Turning off your new Apple device might feel a little tricky at first. You might think holding the side button does the job, but that usually just wakes up Siri. To actually power down the phone, you have to press and hold the side power button and either one of the volume buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until a slider appears on your screen. Simply swipe that slider to the right. If you prefer not to use buttons, you can also go to Settings, tap General, and scroll to the bottom to find the Shut Down option.
Step by Step Tutorial for Shutting Down an iPhone 15
Getting used to the new button combinations on modern smartphones can take a minute. The old days of just pressing one button are gone. This section will guide you through the physical button method. It is the fastest way to turn off your device. I will also mention a software method just in case your buttons are acting up. Follow these simple instructions to power down safely.
Step 1. Locate the side power button on the right and a volume button on the left
You need to find the physical buttons on the edges of your phone. The power button is the large one on the right side of the handset. The volume buttons are the two keys located on the left side. You can use either the volume up or the volume down button for this process.
Step 2. Press and hold the side button and a volume button simultaneously for a few seconds
Place your fingers on the buttons you located in the previous step. Squeeze the side button and the volume button at the exact same time. You need to hold them down steadily without letting go.
Do not just click them quickly. If you just click them, you might accidentally take a screenshot instead. Keep holding them until the screen changes. You might feel a small vibration from the phone as the menu prepares to pop up.
Step 3. Release the buttons when the power off slider appears on the screen
Once the screen changes, you will see a new menu appear. This menu has a grey background and shows a few different sliding options. One slider will say slide to power off at the very top.
As soon as you see this visual cue, you can let go of the buttons. If you keep holding them for too long, the emergency siren might start counting down. Just release your grip once the sliders are visible.
Step 4. Drag the slider to the right to turn off the phone completely
Look at the top slider that has the power symbol on it. Place your finger on the white circle icon within that slider. Move your finger all the way to the right side of the screen.
The screen will begin to dim as you drag it. Once you reach the end of the track, the phone will initiate the shutdown sequence. The display will turn black almost immediately.
Step 5. Open the Settings app and navigate to General if you prefer using software
There is another way to do this if you do not want to press buttons. Unlock your phone and tap on the grey gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down a little bit until you see the option labeled General.
Tap on General and scroll all the way to the very bottom of that list. You will see blue text that says Shut Down. Tap that text to bring up the power slider menu we discussed earlier.
After you swipe the slider, your screen will go completely dark. You might see a small spinning wheel in the center for a few seconds. This indicates the system is wrapping up its processes. It usually takes about thirty seconds for the device to shut down fully. You should wait until the screen is totally black before trying to turn it back on or put it in a case.
Tips for iPhone 15 Shut Downs
- Remember that a quick press of the power button only puts the phone to sleep.
- If your screen is frozen and the slider won’t move, you might need to perform a force restart instead.
- Plugging your phone into a charger will usually turn it back on automatically if it was off.
- Be careful not to hold the buttons for too long or you might accidentally call emergency services.
- Shutting down your phone once a week can help clear out minor software bugs and keep it running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shutting Down iPhone 15
Why does Siri come up when I try to turn off my phone?
This happens because you are pressing only the side power button. On modern iPhones, the side button is programmed to wake up Siri or lock the screen. You must hold the volume button along with the side button to trigger the power menu.
Can I turn off my iPhone without using any buttons?
Yes, you can absolutely do this. You just need to go into your Settings app. From there, go to General and scroll to the bottom to find the Shut Down command.
How do I turn the phone back on after shutting it down?
Turning it on is much simpler than turning it off. You only need to press and hold the side power button on the right. Keep holding it until you see the white Apple logo appear on the black screen.
Will my alarm still go off if the phone is shut down?
No, your alarm will not sound if the device is completely powered off. The phone needs to be on for the Clock app to work. You should keep your phone on and charged if you need an alarm in the morning.
What if the touch screen is broken and I cannot swipe the slider?
If you cannot touch the screen, you cannot use the standard slide to power off method. You would need to perform a force restart. This involves quickly pressing volume up, then volume down, and then holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.
Summary of Steps
- Locate the side power button on the right and a volume button on the left.
- Press and hold the side button and a volume button simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Release the buttons when the power off slider appears on the screen.
- Drag the slider to the right to turn off the phone completely.
- Open the Settings app and navigate to General if you prefer using software.
Conclusion
Mastering the basic functions of your device is the first step to becoming a power user. It might seem silly that turning off a phone requires a tutorial these days. However, technology changes fast, and manufacturers often move features around. The removal of the home button years ago changed how we interact with our screens. This shift forced Apple to reassign what the side buttons do. That is why you now have to use a two-button combo just to access the power menu.
It is a good idea to turn your phone off every now and then. Leaving it on forever can sometimes make the software feel sluggish. A quick reboot helps clear the temporary memory. It gives the electronics a chance to cool down and reset. Think of it like getting a good night of sleep for your brain. The phone wakes up fresh and ready to handle your apps again.
Hopefully, this guide has cleared up any confusion you had. You no longer have to worry about accidentally asking Siri for the weather when you just want to save battery. You can confidently manage your device’s power settings. Next time a friend asks how to shut down iPhone 15, you will be the expert who can show them exactly what to do. Take care of your device, and 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 Bachelor’s and Master’s 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.