Turning off your iPhone 17 Pro is a quick process once you know the right buttons to push. You cannot simply hold the side button down anymore because that wakes up Siri. Instead, you need to press and hold the side button and the volume down button at the same time. Keep holding them until you see a slider appear on the screen. Then, just drag that slider to the right to shut down the device completely. Alternatively, you can navigate through the Settings app to find a shut down option in the General menu.
This section will guide you through the physical button combination required to power down your device. It is the most common way to shut things down when you want to save battery or restart the system.
Step 1: Locate the buttons on the sides of your device
You need to find the side button on the right edge and the volume buttons on the left edge. The side button is the one you usually click to lock the screen.
On the other side, you will feel two buttons for volume control. You specifically want the lower button, which is for turning the volume down.
Step 2: Press and hold the side button and volume down button simultaneously
Squeeze both buttons at the exact same time like you are pinching the device. You need to keep holding them down for a few seconds.
Do not let go immediately or you might just take a screenshot. Wait until the screen changes.
Step 3: Release the buttons when the power menu appears
You will see a screen that gives you a few sliding options. One slider will say “slide to power off” at the top of the display.
Once you see this, you can let go of the buttons. The hard part is done.
Step 4: Drag the power slider to the right
Place your finger on the power icon within the slider. Swipe it all the way to the right side of the screen.
This action sends the final signal to the phone to cut the power.
After you complete this action, the screen on your device will go completely black. You might see a small spinning wheel for a second or two as the system wraps up its processes. Once the screen is dark and does not respond to a simple tap, the phone is fully powered down.
Tips for how to turn off iPhone 17 Pro
- You can also turn off the phone by going to Settings, tapping General, and scrolling to the very bottom to find Shut Down.
- If your buttons are broken or stuck, use Siri by saying “Hey Siri, turn off my iPhone” to bring up the confirmation menu.
- Do not confuse the standby mode with being powered off. Standby just turns off the screen while the phone still runs in the background.
- If the phone is frozen and won’t slide to power off, you might need to perform a force restart by quickly pressing volume up, then volume down, then holding the side button.
- Turning your phone completely off once a week can help clear out minor software glitches and keep it running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just hold the side button to turn it off?
No, holding only the side button usually activates Siri on modern iPhones. You need to use the two-button combination to access the power menu.
How do I turn the iPhone 17 Pro back on?
To turn it back on, simply press and hold the side button on the right. Keep holding it until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
Does the alarm work when the iPhone is turned off?
No, your alarms will not sound if the device is completely powered down. You must leave the phone on for alarms to function.
What if my screen is broken and I cannot slide the slider?
If the touch screen does not work, you will need to perform a force restart. This involves a specific sequence of button presses that forces the system to reboot without touching the screen.
Is turning off the phone the same as a hard reset?
No, turning it off simply shuts down the operating system normally. A hard reset or force restart physically cuts the power to the hardware to force a reboot.
Summary
- Locate the side button and volume down button.
- Press and hold both buttons at the same time.
- Release buttons when the slider appears.
- Swipe the slider to the right.
Conclusion
Mastering the basic functions of your device is essential for a good user experience. Even though it seems simple, knowing exactly how to manage your device’s power can save you from frustration later. We often forget that our smartphones are actually powerful little computers that fit in our pockets. Just like a laptop or a desktop computer, they benefit from being completely shut down every now and then. It gives the system a chance to clear out temporary memory and refresh itself.
When you shut down your phone, you are also helping to preserve the long-term health of your battery. Constant background activity can drain resources even when you aren’t actively using the screen. By turning it off, you stop all that drainage completely. This is especially useful if you know you won’t be using the phone for a long flight or a movie. It ensures you have battery life left when you turn it back on.
Furthermore, knowing how to turn off iPhone 17 Pro allows you to disconnect from the digital world. We live in an era of constant notifications and pings. Turning the device off is the only surefire way to guarantee you won’t be disturbed. It is a healthy habit to practice occasionally. Whether you are troubleshooting a glitch or just need some peace and quiet, the power button is your friend. Take control of your technology rather than letting it control 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.