Powering down your iPhone the right way

Disabling your iPhone means shutting it down completely so it stops running and stops connecting to networks. This is different from locking it — a locked phone still runs in the background, receives calls and messages, and can be tracked. A powered-down iPhone does none of those things until you turn it back on.

The method depends on which iPhone model you have. Newer iPhones (iPhone X and later) use the volume buttons and side button together. Older models (iPhone 8 and earlier) use a single power button. Both take about 10 seconds and require no special settings or passwords.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone X and newer: hold the volume up button and side button together until the power-off slider appears, then drag the slider to the right.
  • iPhone 8 and earlier: hold the top (or side) power button until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to the right.
  • A powered-down iPhone stops all background activity, location tracking, and network connections when ready.
  • You can also disable your iPhone remotely through Find My if it is lost or stolen, which locks it and erases its data.
  • Restarting your iPhone (powering it off and back on) fixes many software problems and clears temporary data from memory.

Shutting down iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and newer models

On these models, the power button is on the right side of the phone. Hold down the volume up button (on the left side) and the side button (on the right side) at the same time. Keep holding both buttons until you see the power-off slider appear on your screen — this takes about 3 to 5 seconds.

Once the slider appears, release both buttons. You will see a message that says "slide to power off" with a red power icon on the right side of the slider. Drag that slider to the right with your finger. The phone will shut down over the next few seconds and the screen will go black.

Do not hold the buttons so long that you see "Emergency SOS" or a medical ID screen — that means you held them too long. If that happens, just release and start over.

Shutting down iPhone 8 through iPhone X

On iPhone 8 and iPhone X, hold the side button (the power button on the right edge) until the power-off slider appears. This takes about 3 to 5 seconds. Release the button once you see the slider.

Drag the slider to the right. The phone will shut down and the screen will turn black.

Shutting down iPhone 7, 6S, and older models

On these phones, the power button is on the top edge of the device. Hold it down until the power-off slider appears on your screen. Release the button and drag the slider to the right.

The phone will power down completely. This method works the same way on all older iPhones — the only difference is the button location.

Restarting your iPhone instead of powering it off

If you want to turn your phone off and back on without waiting, you can force restart it. This clears temporary data from memory and often fixes freezing, app crashes, or slow performance. A restart is different from a shutdown — the phone turns back on automatically after a few seconds.

On iPhone X and newer: hold the volume up button and side button together until you see the power-off slider, then release both buttons. when ready hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears (about 10 seconds). The phone will restart.

On iPhone 8 and older: hold the power button until the power-off slider appears, then release. when ready hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears. The phone will restart.

Disabling your iPhone remotely through Find My

If your iPhone is lost or stolen and you cannot reach it physically, you can disable it from another device using Find My. This locks the phone, prevents anyone from using it, and can erase all data on it.

Go to iCloud.com on a computer or another device and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Find My, then Find My iPhone. Select your iPhone from the list. Click "Mark as Lost" to lock it remotely, or click "Erase iPhone" to delete all data on it. The phone will be disabled even if it is turned on and connected to the internet.

This is useful if you believe someone else has your phone, because it prevents them from accessing your data, messages, or payment information. Once you mark it as lost or erase it, you can turn it back on later if you recover it — you will just need to sign in with your Apple ID again.

What happens when your iPhone is powered off

A powered-down iPhone stops all activity. It will not receive calls, text messages, or notifications. It will not connect to Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Location services stop working, so Find My cannot track it. Alarms you set will not go off.

The only way to wake a powered-down iPhone is to press and hold the power button (or power button plus volume button, depending on the model) until the Apple logo appears. This takes about 10 seconds. Once the logo appears, release the button and wait for the phone to finish starting up, which usually takes another 30 seconds.

If your iPhone is password-protected, you will need to enter your passcode after it powers back on. If you have Face ID or Touch ID set up, you can use those instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my iPhone turn back on by itself if I power it off?

No. A powered-off iPhone stays off until you physically press the power button to turn it back on. It will not restart on its own, even if you receive a call or message. This is different from a restart, which happens automatically after a few seconds.

Can I power off my iPhone if it is frozen or not responding?

Yes. If your phone is frozen and the normal power-off method does not work, force restart it instead. Hold the power button and volume button together (or just the power button on older models) for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. This forces the phone to restart even if it is not responding to normal commands.

What is the difference between powering off and locking my iPhone?

A locked iPhone still runs in the background, receives messages and calls, and can be tracked through Find My. A powered-off iPhone stops all activity and cannot be tracked or contacted until you turn it back on. Locking is for everyday security; powering off is for when you want the phone completely inactive.

Do I lose data if I power off my iPhone?

No. Powering off your iPhone does not delete any data. All your photos, messages, contacts, and apps remain on the phone. When you turn it back on, everything will be exactly as you left it.

Can someone turn my iPhone back on if I power it off?

No. Only someone with physical access to your phone can turn it back on by pressing the power button. If your phone is password-protected, they will also need your passcode or Face ID to unlock it after it powers back on.