — do it quickly:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
- Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake (Side) button simultaneously
- Hold until the Apple logo appears, then release
iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, and earlier (including iPhone SE 1st gen)
- Press and hold both the Home button and the Top/Side button simultaneously
- Hold until the Apple logo appears, then release
What a Restart Actually Does (And Doesn't Do)
Understanding what's happening under the hood helps set expectations:
| Action | Clears RAM | Stops Background Processes | Erases Data | Fixes Software Glitches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Restart | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Often |
| Force Restart | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Often |
| Factory Reset | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Almost always |
A restart does not update your iOS, remove apps, clear storage, or fix hardware problems. If a bug or glitch returns after restarting, the issue is likely deeper — a corrupted app, a software conflict, or a setting that needs changing.
When a Restart Is (and Isn't) Enough
A restart is usually sufficient for:
- Apps that have crashed or stopped responding
- Bluetooth or Wi-Fi that won't connect properly
- Touch ID or Face ID acting inconsistently
- Slow or choppy performance after extended uptime
- Minor UI glitches
A restart probably won't fix:
- An app that crashes repeatedly after reopening
- iOS bugs that persist across reboots (may need an iOS update)
- Hardware issues like a failing battery, broken speaker, or damaged screen
- Storage problems — restarting frees RAM, not storage space
- Forgotten passcodes or Apple ID issues
The Variables That Affect Your Situation 🔧
How useful a restart is — and which method applies — depends on a few things specific to your setup:
iPhone model: Older devices with Home buttons use a completely different force-restart sequence than Face ID models. Using the wrong sequence simply won't work.
iOS version: Some bugs are specific to particular iOS versions. If you're on an older version and experiencing repeated issues, a restart buys time, but an update may be the actual fix.
What's causing the problem: A frozen screen from a memory overload responds well to a force restart. An app glitch that keeps recurring after reboots points to something a restart can't address alone.
How long since last restart: iPhones are designed to run for extended periods without needing a restart — but many users never manually reboot, and accumulated processes can eventually affect performance. Regular restarts (even weekly) are considered good maintenance practice by most tech advisors.
Whether your data is backed up: For a standard restart or force restart, this doesn't matter — no data is touched. But if you're considering a factory reset, your backup status is the critical variable. Restoring from an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup is very different from starting completely fresh.
The step that often determines the outcome isn't the restart itself — it's understanding why the phone is behaving the way it is, and whether a reboot is the right tool for that specific problem.