How to restart your phone
⚡ Fast fix
- iPhone (no Home button): Hold Side + Volume Up, then slide to power off.
- iPhone (with Home button): Hold Power, then slide to power off.
- Android quick restart: Hold Power, then tap Restart.
- Shortcut method: Swipe down and tap the Power icon on supported Android phones.
Knowing how to restart your phone can help you fix nearly every phone issue, including slow performance, app crashes, connectivity problems, or a frozen screen. If you’ve been wondering, “How do I restart my phone?” the process is fortunately pretty straightforward.
At Asurion, we help millions of customers get the most out of their favorite tech. Whether you want to restart your iPhone safely or fix a phone stuck on a white screen, we have the tech tips and troubleshooting guides to solve your tech problems. Here’s everything you need to know about how to restart your phone.
How to restart an iPhone
Restarting an iPhone is straightforward. Your approach will depend on your iPhone model.
How to restart an iPhone that has Face ID (no Home button)
If you're having issues such as freezing or slowness, a simple restart can clear temporary software issues and restore normal operation:
- Press and hold either volume button and the side button
- Drag the power-off slider
- Wait a few seconds, then press the side button until the Apple logo appears
How to restart an iPhone with a Home button
- Press and hold the side button
- Drag the slider
- Press the side button again to restart
If your iPhone is frozen, use a force restart instead.
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How to restart an Android phone
On Android, restarting is similar across most devices.
Standard restart method
Press and hold the Power button, then tap Restart or Reboot.
Power + volume buttons method
Press Power + Volume Down if the assistant appears instead of the menu.
Quick setting method
- Pull down the Notification Shade
- Tap the Power icon
- Select Restart
What to do if your phone is frozen and won't restart
If your phone is frozen, you can force restart it without losing data.
How to force restart a frozen Android phone
Hold the Power button until the screen turns off, then power it back on.
How to force restart a frozen iPhone
- iPhone (no Home button): Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side
- iPhone 7: Hold Side + Volume Down
- iPhone 6: Hold Home + Power
Restart your phone without the power button
If your power button is broken:
Android:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Menu
- Enable the shortcut
- Tap it → Power Options → Restart
iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch
- Turn on AssistiveTouch
- Tap → Device > More > Restart
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FAQ
How often should I restart my phone?
Restarting once a week can help clear temporary glitches and keep your phone running smoothly.
Will restarting my phone delete anything?
No—a restart simply refreshes the system and does not erase your data.
What’s the difference between restart and reset?
Restarting reboots your device, while resetting can erase settings or all data depending on the type.
Why does restarting fix so many issues?
It clears temporary files and resets system processes that may be causing bugs or slowdowns.
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