How to fix a frozen iPhone (when it won’t turn off or respond)

⚡️Fast fix

• A force restart is usually the quickest fix when the screen is unresponsive.
• Force restarts refresh the phone’s system without deleting apps or personal data.
• The exact buttons to push for a force restart depend on your iPhone model.

It always seems like iPhones® pick the worst moment to suddenly freeze or stop responding. No matter how much you tap the screen or press the power button, they just won’t cooperate. It’s stressful—you start to worry that your phone may never work again.

The good news is that you can probably get your phone working again with one simple process: a force restart. Freezing can happen for several reasons, from temporary software glitches to storage issues, and a force restart will often fix the issue.

At Asurion, we know because our tech experts have seen it while helping countless customers with their devices. Follow our guide on how to fix a frozen iPhone.

Force restart your device to get it moving again

A force restart shuts down your phone and restarts it, even if the screen isn’t responding. It might be all you need to get your phone working again if it’s frozen. Force restarts don’t remove your data—they simply restart your phone when your iPhone is frozen and won’t turn off.

Just make sure you follow the force-restart instructions for your iPhone model. The timing of pressing and quickly releasing different buttons matters, so proceed carefully.

Restart an iPhone 8 or later

On an iPhone 8 or later, including phones with Face ID® and the second and third generation SE phone, follow these steps on how to restart a frozen iPhone:

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side (Power) button until the screen goes black and you see the Apple® logo. This may take around 10 to 15 seconds.

These force restart steps are compatible with iPhone 15 and 16 models.

Restart an iPhone 7 or earlier

The force restart process is a little different on older iPhone 7s and earlier models. Follow these steps instead:

1. Press and hold both the Side button and the Volume Down button (iPhone 7) or the Home button and the Power button (iPhone 6s and earlier).  
2. Wait for the Apple logo to appear, which can take about 15 seconds.

Make sure you press the right button combination for your iPhone model.

Identify why your iPhone keeps freezing

Once in a while, your iPhone may freeze. A quick force restart should take care of the issue and get your phone back up and running properly.

However, if your phone continually freezes, it’s worth investigating why. Repeatedly forcing a restart on your phone is frustrating and may not be effective, so take the time to dig deeper to find the root of the issue.

When you’re asking yourself, “Why is my phone frozen again?” consider these common causes of iPhone freezing:

• Low storage: If you’re using almost all of the storage on your phone, that can create strain that causes your iPhone to freeze. Check your storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage, then troubleshoot iPhone storage to free up more space.
• Outdated iOS: Using an older version of iOS can also cause your iPhone to freeze frequently. In Settings, check for an update and, if available, download and install the newest version of iOS.
• Buggy apps: When apps are buggy, they generally just crash, but they can also make your phone unresponsive. Regularly update your apps and delete any apps that repeatedly crash.  
• Overheating: Phones can’t function properly when they get too hot. If your phone screen freezes when it's hot, let it cool down to room temperature before trying to use it again.
• Battery issues: When the battery is very low or failing, your phone may freeze. Try charging your phone or having the battery replaced by an Apple service provider.  

Connect to a computer if your iPhone is still stuck

If a force restart doesn’t work to get rid of the iPhone black screen of death, connect to a computer.

1. Plug your phone into a Mac or PC using a USB cable.
2. On an iPhone 8 or newer, press and quickly release the Volume Up, then Volume Down buttons, then press and hold the Side button to enter recovery mode.
3. On a PC, open iTunes. On a Mac, open Finder.
4. Select your phone.
5. Choose Restore.

Keep in mind that restoring the device may erase data if you don’t have a recent backup. Only use this option as a last resort before professional repair, and try to regularly back up your iPhone.