Technologies

Unresponsive iPhone? How to Force Restart or Reset Your Device

Whether you have an iPhone 16 or an earlier model, here’s how to get it running again.

A frozen phone is a common (and frustrating) phenomenon, but there are ways to bring your device back to life. If your iPhone isn’t responding, and you’re not able to power it off and then on again, you can force restart it to hopefully fix the issue.

Forcing a restart is different from a normal restart. Though that’s the first thing you should try in this situation, it may not be an option with an unresponsive phone. As iPhone designs have changed over the years, so have the buttons and commands, which is why the steps for forcing a restart vary depending on the phone you have.

So, here’s how to force a restart on any iPhone, from the latest iPhone 16 to older models like the iPhone 6S.

Read more: iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 16: What the $200 Price Gap Means for You

Force a restart on newer iPhones (8 and up)

If you have an iPhone that supports iOS 16 or later (iPhone 8 and up, iPhone SE second or third generation and iPhone 16E), then you’ll want to follow these steps:

Quickly press and let go of the volume up button.
Quickly press and let go of the volume down button.
Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Then let go.

Read more: You Can Turn Off Your iPhone’s Always-On Display. Here’s How

Force a restart on the iPhone 7

The steps for what to do on an iPhone 7 are a little different. Instead:

Press and hold the volume down button and sleep/wake button at the same time.
Let go of both buttons when the Apple logo appears on screen.

Force a restart on older iPhones

If you have an older phone, like the iPhone 6 or the first-generation iPhone SE, the steps will look a little different. Here’s what to do:

Press and hold the sleep/wake button and home button at the same time.
Let go of both once the Apple logo appears on screen.

Also, good to know: How to Use the Action Button on the iPhone 16 Series and iPhone 15 Pro

Force restart FAQ

What’s the difference between force restart and regular restart?

A regular restart is a more straightforward and standard way to turn your iPhone on and off again. You’ll want to try doing this first by holding down one of the volume buttons and the side button, and dragging the power off slider. To turn your iPhone back on, hold down the side button again until the Apple logo appears. (If you have an iPhone 8 or older, just hold down the side or top button, then drag the power off slider.) If your iPhone isn’t responding to that, then you’ll want to force a restart.

Restarting versus resetting an iPhone

Resetting an iPhone is a more drastic measure that will wipe your device. You should do this before selling your iPhone or trading it in. Restarting it will just give it a refresh while keeping all your data.

Why does it differ based on iPhone model?

As Apple has changed the design of its iPhones over the years, it’s also moved around some buttons and commands. We’ve made it easy here by listing all the different ways to force a restart on your phone.

Is there another way to restart an iPhone?

Yes, you can actually set up your iPhone to restart with your voice; here’s how.

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Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube