In this article, we will show you how to force restart iPhone for iPhone 16, 15, 14, 13, 11, X, 8, 7, 6s, and earlier models. Fix frozen screens and unresponsive apps quickly.

We’ve all been there: your iPhone freezes, becomes unresponsive, or starts acting up without any warning. It can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of something important.

But don’t panic – a force restart can often be the solution to fix these issues and get your iPhone back to working like normal.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to force restart your iPhone, no matter which model you have. It’s quick, easy, and something every iPhone user should know.

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What Is a Force Restart on iPhone?

A force restart, sometimes referred to as a hard reset, is a method used to restart your iPhone when it’s not responding to regular commands like pressing the power button. This is especially useful if your phone is frozen, stuck on a particular screen, or if the touchscreen is unresponsive.

Unlike a regular restart, which is done by turning the phone off and on via the settings or power button, a force restart bypasses the normal shutdown process. This can help your device recover from temporary software glitches, or when it’s simply frozen and won’t respond to any input.

Why Do You Need to Force Restart Your iPhone?

You might need to force restart your iPhone in the following situations:

• Frozen screen: The iPhone screen is stuck and unresponsive to touch or gestures.

• App crashes: Certain apps freeze and don’t open, or they keep closing unexpectedly.

• Phone becomes sluggish: Your iPhone is running extremely slow, and typical fixes (like closing apps) aren’t working.

• iPhone won’t turn off: When the phone doesn’t respond to the regular shutdown option.

Now that we know when to use a force restart, let’s dive into how to do it for different iPhone models.

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How to Force Restart iPhone 8 and Later Models (Including iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15)

For iPhone models starting from iPhone 8 and beyond, the process for force restarting is slightly different due to the absence of a physical Home button. Here’s how to do it:

Step-by-Step Guide:

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 (Power button) until the Apple logo appears on the screen, then release the button.

Your iPhone will restart, and the Apple logo should appear. This means your iPhone is in the process of force restarting. Once the phone reboots, it should be responsive again.

Important Tip:

Make sure you follow the steps in order: first, press Volume Up, then Volume Down, and finally hold the Side button. If done in a different order, it might not work.

How to Force Restart iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

The force restart method for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus is a bit different, as these models still have a physical Home button.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button (also known as the Side button) at the same time.

2. Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears on the screen, then release both buttons.

Your iPhone 7 will force restart, and the screen should come back to life.

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How to Force Restart iPhone 6s and Earlier Models

For older models like the iPhone 6s or earlier, the process is simpler since these phones also have a physical Home button.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Press and hold both the Home button and the Power button (located on the top or side of the phone).

2. Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears on the screen, then release both buttons.

This will force restart your iPhone and get it back to normal.

What to Do After Force Restarting Your iPhone

Once your iPhone has force restarted, check to see if the issue you were facing is resolved. In most cases, the force restart will clear any temporary software glitches or app malfunctions. However, if your iPhone continues to freeze or act strangely, there may be a deeper issue at play, and you may need to troubleshoot further.

Additional Tips:

• Update iOS: Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Software updates often fix bugs and improve the phone’s performance.

• Clear Storage: If your iPhone is running low on storage, it may start to behave erratically. Check your storage settings and free up space if needed.

• Reset Settings: If the problem persists, you might want to reset your settings without losing your data. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.

• Contact Apple Support: If none of the above methods work, it could be time to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance.

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Conclusion

Knowing how to force restart your iPhone is a valuable skill every iPhone owner should have in their troubleshooting toolkit. Whether your phone freezes, apps crash, or it’s just acting up, a force restart can often solve the problem and restore your iPhone to its normal working condition.

By following the simple steps for your specific iPhone model, you can quickly get your phone back to life. If force restarting doesn’t fix the problem, don’t hesitate to explore other options like updating your iOS, clearing up storage, or even reaching out to Apple Support for professional help.

Remember, this process doesn’t erase your data or settings, so you don’t need to worry about losing anything important. It’s a simple, safe, and effective way to troubleshoot your iPhone.

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