How to Force Restart iPhone 15/14/13/12: A Complete Guide

TL;DR: To force restart iPhone 12 and later (including iPhone 15), press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. This fixes most software issues without deleting your data.

As an iPhone user myself, I know how frustrating it can be when your device freezes, becomes unresponsive, or acts strangely. Whether it’s an app that won’t close, a screen that won’t turn on, or general sluggishness, a force restart (also called a hard reset) is often the quickest and safest fix. Unlike a factory reset, it doesn’t erase your data—it just forces your iPhone to reboot cleanly.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps for force restarting iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 models, explain when you should use it, and answer common questions. Let’s get started.

What Is a Force Restart and When Should You Use It?

A force restart is a manual reboot of your iPhone that doesn’t rely on the software being fully functional. It’s useful when:

• Your screen is frozen or unresponsive
• Apps are crashing or not opening
• The device won’t turn on or off normally
• You’re experiencing unusual battery drain or overheating
• Touch input isn’t working properly

It’s different from a regular restart (which you do through Settings) and a factory reset (which erases everything). A force restart is a troubleshooting step that often resolves minor software glitches without affecting your personal data^1.

Step-by-Step: How to Force Restart iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15

All iPhone models from iPhone 12 onward use the same button combination for force restarting. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button (on the left side).
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button (just below Volume Up).
3. Press and hold the Side button (on the right side) until the Apple logo appears (usually after 10–15 seconds).
4. Release the Side button and wait for your iPhone to reboot^1.

It’s important to perform these steps in sequence and fairly quickly. If you don’t see the Apple logo after 20 seconds, release the buttons and try again.

What If It Doesn’t Work?

If the force restart doesn’t work:

• Ensure your buttons aren’t stuck or damaged.
• Try connecting your iPhone to a charger for 10–15 minutes first, in case the battery is completely drained.
• If the issue persists, you may need to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service center.

Comparison: Force Restart vs. Normal Restart vs. Factory Reset

It’s helpful to understand the differences between these common actions:

Action	What It Does	When to Use
Force Restart	Forces the device to reboot without software cooperation	Frozen screen, unresponsive apps, won’t turn on/off
Normal Restart	Gracefully shuts down and restarts the OS via Settings	Minor slowdowns, app refreshes, routine maintenance
Factory Reset	Erases all data and settings, restoring to out-of-box state	Selling the device, major persistent issues, OS corruption

A force restart is your go-to for urgent, unresponsive behavior, while a normal restart is for everyday use. A factory reset is a last resort.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve seen many users make these errors when attempting a force restart:

• Holding all buttons at once: This can trigger emergency SOS or other functions. Use the sequence: Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side button.
• Not waiting long enough: Hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo—don’t release too early.
• Using outdated methods: Older iPhones (with Home buttons) use different steps. This guide is for iPhone 12 and newer.
• Assuming it deletes data: A force restart does not erase your photos, messages, or apps.

Case Study: Fixing a Frozen iPhone 14

A friend of mine recently had her iPhone 14 freeze while using a navigation app. The screen was stuck, and the buttons weren’t responding. She thought she’d need to take it to a service center, but I guided her through the force restart process:

1. She quickly pressed and released Volume Up.
2. Did the same with Volume Down.
3. Held the Side button for about 12 seconds until the Apple logo appeared.

Her iPhone rebooted normally, and she was back to using it within a minute—no data loss, no cost. This is a typical example of how effective a force restart can be.

When Force Restart Isn’t Enough

If you’ve tried force restarting and the problem persists, consider these steps:

• Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest version.
• Check storage: Low storage can cause issues. Delete unused apps or files.
• Reset settings: Try Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset All Settings (this won’t delete data).
• Restore via computer: Use iTunes or Finder to reinstall iOS without erasing data^5.

If hardware damage is suspected (e.g., water exposure, physical drop), seek professional help.

FAQ

Will force restarting delete my data?

No, a force restart does not erase any personal data, photos, or apps. It’s safe to use whenever your iPhone is misbehaving.

My iPhone won’t turn on at all. What should I do?

First, charge it for at least 30 minutes. If still unresponsive, try force restarting. If that fails, connect to a computer and check if iTunes/Finder recognizes it.

Can I force restart an iPhone with broken buttons?

If the Volume or Side buttons are broken, you may need to use AssistiveTouch (if accessible) or connect to a computer to reboot. In severe cases, visit Apple Support.

How often can I force restart my iPhone?

There’s no limit, but frequent need may indicate an underlying issue like a faulty app or iOS bug. Investigate further if it happens regularly.

Does this work for iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) or older models?

No, iPhones with Home buttons use different steps. For those, press and hold Home + Side buttons until the Apple logo appears.

What if the Apple logo appears but the iPhone gets stuck?

This could indicate a software corruption. Try connecting to a computer and restoring iOS via iTunes or Finder.

Checklist Before Force Restarting

• Ensure your iPhone is not responding to normal touches/commands
• Confirm it’s an iPhone 12 or newer (different steps for older models)
• Remember the sequence: Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Side button
• Hold Side button until Apple logo appears (10–15 seconds)
• Be patient during reboot—it may take a few minutes

Glossary

• Force Restart: A manual reboot triggered by button presses, bypassing the software.
• Side Button: The power button on the right side of newer iPhones.
• Apple Logo: The indicator that the device is rebooting.
• Hard Reset: Another term for force restart (not factory reset).

Conclusion

Knowing how to force restart your iPhone 12, 13, 14, or 15 is an essential skill for any user. It’s a simple, safe, and effective way to resolve common software issues without losing data. I recommend bookmarking this guide or sharing it with friends and family—you never know when you’ll need it!

If you found this helpful, feel free to explore more iPhone tips on my blog. For persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center.

References

Step-by-Step Guide to Force Restarting Your iPhone

As someone who has helped countless friends and family members with their iPhones, I can walk you through the exact process I use when a device becomes unresponsive. Here's my personal step-by-step approach:

1. Assess the situation: First, I confirm the iPhone isn't responding to normal touches or commands. If the screen is frozen or black but the device feels warm, it's likely stuck in a software state that needs intervention.

2. Identify your model: I always double-check which iPhone model I'm dealing with. For iPhone 12, 13, 14, or 15 (including Pro and Pro Max variants), the process is identical. Older models require different button combinations^1.

3. Execute the sequence: I press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then immediately press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Without pausing, I press and hold the Side button (power button) on the right side^1.

4. Wait for the Apple logo: I continue holding the Side button until I see the Apple logo appear (usually after 10-15 seconds), then immediately release. The device will complete the restart process on its own, which might take a few minutes^2.

5. Test functionality: Once rebooted, I test basic functions like opening apps, making calls, and checking connectivity to ensure the issue is resolved.

Pros and Cons of Force Restarting

Through my experience, I've found that force restarting has both advantages and limitations:

Pros:

• Non-destructive: Unlike a factory reset, this doesn't erase your data, photos, or settings^4
• Quick fix: Resolves many common software glitches within minutes
• No tools needed: Can be performed anywhere without cables or computers
• Universal solution: Works across various iOS versions and iPhone models

Cons:

• Temporary solution: May not address underlying hardware issues or persistent software bugs
• Doesn't fix everything: Some problems require more advanced troubleshooting or professional repair
• Potential for confusion: The button sequence differs from older iPhone models, which can lead to user error
• No diagnostic data: Unlike proper troubleshooting through Settings, this method doesn't provide insight into what caused the issue

When Force Restarting Might Not Be Enough

I've learned that while force restarting solves most temporary glitches, some situations require additional steps:

If your iPhone continues to freeze or exhibit problems after multiple force restarts, I recommend checking for iOS updates, as outdated software can cause stability issues^5. For persistent problems, a factory reset (after backing up your data) or contacting Apple Support might be necessary^5.

In my experience, hardware issues like a failing battery, damaged logic board, or liquid damage won't be resolved by force restarting and require professional attention. If your iPhone shows physical damage or won't power on at all, skip the force restart and seek repair services instead.

Personal Tips from Experience

Having performed this procedure dozens of times, here are my personal insights:

• Timing matters: The button presses need to be quick and sequential—don't hold the volume buttons too long
• Be patient: The restart process might take longer than usual if the device was severely frozen
• Case considerations: Some protective cases can make button pressing difficult; I often remove the case to ensure proper button contact
• Prevention: Regular iOS updates and avoiding storage overload can reduce the need for force restarts

Remember that while force restarting is generally safe, it should be used judiciously rather than as a daily habit. If you find yourself needing to force restart frequently, it's worth investigating the root cause with more thorough diagnostics.