If your iPhone or iPad is frozen and unresponsive, you may need to perform a force restart, sometimes called a hard reset or a reboot.
Did your iPhone or iPad freeze during an update, or is it otherwise nonresponsive? Doing a quick reset can help fix the issue and save you a trip to the Apple Store! We'll teach you how to reset your iPhone and iPad, no matter what model you have. Let's get to it!
What's in This Article?
Before You Force Restart iPad or iPhone
A force restart can be a great way to fix glitches or unresponsiveness on your iPhone and iPad. However, if you do it during a software update, it could cause some issues. Before you perform a force restart, try doing a regular iPhone or iPad restart. If you cannot do this or it doesn't solve the problem, try a force restart next.
If you are looking to sell your iPhone or iPad and want to clear the data and completely reset the device, you want to read these articles on how to factory reset your iPhone and iPad. For more great advice on what to do when your Apple devices glitch or freeze, check out our free Tip of the Day. If you want to reboot your device to fix technical problems, please keep reading!
How to Reboot iPhones
There are three ways to force restart iPhones based on the model that you have. Keep in mind that not all iPhones with Home buttons can be reset using the Home button!
How to Force Restart iPhone X & Newer Models
Older iPhones could only be rebooted manually using the Home button, but newer models don’t have one. If you need to force restart iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or iPhone 13 AKA an iPhone with Face ID:
- Press the volume up button and quickly release it.
![Press the volume up button and quickly release it - hard reboot iphone x]()
- Press the volume down button and quickly release it.
![Press the volume down button and quickly release it - how to hard shut down iphone x]()
- Press and hold the side button and release it when the Apple logo appears.
![Press and hold the side button - how to reboot iphone xs max]()
How to Force Restart iPhone 8 & iPhone SE (2nd Generation)
Even though iPhone 8 and iPhone SE are older models that have Home buttons, they need to be reset using the same method as a newer iPhone. Return to step 1.
How to Force Restart iPhone 7
The iPhone 7 has completely unique steps for a reboot or force restart. Even though it has a Home button, do not try to use it to reset the iPhone 7:
- Press and hold the volume down button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously.
![Press and hold the volume down button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously - how do you do a hard reset]()
- Release both buttons once the Apple logo appears.
How to Force Restart iPhone 6 & iPhone SE (1st Generation)
To reset an iPhone 6 or a first-generation iPhone SE:
- Press the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously.
![Press the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously - cant power off iphone]()
- Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
How to Reboot iPads
Unlike iPhones, it is easier to force restart iPads and there are only two ways to it. The method depends on whether you have a Home button or not.
How to Force Restart an iPad without a Home Button
To force restart a new iPad Pro or iPad Mini, or any iPad without a Home button:
- Press the volume up button and quickly release it.
![Press the volume up button - how to restart ipad]()
- Press the volume down button and quickly release it.
![Press the volume down button - how to reboot ipad]()
- Press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears, then release the button.
![Press and hold the top button - reboot ipad frozen]()
How to Force Restart an iPad with a Home Button
To force restart an entry-level iPad or any older iPad with a Home button:
- Press and hold the Home button and top button simultaneously.
- Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
Using the force restart for iPhone and iPad makes it easier to navigate your devices when there is a glitch or a freeze. Now that our devices run mainly by touch, it can be difficult to troubleshoot when that touch element ceases to work. This method does not remove any of your information or saved items. It simply forces a reset for the iPhone or iPad. Next, we suggest reading up on other ways to fix common iPhone problems in this ultimate troubleshooting guide!
