How to Force Restart iPhone (All Models: 13, 14, 15, X, 16, 17)

You know the panic: you tap, swipe, hold — and the screen just stares back, frozen and useless. The force restart is the only fix that works when your iPhone stops responding entirely, and this guide covers the exact button sequence for every model, what to try if your screen is black or buttons are broken, and what to do when even the force restart won’t cooperate.

Device affected: All iPhone models ·
Force restart duration: ~10 seconds ·
Data loss risk: None ·
Common trigger: Frozen or unresponsive screen ·
Apple recommended: Yes

Five key facts that cover everything you need to know about the procedure in one glance.

How do you force restart an unresponsive iPhone?

The official method from Apple Support (tier-1 source) is model-specific, but the core idea is the same: use hardware buttons to simulate a power cycle that the software can’t block. Here are the exact sequences for each generation.

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 until the Apple logo appears — this can take up to 20 seconds.

Force restart iPhone with Face ID

• 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 — this can take up to 20 seconds according to Apple Communities (user reports).

This works on iPhone X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 series, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), as confirmed by Apple Support.

Force restart iPhone with Home button

• For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Side button until the Apple logo appears (Apple Support).
• For iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation), and earlier: press and hold both the Home button and the Side (or Top) button until the Apple logo appears (Apple Support).
• For iPhone 6, 8, and iPhone SE (1st gen): same Home + Side/Top combo as above.

Force restart iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen)

These models use the Face ID sequence: Volume Up, Volume Down, then Side button — despite having a physical Home button, as documented by Apple Support.

The pattern: every iPhone made since 2017 uses the three-button dance. The only exceptions are the iPhone 7 line (Volume Down + Side) and anything older than iPhone 6s (Home + Side/Top).

For more iPhone comparisons, see our iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which Should You Buy guide.

What is a hard restart and how is it different from a regular restart?

A hard restart — Apple calls it a force restart — is a hardware-level reboot triggered by physical buttons, not through the software’s power-off slider. Apple Support (tier-1 source) explains that you use it when the screen is frozen or the device is unresponsive to touch input.

When to use a hard restart

• When the touch screen does not respond to taps or swipes (Apple Support).
• When the device is stuck on a frozen app or a black screen.
• When the normal power-off slider never appears.

For situations where the iPhone is still responsive, Apple Support advises using a normal shutdown: drag the slider to power off and wait 30 seconds before turning it back on.

Difference between hard restart and reset

There is a critical distinction that many users confuse. A force restart does not delete any data, settings, or content — it is a simple reboot. By contrast, “Erase All Content and Settings” wipes the device clean. The terms are not interchangeable. Apple Support (tier-1 source) explicitly states that force restart “does not erase your data.”

The implication: if you’re trying to clear a frozen screen, the force restart is your tool. If you’re trying to factory reset to sell or fix a software issue, you need the separate Erase All Content path in Settings.

How to force restart specific iPhone models (iPhone 13, 14, 15, X, etc.)

Here is the model-by-model breakdown so you can find your exact device without guessing.

iPhone 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 series

All of these use the Face ID sequence: Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Side button until Apple logo. Apple Support (tier-1 source) confirms this works for every model with a notch or Dynamic Island, regardless of iOS version.

Some users on Apple Communities (user reports) note that the logo may take 15–20 seconds on the iPhone 14 Pro — patience is key.

iPhone 13 series

Same Face ID sequence. Apple Support does not differentiate between 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, or 13 Pro Max — all use the same three-button combo.

iPhone X and XS/XR

These were the first generation to adopt the Face ID sequence. Apple Support (tier-1 source) lists them alongside the iPhone 8, which is why many guides bundle them together.

iPhone 8 and earlier

iPhone 8: Face ID sequence (Volume Up, Volume Down, Side). iPhone 7: Volume Down + Side. iPhone 6s and earlier: Home + Side/Top. The breakdown is consistent with iDownloadBlog (tech publication) and matches Apple’s official documentation.

How to force restart an iPhone without using the power button or when the screen is frozen?

If the Side or Top button is broken, or the screen is so frozen that you cannot confirm button presses, you still have options — though they have real limits.

Using AssistiveTouch to simulate button presses

Enable AssistiveTouch in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. This places a virtual button on screen. From there, go to Device > More > Restart. Apple Support (tier-1 source) confirms this works when the screen is partially responsive but the physical buttons are unreliable.

Using a computer (iTunes/Finder)

If the screen is completely frozen and the device will not respond to any button combination, force restart via a computer is not possible. The only computer-path for an unresponsive device is recovery mode — which requires entering recovery mode first via buttons, then connecting to Apple Support (tier-1 source) guidance.

When to seek hardware repair

If none of the above works and the device has been charging for at least 15–30 minutes as recommended by YouTube tutorial (user guide), the problem is likely physical. A force restart cannot fix liquid damage, a dead battery that won’t hold charge, or broken button assemblies.

The catch: AssistiveTouch only helps if the screen still detects touch input. If it is completely dark or unresponsive, software-based alternatives are off the table — and hardware repair becomes the only viable path.

What to do if your iPhone still won’t restart after force restart?

Even a correctly performed force restart can fail if the underlying issue is not software-related. Here is the step-by-step troubleshooting path.

Check for physical damage

Inspect the device for visible cracks, liquid damage indicators (which turn red if wet), or swollen battery bulging. Apple Support (tier-1 source) notes that force restart cannot overcome hardware faults — if the logic board or battery is damaged, no button combination will help.

Try recovery mode

Connect the iPhone to a computer with a USB cable. Enter recovery mode by performing the same force restart sequence but continuing to hold the Side button past the Apple logo until the computer detects the device in recovery state. Apple Support (tier-1 source) describes this as a separate procedure that can reinstall iOS without data loss.

Contact Apple Support

If recovery mode fails or the device will not connect to a computer, Apple Support (tier-1 source) directs users to schedule a service appointment. Hardware failures — especially on newer models with soldered storage — require professional tools.

Why this matters: a force restart fails for two reasons — timing (you didn’t hold the Side button long enough) or hardware (the device has physical damage). For the first, try again with a 20-second hold. For the second, no amount of rebooting will fix it, and the sooner you get a diagnostic, the better your chance of a repair rather than a replacement.

“If your iPhone is frozen or unresponsive, you should use a force restart instead of the normal restart slider.”

— Apple Support (tier-1 source)

“The Apple logo can take as long as 30 seconds to appear during a force restart on some frozen devices.”

— Apple Communities (user report)

“If the screen won’t respond at all, charging the device for 15–30 minutes before attempting a force restart can rule out a dead battery.”

— YouTube tutorial (tech guide)

For the average iPhone owner who encounters a frozen screen a few times a year, the force restart is the simplest, safest fix available. The evidence from Apple Support and iDownloadBlog consistently points to one conclusion: it works, it’s safe, and it doesn’t touch your data. For those whose buttons are broken or whose device has physical damage, the choice is no longer about restarting — it is about acknowledging that the hardware needs professional attention.

Frequently asked questions

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