How to Hard Reset an iPhone (All Models)

Surprising fact: over 30% of smartphone users face a frozen screen at least once a year, often at the worst moment.

If your device stalls, a quick force restart is the fastest way to get back on track without losing saved data.

This short guide gives the exact button combos by model so you can act fast. For newer models, a brief volume up, volume down, then hold the side button brings the system back once the Apple logo shows.

Older phones use paired buttons: one combo for the 7 series and another for generations with a Home key. A forced reboot does not erase content or bypass the lock screen; you still need Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode after startup.

When a normal restart won’t work: connecting to a Mac or PC and using Finder or iTunes lets you restore from Recovery Mode if the device won’t boot.

Quick wins: learn exact combos for each model.

Safety note: a force reboot keeps your data but not the lock credentials.

Before you start: what a hard reset does and when to use it in 2025

Understand the tool: A hard reset is a button-triggered reboot used when a device is unresponsive, frozen, or shows a black screen. It forces the operating system to restart without erasing saved files or bypassing security locks.

This action can end background crashes and get the system responsive again. However, unsaved work in open apps may be lost when processes stop abruptly.

• Use a hard reset if the power slider won’t appear or the touch screen won’t accept taps.
• Treat it as an emergency fix, not a permanent cure for repeated freezes; repeated use points to storage, app, or software problems.
• If the device still won’t boot, prepare to move to Recovery Mode and restore via Finder or iTunes on a computer.

Aftercare tip: Once the device returns, check for iOS updates and free up storage to reduce the chance of another crash. Security remains intact — passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID will still be required after restart.

Hard reset steps by model: the exact button presses until the Apple logo appears

“Follow the rhythm: quick taps, then a steady hold.”

Exact sequences vary by model. For models with no Home key, press volume up briefly, then press volume down briefly, and immediately hold side button until the apple logo appears.

iPhone 8 and later

Quickly press and release Volume Up, then quickly press and release Volume Down. Next, press and hold the side button until the logo appears. The release volume steps must be short taps for the sequence to register.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Press and hold Volume Down and the Sleep/Wake side button together. Keep holding both until the apple logo appears, usually within about ten seconds.

iPhone 6s and earlier

Press and hold the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons at the same time. Continue holding both until the logo appears and the device begins to reboot.

Timing tips

• Complete quick presses without long gaps, then move to a sustained hold.
• If the logo appears and the device restarts again, let it finish and sign in.
• If nothing happens, repeat the sequence and extend the hold a few extra seconds.

how do you hard reset an iphone: simple steps, safety, and what to expect

When a phone freezes, a targeted button sequence will restart the system without deleting your files. This is the fastest option when the power slider never appears and menus do not respond.

Will a hard reset erase data or bypass the lock screen?

Short answer: the process does not erase content or remove security. After the restart, Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode will still be required.

Note: unsaved edits inside apps may be lost because the system stops active tasks. That loss is limited to work in progress, not stored photos or messages.

When a hard reset is better than a regular restart

• Use it when the screen is frozen, input is ignored, or the device is stuck on a black screen and the power slider won’t show.
• If menus still work, try a soft restart via Settings > General > Shut Down or by pressing and holding side plus a volume button until the slider appears.
• When repeating the sequence, keep volume taps brief and then press hold side for a sustained interval until the apple logo appears.
• If the device is mid‑update, wait longer before interrupting unless it is clearly frozen for an extended period.

Follow the stated steps for your model: quick press hold on volume keys, then hold side until the logo appears. If problems persist, check storage, update iOS, or seek deeper troubleshooting rather than relying on repeated force restarts.

Restart, hard reset, and factory reset: the difference and why it matters

Start by knowing which restart path matches the problem—gentle power down, forced reboot, or full factory restore.

Soft restart is the least disruptive option. Press and hold the Side button with a volume key until the power slider appears, then slide to power off. Or go to Settings > General > Shut Down. This gracefully closes apps and services and preserves saved data.

Force restart handles a frozen or black screen. Use the model-specific button sequence to force a reboot. This method is stronger than a normal restart but does not erase personal files.

Factory reset erases everything and returns the device to an out‑of‑box state. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings and follow prompts. Back up first—erase actions remove photos, messages, accounts, and more.

Quick comparison

If the device won’t boot, connect to a computer and choose Restore iPhone in Finder or iTunes to reinstall iOS. For step‑by‑step erase guidance, see factory reset instructions.

Troubleshooting tough situations: locked iPhone, Recovery Mode, and broken buttons

Some recovery scenarios need a computer connection or alternative workarounds when buttons won’t respond.

Force restart a locked device: A force restart will reboot the system but will not bypass passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID. After the boot, you must unlock the device with your usual credentials.

Stuck in Recovery Mode: Connect the device to a computer with a USB cable. Open Finder on macOS or iTunes on Windows, locate the device, and choose restore iphone to reinstall iOS. Keep the cable attached until the process completes.

No working buttons: If buttons fail, use AssistiveTouch for a normal restart or let the battery drain fully, then charge to trigger a fresh boot. There is no official button-free method for a forced reboot.

Updating iOS froze? Give the progress bar extra time before interrupting. If the update is truly stuck, perform a force restart or connect to a computer and choose restore iphone if the device won’t recover.

Prevent repeat resets: backups, storage cleanup, and performance basics

Keeping your phone tidy and backed up reduces crashes and saves time later. A short routine protects important data and lowers the chance that apps will freeze under load.

Back up first: iCloud and computer-based backups before major troubleshooting

Make a current backup before any major fixes. For iCloud: go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. iCloud is fast, but storage has limits.

Use a computer tool when you have large photo libraries. Apps like AnyTrans can create full, versioned copies and schedule wireless backups so past snapshots stay safe.

Free up storage to reduce glitches and freezing

• Trim photos: remove duplicates, blurry shots, and old screenshots so caches rebuild cleanly.
• Limit background tasks: mute unneeded notifications and restrict apps that run in background.
• Keep apps and iOS updated: outdated apps often trigger hangs during heavy multitasking.
• Schedule backups: automatic copies mean less lost data when a serious issue appears.

Tip: For step-by-step cleaning guides and tweaks to extend device life, see clean up tips and advice to make older phones run like new.

Conclusion

Use the correct button sequence for your model and wait for the Apple logo; that single move fixes most freezes quickly.

Resetting iphone in an emergency should be done with the model‑specific steps and a steady hold until the logo appears. Start with a soft restart when possible, then escalate to a force restart for unresponsive behavior.

A full factory erase removes all content and belongs only after a current backup. If the device remains stuck, connect to a computer to restore via Finder or iTunes; that reinstalls iOS and often revives the system.

Keep backups current, clear storage, and update apps and iOS to prevent repeat problems. Regular maintenance keeps your device responsive and reliable over time.