How to Turn Your iPhone On or Off in Any Situation
Your iPhone’s power button, screen, or software can sometimes stop responding, leaving you unable to turn it on or off. Whether your power button is broken, the screen won’t work, the iPhone is frozen, or it seems completely dead, this guide will show you every possible way to power your device on or off.
How to Turn ON Your iPhone in Any Situation
1. Use the Power Button (Normal Method)
If your iPhone is functioning normally, turning it on is simple:
Press and hold the Side Button (on iPhone X and newer) or the Top/Side Button (on older models).
Release when the Apple logo appears.
If this doesn’t work, try the methods below.
2. Plug It Into a Charger (Works Even if the Power Button is Broken)
If the power button doesn’t work or the iPhone is completely unresponsive, plugging it into a charger may force it to turn on:
Connect your iPhone to a Lightning or USB-C charger.
Wait a few seconds—your iPhone should turn on automatically.
If the battery is drained, wait a few minutes for it to charge before it powers on.
This method works on all iPhones.
3. Force Restart (If iPhone is Unresponsive or Frozen)
If your iPhone won’t turn on normally, a force restart can help revive it.
Force Restart by Model:
iPhone 8, SE (2nd Gen) & Newer (iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Quickly press and release Volume Up.
Quickly press and release Volume Down.
Press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus
Press and hold Volume Down and the Side Button together.
Keep holding until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 6s, SE (1st Gen), and Older
Press and hold the Home Button and Power Button together.
Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
Use this method only if your iPhone is completely unresponsive.
4. Call or Message Your iPhone (For Older Models)
Some older iPhones wake up when receiving a call or message:
Have someone call or text your iPhone.
If the screen lights up, unlock it and restart the device.
This won’t work on newer iPhones with always-on displays, but it can sometimes help with older models.
How to Turn OFF Your iPhone in Any Situation
1. Normal Power Off Method (Using Buttons)
If your iPhone is fully functional, turn it off using:
Press and hold the Side Button + Volume Up/Down (on iPhone X and newer).
Release when the slide to power off screen appears.
Drag the slider to turn off the device.
For older iPhones, just hold the Power Button until "slide to power off" appears.
2. Use the Settings App (If Power Button Doesn’t Work)
If your power button is broken or stuck, you can turn off your iPhone through the Settings app:
Open Settings.
Go to General > Shut Down.
Slide to power off.
This works on all iPhones running iOS 11 or later.
3. Use AssistiveTouch (If You Want to Avoid Buttons)
AssistiveTouch provides an on-screen alternative to physical buttons.
Enable AssistiveTouch:
Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
Turn on AssistiveTouch—a small floating button will appear.
To Turn Off iPhone Using AssistiveTouch:
Tap the AssistiveTouch button.
Select Device > More.
Tap Restart (to reboot) or Shut Down.
Slide to power off.
If the screen is unresponsive, you’ll need a force restart instead.
4. Ask Siri to Turn Off Your iPhone (Hands-Free Method)
Siri can help turn off your iPhone without pressing any buttons.
Steps:
Say “Hey Siri” (or hold the Side Button if it still works).
Say “Turn off my iPhone” or “Shut down my iPhone”.
Confirm by tapping Shut Down when prompted.
Siri cannot turn your iPhone back on, but it’s useful for hands-free shutdowns.
5. Force Restart If the Screen is Unresponsive (Hard Reset Method)
If your iPhone is frozen and won’t turn off, a force restart is your best option.
Use the same Force Restart Steps listed above.
6. Let the Battery Drain Completely (Last Resort)
If none of the above methods work and you need to turn off your iPhone, you can:
Stop charging the device.
Let the battery drain completely.
Once the screen turns black, plug it back in to turn it on when needed.
This is not ideal, but it’s a last resort if your iPhone is completely frozen and won’t shut down.
What to Do If Your iPhone Won’t Turn On or Off
If your iPhone still won’t power on or off, follow these steps:
1. Check for Software Issues (Use Recovery Mode)
A corrupted iOS update may be preventing your iPhone from working properly. Try Recovery Mode:
How to Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode:
Connect your iPhone to a computer using a Lightning or USB-C cable.
Open Finder (on a Mac running macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (on a PC or older Mac).
Force Restart Your iPhone (using the steps above) while it’s plugged in.
On your computer, a message will appear asking if you want to Restore or Update your iPhone.
First, try "Update" to reinstall iOS without erasing data.
If that doesn’t work, choose "Restore" (this will erase the iPhone and install a fresh iOS version).
2. Check for Hardware Damage
If your iPhone was recently dropped, exposed to water, or suffered impact damage, there may be an internal issue preventing it from turning on or off.
Look for signs of water damage – If your iPhone got wet, let it dry completely before trying to power it on.
Check for screen damage – Sometimes, the screen is black, but the phone is still running in the background. Plug it into a computer to see if it’s recognized.
3. Check Your Charger and Cable (Bonus Tip)
Sometimes, an iPhone appears completely dead, but the real issue is a faulty charging cable, adapter, or port.
Try a different Lightning or USB-C cable and adapter
Plug the iPhone into a computer – If iTunes or Finder recognizes it, your screen may be the issue.
Tech It Easy Tip: Clean Your Charging Port
If your iPhone seems completely unresponsive and nothing is working, dust or lint in the charging port might be preventing the cable from making a proper connection.
Use a SIM ejector tool, toothpick, or soft brush to gently clean out the charging port.
Plug it in again and check if it responds.
If your iPhone still won’t turn on or off, contact Apple Support for professional repair. Hopefully, one of these troubleshooting methods gets your iPhone back up and running!