Turning off your iPhone 17 is a quick process, but it requires using two specific buttons at the same time. You cannot simply hold down the power button like on older phones because that now activates Siri. To shut the phone down, you must press and hold the Side button on the right side of the device along with either the Volume Up or Volume Down button on the left side. Keep holding them until you see a slider appear on the screen. Then, simply drag that slider to the right to power off the phone completely.
This section will guide you through the exact physical motions required to shut down your device. It can feel a bit like a secret handshake if you are used to older phones, but it becomes muscle memory very quickly. We will break down exactly where to place your fingers and how long to hold the buttons.
Step 1: Locate the Side button on the right edge and the Volume buttons on the left edge of your iPhone.
You need to get a good grip on your device to do this comfortably. The Side button is the large button located alone on the right side of the frame. The Volume buttons are the two distinct buttons on the opposite side. You can choose either the Volume Up or Volume Down button for this process, as both work perfectly.
Step 2: Press and hold the Side button and one Volume button at the same time.
Squeeze the buttons firmly and do not let go immediately. If you just click them quickly, you will accidentally take a screenshot instead of bringing up the power menu. You need to maintain that pressure for a couple of seconds. Think of it like pausing a video rather than taking a snapshot.
Step 3: Release the buttons once the slide to power off screen appears.
You will feel a small vibration or haptic feedback from the phone when the screen changes. The background will blur, and you will see a slider at the top of the display. Once you see this visual cue, you can take your fingers off the buttons. If you keep holding them for too long, you might accidentally trigger the emergency SOS countdown.
Step 4: Drag the power icon on the slider all the way to the right side of the screen.
Place your finger on the white circle with the power symbol inside it. Swipe it horizontally across the track until it reaches the end. The screen will begin to fade to black immediately. This confirms that the shutdown sequence has started.
After you complete these steps, your iPhone 17 screen will go completely dark. You might see a small spinning wheel for a second or two as the software closes down background tasks. Once the screen is totally black and non-responsive, the phone is fully turned off. It will not ring, vibrate, or receive notifications until you turn it back on.
- If you are having trouble pressing both buttons because of a thick case, try removing the case first to get direct contact with the keys.
- Do not hold the buttons for longer than five seconds after the slider appears, or you might start a loud alarm and call emergency services.
- Clean around the buttons periodically with a soft cloth to ensure no dirt or lint is preventing them from clicking down smoothly.
- If the buttons are broken or stuck, remember that you can also shut down the phone through the General section in the Settings app.
- Practice the motion a few times when you are not in a rush so that your fingers learn the position without you having to look at the device.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn off my iPhone 17 by just holding the Side button?
No, you cannot turn it off by pressing only the Side button. On modern iPhones, holding that button down activates the voice assistant, Siri. You must add the volume button to the mix to tell the phone you want to shut down.
What happens if I accidentally take a screenshot instead?
This happens often if you press and release the buttons too quickly. If you see a flash and a small image appears in the corner, just swipe that image away. Then, try the process again but hold the buttons down for a longer time.
How do I turn the iPhone 17 back on?
Turning the phone back on is much simpler than turning it off. You only need to press and hold the Side button on the right. Keep holding it until you see the white Apple logo appear in the center of the screen.
Is this the same as a force restart?
No, a force restart is different and is used when the screen is frozen. A force restart involves a sequence of clicking volume up, then volume down, and then holding the side button. The method in this article is for a standard, safe shutdown when the phone is working normally.
Will my alarm still go off if I turn the phone off?
No, your alarms will not sound if the iPhone is completely powered down. If you need an alarm for the morning, you should leave the phone on. You can use Silent Mode or Do Not Disturb if you want to stop notifications from waking you up.
Summary
- Locate the Side button and Volume buttons.
- Press Side and Volume simultaneously.
- Release buttons at the slider.
- Swipe the slider right.
Conclusion
Mastering the physical controls of your device is essential for good maintenance and battery health. While it might seem frustrating that Apple changed the method from the single-button press we used years ago, the new two-button combination prevents accidental shutdowns in your pocket. It ensures that when the phone turns off, it is because you genuinely intended to do it. Restarting your phone occasionally is actually very good for it. It clears out temporary memory and gives the operating system a fresh start. This can help fix minor glitches or sluggish performance.
You should try to shut down your phone at least once a week. It is a small habit that can extend the life of your device. Now that you know how to turn off iPhone 17 with buttons, you have full control over your technology. Do not let the lack of a home button or the new button layout confuse you. It is just a matter of squeezing the sides of the phone. If you ever find that the buttons are not responding, remember to check your case or look for the software option in your settings. Technology is meant to serve you, and knowing these simple shortcuts makes the experience much smoother. Take a moment today to practice the move so you are ready the next time you need to power down.
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.