How to Turn Off Apple iPhone | Steps For All Models

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To turn off most modern iPhones (Face ID models), press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power slider appears on the screen.

Turning off your iPhone used to be a simple button press. Modern models have changed that process to accommodate new features like Siri and Emergency SOS.

If you just hold the side button on a newer iPhone, you will summon Siri instead of the power menu. This guide clarifies the exact steps for every generation.

We also cover what to do if your buttons are broken or the screen is frozen.

The Standard Method For Face ID Models

This applies to the iPhone X, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and newer series. These phones do not have a physical Home button.

Since the Side button activates Siri by default, you need a two-button combination.

  • Press and hold two buttons — simultaneously hold the Side button (right side) and either Volume button (left side).
  • Wait for the slider — keep holding until you see the screen change to the power menu.
  • Drag the slider — swipe the “slide to power off” toggle to the right.

The phone will take about 30 seconds to fully shut down.

Preventing Emergency Calls

If you continue holding the buttons past the slider screen, the phone may emit a loud alert and start a countdown for Emergency SOS. Release the buttons immediately if you only intended to shut down the device.

How To Turn Off Apple iPhone Models With Touch ID

If you have an iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd Gen), iPhone 8, iPhone 7, or earlier, the process follows the classic logic. These devices typically have a Home button.

  • Press and hold the Side button — locate the button on the right edge (or top edge for iPhone SE 1st Gen and iPhone 5).
  • Release when the slider appears — the screen will fade to the power menu.
  • Swipe to power off — drag the slider to the right.

On these models, the Side button does not activate Siri unless you adjust specific settings, so a single press-and-hold works perfectly.

Shut Down Using The Settings Menu

You might prefer a method that requires zero button presses. This is helpful if your physical buttons are sticky, broken, or if you simply prefer using the touchscreen.

iOS includes a software switch to cut power.

  1. Open Settings — tap the gear icon on your home screen.
  2. Tap General — scroll down slightly to find this menu.
  3. Select Shut Down — scroll to the very bottom of the list.
  4. Swipe the slider — the power-off slider will pop up immediately.

This method works on every iPhone capable of running iOS 11 or later. It bypasses hardware completely.

Use Siri To Power Down (iOS 16+)

If your hands are full or the phone is out of reach, you can ask Siri to handle the task. This requires iOS 16 or newer.

You must speak clearly for this to work.

  • Activate Siri — say “Hey Siri” or press and hold the Side button (or Home button).
  • Say the command — speak “Turn off my iPhone.”
  • Confirm the request — Siri will ask for confirmation. Tap Power Off on the screen or say “Yes.”

This voice command fully shuts down the device. You will need to press the physical Side button to turn it back on later.

Force Restart A Frozen iPhone

Sometimes the screen freezes. Touches do not register, and the standard sliders never appear. In this state, a normal shutdown is impossible.

You need a “Force Restart” or hard reset. This cuts power physically and reboots the system. The method varies by model.

iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd Gen), and Face ID Models

This sequence requires speed. Do not pause between presses.

  1. Press Volume Up — quickly press and release.
  2. Press Volume Down — quickly press and release.
  3. Hold the Side button — press and keep holding the button on the right.
  4. Ignore the slider — do not let go when the power slider appears.
  5. Release at the logo — let go only when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

See Apple’s official restart guidelines for visual aids if this sequence feels tricky.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

These models use a different combination because the Home button is not mechanical.

  • Hold Volume Down and Side buttons — press both simultaneously.
  • Wait for the reset — keep holding until you see the Apple logo.

iPhone 6s, SE (1st Gen), and Earlier

These older units rely on the mechanical Home button.

  • Hold Home and Side (or Top) buttons — press both at the same time.
  • Watch for the logo — release once the Apple logo shows up.

Turning Off Without Buttons (AssistiveTouch)

If your Side button is physically broken and the Settings app is inaccessible, AssistiveTouch provides a virtual button on your screen.

This feature creates a software menu that mimics hardware buttons.

Enabling AssistiveTouch

  1. Go to Accessibility — find this under Settings.
  2. Tap Touch — select AssistiveTouch.
  3. Toggle it On — a floating white circle will appear on your screen.

Executing the Restart

Once the floating button is active, you can use it to send a power-down signal.

  • Tap the floating button — this opens the shortcut menu.
  • Tap Device — looking for the iPhone icon.
  • Tap More — usually represented by three dots (skip this if you see Restart immediately).
  • Tap Restart — confirm your choice to reboot the phone.

Alternatively, you can long-press the Lock Screen icon inside the AssistiveTouch menu to trigger the standard “slide to power off” screen.

Why Your iPhone Won’t Turn Off

Users occasionally find their device stuck in a limbo state where it refuses to power down. Several culprits cause this.

Software Glitches

An app might have crashed in the background, preventing the OS from closing. The Force Restart method detailed above usually resolves this.

Case Interference

Thick or poorly fitted cases can prevent buttons from depressing fully. If button presses feel “mushy” or unresponsive, remove the case and try again.

Broken Screen Digitizer

If the physical buttons bring up the slider, but you cannot drag it, your touch sensor is likely damaged. In this scenario, the Force Restart is your only option to reboot.

When To Restart vs. Shut Down

Understanding the difference between a restart and a full shutdown helps maintain device health.

Standard Restart

A restart clears temporary cache files and closes all running applications. It fixes minor bugs, Wi-Fi connectivity issues, and slow performance.

Full Shutdown

Powering off completely puts the battery in a safe state. If you plan to store the phone for more than a few days, turn it off to preserve battery health. Storing a device at 0% charge for long periods can damage the battery chemistry.

Turning The iPhone Back On

Powering up is straightforward across all models.

Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. If the screen remains black, your battery might be drained.

Connect a charger and wait up to 15 minutes. If the device still fails to respond, inspect the charging port for lint or debris.

Final Maintenance Tips

Restarting your iPhone once a week keeps the operating system running smoothly. It clears out memory leaks from poorly coded apps and refreshes background processes.

If your Power button fails frequently, consider visiting a repair shop. While software workarounds like AssistiveTouch help, a functional power button is necessary for recovery modes and future troubleshooting.