Turning off your new Apple smartphone is not as obvious as it used to be. You might expect the button on the right side to do the job alone. However, pressing that button by itself usually just wakes up Siri. To fully shut down the device, you must use a combination of two buttons. You need to press and hold the side button along with either of the volume buttons. Hold them until a slider appears on the screen. Then, simply drag that slider to the right to turn the phone off completely.
Powering Off an iPhone 15 Tutorial
This section will guide you through the physical steps required to shut down your phone. It uses the hardware buttons located on the sides of the device. This is the most common method used by iPhone owners.
Step 1: Locate the side button and the volume buttons on your device.
The side button is the single button located on the right edge of the phone. The two volume buttons are found on the left edge. You can use either the volume up or volume down button for this task.
Step 2: Press and hold the side button and one volume button simultaneously.
You need to squeeze both the right button and a left button at the exact same time. Do not just click them quickly like you are taking a screenshot. You must keep holding them down for a few seconds.
Step 3: Release the buttons when the power menu appears on the screen.
You will feel a slight vibration from the phone when the screen changes. The background will blur and a slider will appear at the top. If you hold the buttons too long, an alarm might sound.
Step 4: Drag the slider that says slide to power off to the right side.
Place your finger on the power icon on the left of the slider. Swipe your finger all the way to the right side of the screen. The screen will fade to black as the system shuts down.
Once you have swiped the slider, the device begins its shutdown sequence. The screen will go completely dark within a few seconds. The phone will not ring or vibrate until you choose to turn it back on.
Tips for How To Power Off iPhone 15
- If the physical buttons are broken, you can turn off the phone through the Settings app.
- Do not hold the buttons for too long, or the Emergency SOS countdown will begin.
- You can also ask Siri to turn off your phone by saying โSiri, power off my iPhone.โ
- Wait at least thirty seconds after the screen goes black before trying to turn it back on.
- A standard power off is different from a force restart, which is used when the screen is frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Siri open when I press the power button?
Apple changed the function of the side button several years ago. It now acts as a trigger for Siri or Apple Pay. You must add a volume button to the mix to tell the phone you want to shut down.
Can I turn off the phone without using the side buttons?
Yes, you can use the software menu to do this. Open the Settings app and tap on General. Scroll to the very bottom of the list to find the Shut Down option.
What if my screen is frozen and I cannot swipe the slider?
You will need to perform a force restart if the touch screen is not working. Press volume up quickly, then volume down quickly. Then hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
Will my alarm still go off if the iPhone 15 is powered down?
No, the alarm will not sound if the phone is completely turned off. The phone must be on for the clock app to function. Make sure you have enough battery left if you need an alarm.
How do I turn the iPhone 15 back on?
Turning it on is much simpler than turning it off. Just press and hold the side button on the right. Keep holding it until the white Apple logo appears on the screen.
Summary
- Find side and volume buttons.
- Hold side and volume buttons.
- Release when slider appears.
- Swipe slider to right.
Conclusion
Smartphones have become incredibly complex over the last decade. We used to just press a single button to turn things on or off. Now, buttons have multiple jobs depending on how long you hold them. This can be confusing for new users or people upgrading from much older models. It serves a purpose, though. It prevents you from accidentally turning off your phone in your pocket.
Mastering these simple hardware commands gives you better control over your technology. It helps you troubleshoot issues when apps start acting strange. A quick restart is often the best cure for a slow phone. It clears out the temporary memory and gives the processor a fresh start. Think of it like a good nightโs sleep for your device.
You should now feel confident in managing the power state of your device. Whether you use the buttons or the settings menu, the result is the same. Knowing how to power off iPhone 15 is a fundamental skill for any owner. It ensures you can save battery life when you are away from a charger. It also helps you maintain the health of your device over the long run. Remember these steps the next time your screen freezes or your battery gets low. Taking care of your phone ensures it will take care of you.

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.