To unfreeze an iPhone, force restart it. On iPhone 8 and later (including every model with Face ID), quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This doesn’t erase anything. If a single app is frozen rather than the whole phone, close that app from the App Switcher instead.
Older models use a different button combination, shown in the table below. If the iPhone freezes again or won’t start, update iOS or use a computer to reinstall it.
Quick Answer
Press Volume Up, press Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Release it and wait for the iPhone to start.
Force Restart an iPhone
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the side button (on the right). Keep holding when the power-off slider appears.
- Release when the Apple logo appears, usually after 10 to 20 seconds.
Force Restart Older iPhones
| Model | Buttons |
|---|---|
| iPhone 8, SE (2nd gen) and later, all Face ID models | Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Side |
| iPhone 7 and 7 Plus | Hold Volume Down and Side (Sleep/Wake) together until the logo |
| iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen) and earlier | Hold Home and Side (or Top) together until the logo |
Apple’s force restart guide has diagrams for each model.
If Only One App Is Frozen
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle (or double-press the Home button).
- Swipe the frozen app up and off the screen.
- Reopen it. If it keeps freezing, update it in the App Store or delete and reinstall it.
If the iPhone Keeps Freezing
- Update iOS: Settings > General > Software Update.
- Free up storage: Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Aim to keep at least a few gigabytes free.
- Check the battery: Settings > Battery > Battery Health. A worn battery can cause shutdowns and freezes.
- Reset settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Your data stays; settings return to defaults.
If It Won’t Turn On or Stays on the Apple Logo
- Charge it for at least 30 minutes, then try the force restart again.
- Connect it to a computer, open Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app or iTunes (Windows), and force restart while connected, holding the side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- Choose Update to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. Use Restore only as a last resort, since it erases the iPhone.
Open the App Switcher to close a stuck app. See switching between apps on iPhone 13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a force restart delete my data?
No. It only restarts the phone.
What if the buttons don’t respond?
Make sure you press the first two buttons quickly, then hold the side button long enough, sometimes 30 seconds. If the buttons are damaged, let the battery drain, then charge and restart.
Summary
- Force restart: Volume Up, Volume Down, hold Side.
- Close a single frozen app from the App Switcher.
- Update iOS and free storage if freezes return.
- Use recovery mode Update if it won’t start.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.