Restarting your iPhone is often the quickest way to fix common problems like apps freezing, the touchscreen not responding, or slow performance. Below is a complete, easy guide on how to restart or force restart any iPhone model, from the latest Face ID devices to older models with a Home button.

Note: A restart or force restart does not erase your data. It simply turns the device off and back on.

# 1. How to Restart iPhone (Normal Restart)

Use this when your iPhone is still responding and you can use the buttons and touchscreen normally.

# 1.1 Restart iPhone with Face ID

(iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XR, X)

  1. Press and hold Side button + Volume Up or Volume Down together.
  2. When the “slide to power off” slider appears, drag the slider to turn the iPhone off.
  3. Wait about 30 seconds for it to power down completely.
  4. To turn it back on, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

More details from Apple:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201559

# 1.2 Restart iPhone with Home Button

(iPhone SE, iPhone 8, 7, 6s and earlier)

  1. Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the “slide to power off” slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
  3. Wait about 30 seconds.
  4. Press and hold the Side (or Top) button again until you see the Apple logo.

Official Apple guide:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201559

# 2. How to Force Restart iPhone (When It’s Frozen or Not Responding)

Use a force restart if:

  • The screen is frozen or black
  • The iPhone doesn’t respond to taps or button presses
  • Apps are stuck or the device is completely unresponsive

A force restart simply forces your iPhone to reboot. It does not delete your photos, apps, or data.

# 2.1 Force Restart iPhone 8 or Newer (Including Face ID models)

Covers: iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XR, X, iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen), 8, 8 Plus.

  1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
  2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
  3. Press and hold the Side button.
  4. Keep holding the Side button until you see the Apple logo, then release.

Do not hold the Volume buttons—only tap them in sequence, then hold the Side button.

Reference from Apple:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201412

# 2.2 Force Restart iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

  1. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side (Sleep/Wake) button at the same time.
  2. Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears.
  3. Release both buttons.

# 2.3 Force Restart iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st gen), and Older Models

  1. Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button together.
  2. Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo.
  3. Release both buttons.

# 3. When You Should Restart Your iPhone

Restarting can help with:

  • iPhone running slow or laggy
  • App crashes or apps freezing
  • Touchscreen not responding briefly
  • Sound glitches, Wi‑Fi, or Bluetooth acting strangely
  • Minor iOS bugs after an update

If problems keep coming back even after restarts, check for an iOS update:
Settings → General → Software Update
Guide: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204

# 4. iPhone Won’t Restart? Additional Tips

If your iPhone still won’t turn on or restart:

  1. Charge your iPhone

    • Plug it into a charger and wait at least 15–30 minutes.
    • If the battery was fully drained, it might take a while before anything appears on the screen.

  2. Try another cable, charger, or outlet

    • Faulty accessories can prevent charging and restarting.

  3. Connect to a computer and use Finder or iTunes

    • On macOS Catalina or later: use Finder.
    • On macOS Mojave or earlier / Windows: use iTunes.
    • If iTunes or Finder detects your iPhone in recovery mode, you may need to Update or Restore iOS.
      Instructions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201263

  4. Contact Apple Support

# 5. Frequently Asked Questions About Restarting an iPhone

# Does restarting my iPhone delete anything?

No. A normal restart or force restart will not erase:

  • Photos and videos
  • Messages and contacts
  • Apps and settings

It only reboots the device. Data is erased only if you choose Erase All Content and Settings or restore the iPhone via iTunes/Finder.

# Is force restart bad for my iPhone?

A force restart is safe when used correctly. It’s meant for situations when the iPhone is:

  • Frozen
  • Completely unresponsive
  • Stuck on a black or loading screen

Avoid doing it repeatedly for no reason, but using it to fix a crash or freeze is fine and officially documented by Apple.

# How often should I restart my iPhone?

There’s no fixed rule, but many users find it helpful to restart:

  • Every week or two to keep things running smoothly
  • Any time the device feels slower than usual
  • After a major iOS update

If you tell me your exact iPhone model (e.g., iPhone 13, iPhone SE 2nd gen) and what problem you’re seeing (frozen screen, black screen, stuck app, etc.), I can give you a tailored, step-by-step restart or fix for your situation.