Whether you’re facing freezing apps, unresponsive buttons, or other technical glitches, sometimes your iPhone just needs a fresh restart. But if the standard reboot isn’t doing the trick, a hard reboot (also called a hard reset or force restart) might be your solution. This method can help fix a wide range of issues, from unresponsive touchscreens to software crashes that prevent the phone from responding to normal touch gestures.
While a hard reboot is a simple process, many people are unsure about how to do it, especially since the process varies slightly depending on the iPhone model you have. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about hard rebooting your iPhone.
We’ll cover:
- When and why you should perform a hard reboot
- Step-by-step instructions for each iPhone model
- Common troubleshooting tips related to hard rebooting
- What to do if a hard reboot doesn’t fix your issue
What is a Hard Reboot (Force Restart)?
A hard reboot, also known as a force restart, is the process of forcefully rebooting your iPhone without using the typical on-screen “Slide to Power Off” option. Unlike a regular restart, a hard reboot is initiated by pressing a series of physical buttons in a specific order. It is often used to resolve issues when your iPhone becomes unresponsive, frozen, or when apps are stuck.
A hard reboot does not delete your data or settings. It simply forces the iPhone to shut down and restart, allowing any stuck software processes to be refreshed. This is useful for when apps crash, the iPhone screen becomes unresponsive, or the phone is stuck on a loading screen.
Now, let’s look at when you might want to perform a hard reboot and how to do it for various iPhone models.
When Should You Hard Reboot Your iPhone?
Here are some common situations where performing a hard reboot may be necessary:
1. Frozen Screen
If your iPhone’s screen is unresponsive to touch and buttons, you might not be able to swipe or tap anything. If the screen freezes and you cannot restart it using the normal methods, a hard reboot can be the quickest way to resolve the issue.
2. Unresponsive Apps
Sometimes apps freeze, and you might be unable to close them or switch to another app. If an app refuses to load or starts behaving erratically, force restarting your iPhone can resolve the issue and allow you to use your phone again.
3. System Crashes
If your iPhone is stuck on a black screen, the Apple logo, or a spinning wheel (known as the “spinning beach ball” in macOS), a hard reboot can interrupt these processes and get your phone back to normal.
4. No Response from Buttons or Touchscreen
If the hardware buttons on your iPhone (such as the Home or Power button) or the touchscreen are not working, a hard reboot can often reset the system and get things working again.
5. Connectivity Issues
In some cases, network issues or Wi-Fi problems may require a force restart to reset the system, especially when the normal troubleshooting steps don’t seem to work.
6. Performance Problems
If your iPhone is unusually slow, apps are crashing, or the device is lagging, a hard reboot can often help to clear out any temporary files or glitches causing performance issues.
How to Hard Reboot Your iPhone: Step-by-Step
1. iPhone 8 or Later (Including iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 Models)
With the removal of the physical Home button starting with the iPhone 8 and newer models, the method to hard reboot has changed slightly. Here’s how to do it:
Steps for iPhone 8 and Newer:
- Press and Release the Volume Up Button: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button on the left side of the iPhone.
- Press and Release the Volume Down Button: Quickly press and release the Volume Down button, also located on the left side of the phone.
- Press and Hold the Side Button: Immediately press and hold the Side Button (the power button located on the right side of the iPhone).
- Wait for the Apple Logo: Keep holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen, then release the button.
- Your iPhone will now reboot. Wait for it to restart, and you should be able to use it again as usual.
2. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
For the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the process of hard rebooting is a bit different because they don’t have the volume buttons in the same sequence as newer models.
Steps for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Press and Hold the Volume Down Button: Press and hold the Volume Down button on the left side of the iPhone.
- Press and Hold the Power Button: While holding the Volume Down button, press and hold the Power Button (also called the Sleep/Wake button) on the right side.
- Wait for the Apple Logo: Keep both buttons held down until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Release both buttons.
- Your iPhone will reboot and should return to normal functionality after the restart.
3. iPhone 6s and Earlier (Including iPhone SE 1st Generation)
For older iPhone models, like the iPhone 6s and iPhone SE (1st generation), you’ll use the Home button in combination with the power button.
Steps for iPhone 6s and Earlier:
- Press and Hold the Home Button: Press and hold the Home button (the round button below the screen).
- Press and Hold the Power Button: At the same time, press and hold the Power button (also called the Sleep/Wake button) on the top or right side of the iPhone.
- Wait for the Apple Logo: Hold both buttons until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Once the logo appears, release both buttons.
- Your iPhone will reboot and should begin working normally once it restarts.
What to Do After a Hard Reboot
Once you’ve successfully performed a hard reboot, your iPhone will restart, and most common issues should be resolved. However, if the problem persists, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps, such as updating the software, clearing the cache, or restoring the device from a backup.
1. Check for Software Updates
After performing a hard reboot, it’s always a good idea to check if there are any software updates available. Sometimes, bugs or glitches that cause your phone to freeze or become unresponsive can be fixed with a new iOS update.
To check for updates:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
2. Free Up Storage
If your iPhone is running low on storage, it can cause apps to crash or the system to freeze. To check your storage and free up space:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage.
From here, you can manage apps and files that are taking up space and delete unnecessary data.
3. Reset All Settings
If the hard reboot didn’t resolve your issue, you might want to try resetting your settings. This will reset network settings, privacy settings, and other system preferences to their default state, but it won’t delete your apps or data.
To reset your settings:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset All Settings.
4. Restore from Backup
If the issue still persists, you may need to restore your iPhone from a previous backup. You can do this either via iCloud or iTunes/Finder (on macOS Catalina or later). Make sure to back up your device first if you haven’t done so recently.
To restore from iCloud:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap [Your Name].
- Tap iCloud.
- Tap iCloud Backup, then select Restore from iCloud Backup.
To restore from iTunes/Finder:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later).
- Select your iPhone and choose Restore Backup.
Common Issues After a Hard Reboot
While a hard reboot is usually a quick and effective fix, you might experience some issues afterward. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Battery Drain
Sometimes, after a hard reboot, your iPhone’s battery may drain more quickly than usual. This can happen as the phone reboots and re-indexes various apps and files. Give it some time, and if the battery drain continues, check for any apps that might be consuming excessive power by going to Settings > Battery.
2. App Crashes
If you notice that apps start crashing after a hard reboot, it could be due to a software issue or an app bug. Try updating the app or reinstalling it.
3. Connectivity Issues
In rare cases, a hard reboot can cause network settings to reset, leading to Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity issues. If this happens, try reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network or resetting your network settings under **Settings