Phone FixHow to restart and force restart any phone
A restart fixes more phone problems than any other single step. A force restart is the same thing done with buttons, for when the screen is frozen.
Restart or force restart?
- Restart (also called reboot): the phone closes everything in an orderly way and starts again. Use it first, whenever the screen still responds.
- Force restart (hard reset in some manuals): cuts power to the system and starts it again, like holding the power button on a frozen computer. Use it when the screen is frozen, black or ignoring touch.
Neither erases anything. A force restart is not a factory reset. Unsaved work in an open app may be lost, nothing more.
Normal restart
iPhone with Face ID (X and later): hold the Side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, drag "slide to power off", wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows.
iPhone with a Home button: hold the Side (or Top) button until the slider appears, then as above.
iPhones can also be switched off from Settings › General › Shut Down, useful if a button is broken.
Android: hold the Power button (on many recent phones, Power + Volume Up, or swipe down twice and tap the power icon) and choose Restart. On Samsung phones where the side key opens the assistant, hold Side + Volume Down briefly for the power menu.
Force restart: iPhone
| Model | Buttons |
|---|---|
| iPhone 8, SE (2nd generation and later), X and all later models | Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, and let go |
| iPhone 7 and 7 Plus | Hold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake (Side) together until the Apple logo appears |
| iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE (1st generation) and earlier | Hold Home + Sleep/Wake together until the Apple logo appears |
The three presses on newer models must be done in quick succession, and the last hold can take ten to fifteen seconds. If the "slide to power off" slider appears, ignore it and keep holding.
Force restart: Android
There is no single rule, but one of these works on nearly every phone. Hold until the screen goes black and the logo appears, then let go.
| Phones | Buttons |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Hold Power for up to 30 seconds. On newer Pixels, Power + Volume Up |
| Samsung Galaxy | Hold Side (Power) + Volume Down for 7 to 10 seconds |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco | Hold Power for 10 to 15 seconds |
| OnePlus, Oppo, Realme | Hold Power + Volume Up for about 10 seconds |
| Vivo, iQOO | Hold Power + Volume Down for about 10 seconds |
| Motorola, Nokia, others | Hold Power for 10 to 20 seconds; if nothing, Power + Volume Down |
If one combination only takes a screenshot or opens a menu, keep holding past it, or try the other volume key.
If the phone will not respond to any buttons
- Charge it for 30 minutes on a known-good charger, then try the force restart while still plugged in. A flat battery is the usual reason.
- Check that a tight case is not holding a button down, and that the buttons click.
- Phones with a removable battery (rare now): take the battery out for a minute.
- As a last option, let the battery run completely flat, then charge and switch on.
When restarting helps
- The phone is slow, hot or draining fast for no clear reason.
- An app is stuck, or the keyboard, camera or notifications misbehave.
- No network, mobile data, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth after travelling or a failed connection.
- After installing or removing apps, and after system updates.
- The touch screen is frozen (force restart).
Restarting once every week or so keeps a phone running smoothly. Some phones can do it on a schedule: Samsung Settings › Battery and device care (Device care) › three dots › Automation › Auto restart.
What a restart does not fix
A fault that returns within minutes after every restart has a lasting cause: a bad app (try Android Safe Mode), full storage, a worn battery or failing hardware. Go to the page for that problem.
Other restart modes you may meet
- Safe Mode (Android): starts without downloaded apps. See Android Safe Mode.
- Recovery mode: a menu outside the normal system, used to wipe the cache or factory reset. See factory reset.
- Emergency SOS (iPhone): holding Side + Volume too long starts a countdown to call emergency services. Release the buttons to cancel.
Does a force restart delete my data?
No. Photos, apps and settings are untouched.
Is it bad to force restart often?
An occasional one is harmless. If you need it every few days, look for the cause.
My power button is broken. How do I restart?
iPhone: Settings › General › Shut Down, then plug in the charger to turn it on. Android: use the power icon in the quick settings panel, or Accessibility menu › Power.
For Android phones and iPhones. Written in November 2026 for Android 13 to 15 and iOS 17 and 18. Phone makers rename menus; use the search box in Settings if a name differs. Back up before any reset. This is an independent guide, not connected with Google, Apple, Samsung or any phone maker or operator.