The basic power-off method for any iPhone model
To turn off your iPhone, press and hold the side button (or top button on older models) together with either volume button until the power-off slider appears on your screen. Slide the power icon to the right to shut down the phone completely. The screen will go black and the device will stop running.
On iPhone 8 and newer, use the side button plus either volume button. On iPhone 7 and earlier, hold the top button alone. On iPhone X through iPhone 11, the side button is on the right edge. On iPhone 12 and later, it is also on the right edge but the button itself is slightly different in shape.
The phone takes a few seconds to shut down after you slide the power-off control. You will see the Apple logo briefly, then the screen goes dark. Once it is off, no apps run, no notifications arrive, and the phone uses almost no battery power.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the side button plus a volume button until the power-off slider appears, then drag the power icon to the right to shut down completely.
- A powered-off iPhone stops all apps, notifications, and background activity, which is different from Sleep mode where the screen locks but the phone still runs.
- You can turn the phone back on by pressing the side button and holding it until the Apple logo appears, which takes about 10 seconds.
- Force shutdown (holding buttons for 10 seconds without sliding) is only needed if the phone is frozen and will not respond to the normal power-off method.
The difference between powering off and locking the screen
Locking your screen (Sleep mode) and powering off are not the same thing. When you lock the screen by pressing the side button once, the display turns off but your iPhone keeps running in the background. Apps can still send notifications, location services can still work, and the phone stays connected to the network.
Powering off completely stops all of that. Nothing runs. No app can send you a notification. No service can track your location through the phone. The only thing that works is the emergency call feature, which activates when you turn the phone back on and enter your passcode.
If you want the phone to stop doing anything at all — no background activity, no connectivity, no location tracking — you need to power it off, not just lock it.
What to do if your iPhone will not respond to the power button
If your iPhone is frozen and the normal power-off method does not work, use a force shutdown instead. Press and hold the side button and a volume button together for about 10 seconds. Do not slide anything — just keep holding. The screen will show a power-off slider, but keep holding past that point until the screen goes black and you see the Apple logo.
A force shutdown is harder on the phone than a normal shutdown because it stops processes without letting them close properly. Use it only when the phone is completely unresponsive and will not slide the power-off control. After a force shutdown, wait a few seconds before turning the phone back on.
If your iPhone freezes regularly, the problem is usually a buggy app, low storage space, or an old iOS version. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much free space you have — you need at least a few gigabytes free. Then go to Settings > General > Software Update to install any pending iOS updates.
Turning your iPhone back on after shutdown
To turn your iPhone back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This takes about 10 seconds. Keep holding even after you see the logo — the phone is still starting up. Release the button once the lock screen appears and you can see the time and date.
If you have a passcode set, you will need to enter it before you can use the phone. If you have Face ID or Touch ID enabled, the phone will ask you to unlock with your face or fingerprint instead. The phone will not connect to the network or load your apps until you unlock it.
When to power off your iPhone instead of just locking it
Power off your iPhone completely when you want to stop all activity — before a flight, during a medical procedure, or when you need the phone to be completely offline. Powering off also saves battery if you will not use the phone for several hours or longer.
You should also power off if you are troubleshooting a problem. Many issues — apps crashing, network problems, battery drain — go away after a full shutdown and restart. This is different from restarting, which powers off and when ready turns back on automatically, but the effect on problem-solving is similar.
If you are concerned about location tracking or data collection, powering off is more effective than locking. A locked phone can still be tracked through location services, and apps can still collect data in the background. A powered-off phone cannot do either until you turn it back on and unlock it.
Scheduled shutdown and other power options
iPhones do not have a built-in scheduled shutdown feature that turns the phone off at a specific time each day. However, you can use the Sleep Focus feature to silence notifications and limit connectivity during certain hours. Go to Settings > Focus > Sleep, then set the times you want the phone to set up Sleep Focus automatically.
Sleep Focus is not the same as powering off — the phone still runs and can receive calls from your favorites list. If you want the phone completely off at night, you will need to power it off manually before bed and turn it back on in the morning.
Some people use Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery) to extend battery life without powering off. Low Power Mode reduces background activity and limits some features, but the phone stays on and connected. It is useful when you are away from a charger but still need to receive calls and messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off my iPhone erase anything?
No. Powering off does not delete any data, apps, photos, or settings. Everything stays on the phone exactly as it was. When you turn it back on, all your data is still there. The only thing that changes is that the phone stops running.
Can someone track my iPhone if it is powered off?
No, not while it is off. A powered-off iPhone cannot send location data, connect to networks, or communicate with Apple's servers. However, once you turn it back on and unlock it, location services and Find My can work again if they are enabled in your settings.
How long can I leave my iPhone powered off?
You can leave it off indefinitely. A powered-off iPhone uses almost no battery — it may lose 1 to 2 percent of charge per month while off. If you power it off and do not turn it back on for weeks or months, the battery will still have charge when you restart it.
What is the difference between powering off and restarting?
Powering off stops the phone completely and leaves it off until you manually turn it back on. Restarting powers off and then automatically turns back on when ready. Restarting is useful for fixing problems because it clears the phone's memory, but powering off is better if you want the phone to stay off.
Does my iPhone need to be powered off regularly?
Not necessarily. Modern iPhones are designed to run continuously without needing regular shutdowns. However, powering off once a week or once a month can help clear memory and may improve performance if you notice the phone running slowly or apps crashing.