A normal restart turns the phone off and on again. It is often a sensible first check for a temporary problem, but it is different from erasing the phone or changing its settings. Start here only if the screen responds; an unresponsive phone needs the model-specific force-restart instructions.
On iPhone X and later Face ID models, hold the side button and either volume button until the power slider appears. Slide off, wait 30 seconds, then hold the side button to turn it on.
Go straight to the stepsBefore you begin
Finish calls and save work where possible. Do not choose Erase All Content and Settings for a routine restart.
What you’ll need
- Your iPhone
- Your device passcode
Let’s do this
Step by step
- 01
Identify the button layout
Face ID iPhones use the side button together with a volume button. iPhone 6, 7, 8, and SE second or third generation use the side button alone. Earlier models use the top button.
- 02
Show the power-off slider
Hold the appropriate button or buttons until the slider appears, then release. Use the power-off slider rather than continuing to hold the buttons.
- 03
Turn it off and wait
Drag the slider and allow about 30 seconds for shutdown. If the phone does not respond, use Apple’s separate force-restart guidance for your exact model.
- 04
Start the phone again
Hold the side or top button until the Apple logo appears. Unlock with your passcode when requested.
- 05
Check the original problem
Try the same action that was failing. Note whether it is fixed, unchanged, or now produces a different error.
Restart, force restart, and erase are different
A normal restart follows the on-screen shutdown process. A force restart is a specific button sequence used when the phone does not respond. Erasing or resetting settings changes much more and is not a substitute for either of those actions.
If a help article mentions restoring the phone or erasing its contents, stop and make sure you are reading instructions for the actual symptom. For a minor app glitch, beginning with an ordinary restart gives you a useful result without changing unrelated settings.
What to note if the problem returns
Write down the app, the action, and the exact message. Include whether the issue started after an update, happens on one network, or affects several apps. A restart that helps for five minutes is different evidence from a problem that never changes at all.
A quick final check
- The phone has fully restarted.
- You can unlock it.
- The original symptom has been retested.
Common questions & sticking points
Does restarting erase my photos?
An ordinary power-off and power-on does not erase your saved photos or apps.
What if the screen is frozen?
Use Apple’s force-restart directions for your specific model rather than guessing a button sequence.
Sources & further reading Optional
References used to check this guide. Follow your product’s own safety instructions where its design differs.
Last source check: September 21, 2026