Sometimes your iPhone just wonโt cooperate, and you need to turn it off. But what if it wonโt turn off the usual way? Donโt worry, thereโs a forceful method to get your iPhone to shut down. Letโs jump into the steps to force turn off your iPhone.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Force Turn Off iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, itโs important to understand why you might need to force turn off your iPhone. Sometimes an app crashes and freezes your phone, or maybe the system itself is unresponsive. In these cases, a normal shutdown wonโt work. Hereโs how to do it.
Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
This initial step is quick and simple. Just press the button and let it go immediately.
Step 2: Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Similar to the first step, this is a quick press-and-release action.
Step 3: Press and hold the Side button.
This is the most important step. Youโll need to hold the Side button for about 10 seconds.
After you complete these steps, your iPhone screen should go black and then show the Apple logo, indicating that itโs restarting. This is what you want to see! It means that the force shutdown was successful and your iPhone is rebooting.
Tips for Force Turning Off Your iPhone
- Always try a normal shutdown first by holding the Side button and either volume button until the โslide to power offโ slider appears.
- Make sure to quickly press and release the Volume Up and Down buttons sequentially.
- Be patient when holding the Side button, as it can take a few seconds.
- If your iPhone is still unresponsive after the force restart, you might need to charge it or contact Apple support.
- Donโt force turn off your iPhone frequently as itโs meant to be a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my iPhone doesnโt turn back on after a force shutdown?
If your iPhone doesnโt turn back on, try charging it for at least an hour before attempting to turn it on again.
Will force turning off my iPhone delete my data?
No, force turning off your iPhone will not delete any of your data. However, any unsaved changes in open applications may be lost.
Can I force turn off my iPhone if the buttons are broken?
If your iPhoneโs buttons are broken, you can turn off your iPhone from the settings menu or seek professional repair services.
Is it bad to force turn off my iPhone?
Force turning off your iPhone is not bad if itโs unresponsive, but it shouldnโt be a regular practice. Try troubleshooting first.
Does force turning off work on all iPhone models?
Yes, the steps may slightly vary, but the process works on all iPhone models.
Summary
- 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.
Conclusion
Whether your iPhone is frozen on an app, or just being plain stubborn, knowing how to force turn off your iPhone is a handy trick. Remember, this is a last-ditch effort when all other methods have failed. Itโs always better to try a normal shutdown first, but in a pinch, this method will save the day. After completing these steps, your phone should be back up and running in no time. But if itโs not, donโt panic! There are always more troubleshooting steps to take, like charging your phone or contacting support. So next time your trusty iPhone gives you the cold shoulder, youโll know exactly how to coax it back into action.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelorโs and Masterโs degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.