18 May How to Turn Off iPhone (All Models Explained)

Your iPhone is smart. Very smart. But sometimes it still needs a nap. Maybe the screen is frozen. Maybe the battery is acting weird. Maybe you just want peace from pings, rings, and “urgent” group chats. Whatever the reason, turning off an iPhone is easy once you know which buttons to press.

TLDR: On newer iPhones with Face ID, press and hold the Side button and either Volume button, then slide to power off. On older iPhones with a Home button, press and hold the Side or Top button, then slide to power off. You can also turn off most iPhones from Settings > General > Shut Down. If your iPhone is frozen, you may need to do a force restart instead.

First, What Does “Turn Off iPhone” Mean?

Turning off your iPhone means shutting it down completely. The screen goes black. Apps stop running. Calls and notifications stop coming through. Your iPhone takes a tiny digital nap.

This is different from locking your iPhone. When you press the Side button once, the screen turns off. But the phone is still awake in the background. It can still receive calls. It can still buzz. It can still ruin your quiet moment.

A full shutdown is useful when:

• Your iPhone is slow.
• An app is acting strange.
• The screen feels buggy.
• You want to save battery.
• You are flying, resting, or hiding from notifications.
• You are troubleshooting a problem.

How to Turn Off iPhones with Face ID

This method works for most modern iPhones. These are the models with no Home button on the front.

Use this for:

• iPhone X
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS and XS Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 models and newer Face ID models

Here is what to do:

1. Press and hold the Side button.
2. At the same time, press and hold either Volume Up or Volume Down.
3. Keep holding until you see slide to power off.
4. Drag the power slider from left to right.
5. Wait a few seconds. Your iPhone will turn off.

That is it. No secret handshake. No tiny wizard inside the phone. Just two buttons and a slider.

Quick tip: If you press these buttons too quickly, you might take a screenshot. That is normal. Your iPhone is not judging you. Try again, but hold the buttons longer.

Why Do Newer iPhones Need Two Buttons?

Good question. On older iPhones, the Side button was mostly the power button. On newer iPhones, holding the Side button by itself wakes up Siri. So Apple changed the shutdown move.

Now you use the Side button plus a Volume button. It is like telling your iPhone, “No, Siri. Not now. We are going to sleep.”

How to Turn Off iPhone 8, iPhone SE 2, and iPhone SE 3

These iPhones have a Home button. But they also have a Side button on the right side.

Use this for:

• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone SE, 2nd generation
• iPhone SE, 3rd generation

Follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the Side button.
2. Wait for the slide to power off screen.
3. Drag the slider to the right.
4. Wait for the screen to go black.

Simple. Clean. Very button-friendly.

If Siri appears, you may have tapped instead of held. Try again. Hold the button like you mean it.

How to Turn Off iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

The iPhone 7 family also has a Side button. It sits on the right side of the phone. The shutdown process is easy.

1. Press and hold the Side button.
2. Keep holding until slide to power off appears.
3. Slide the power icon to the right.
4. Let the iPhone shut down.

The iPhone 7 Home button is not a real clicking button. It feels like one, thanks to clever vibration. But you do not need the Home button to turn the phone off.

How to Turn Off iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, and iPhone SE 1

These models also use the Side button. They are older, but still loved by many people. Some are still out there doing brave work. Texting. Calling. Playing music. Surviving drops.

Use this for:

• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE, 1st generation

Here is the method:

1. Press and hold the Side button.
2. Wait for the shutdown slider.
3. Drag slide to power off to the right.
4. Wait until the screen is fully black.

Done. Your classic iPhone is now resting like a tiny rectangle cat.

How to Turn Off iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, and Older Models

Older iPhones have the power button on the top edge. Apple moved it later because phones got bigger. Thumbs were tired. Thumbs complained. Apple listened.

Use this for:

• iPhone 5
• iPhone 5c
• iPhone 5s
• iPhone 4 and 4s
• iPhone 3G and 3GS
• Original iPhone

To turn them off:

1. Press and hold the Top button.
2. Wait until slide to power off appears.
3. Slide the power icon to the right.
4. Wait for the phone to shut down.

That is the old-school way. Very retro. Very charming.

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How to Turn Off Any iPhone from Settings

Do not want to use buttons? No problem. Your iPhone has a shutdown option in Settings. This is great if a button is broken. It is also great if you enjoy taking the scenic route.

This works on many iPhones running newer versions of iOS.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll all the way down.
4. Tap Shut Down.
5. Drag the slider to the right.

Your iPhone will turn off just like it does with the button method.

Nice bonus: This method works even if your Side button is tired, sticky, or just being dramatic.

How to Turn Your iPhone Back On

Turning it back on is even easier. You only need one button.

• For most iPhones, press and hold the Side button.
• For older iPhones, press and hold the Top button.
• Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
• Let go and wait.

Your iPhone may take a little time to start. That is normal. It is stretching. It is yawning. It is remembering all your apps.

What If Your iPhone Is Frozen?

If your iPhone is totally frozen, the normal shutdown slider may not appear. The screen may ignore your fingers. The buttons may seem useless. Do not panic. This is when you use a force restart.

A force restart is different from turning off your iPhone. It forces the phone to quickly restart. It does not erase your data. It just gives the system a firm little nudge.

Force Restart iPhone 8 or Later

This includes iPhone SE 2, iPhone SE 3, and Face ID models.

1. Press and quickly release Volume Up.
2. Press and quickly release Volume Down.
3. Press and hold the Side button.
4. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone 7 or 7 Plus

1. Press and hold the Side button.
2. At the same time, press and hold Volume Down.
3. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone 6s, SE 1, or Older

1. Press and hold the Home button.
2. At the same time, press and hold the Top or Side button.
3. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.

Should You Turn Off Your iPhone Every Night?

You do not have to. iPhones are designed to stay on for long periods. They sleep when the screen is off. They manage power very well.

But turning your iPhone off once in a while can help. Think of it like cleaning your desk. You do not need to do it every hour. But sometimes it feels great.

You may want to restart or turn off your iPhone if:

• Apps keep crashing.
• The phone feels hot.
• Bluetooth is acting silly.
• Wi-Fi refuses to behave.
• The battery drains too fast.
• The screen is laggy.

A simple shutdown can fix many tiny problems. It is the classic tech move: turn it off and on again. It works so often that it almost feels magical.

What Is the Difference Between Shut Down, Restart, and Sleep?

These words sound similar. But they are not the same.

• Sleep: The screen is off, but the iPhone is still running.
• Shut Down: The iPhone turns off fully and stays off.
• Restart: The iPhone turns off and then turns back on.
• Force Restart: A special restart used when the phone is frozen.

If you just want to stop using the phone for a bit, press the Side button once. That puts it to sleep. If you want a full break, shut it down.

Can You Turn Off an iPhone Without Touching the Screen?

Usually, you need the screen to slide the power slider. But if the screen is not working, you can try a force restart. You can also wait for the battery to run out, but that is boring and slow. Not recommended unless you have snacks.

If your screen is broken but the phone still works, you may be able to use Siri or AssistiveTouch for some controls. But for a full shutdown, the Settings method or button method is usually best.

Can Siri Turn Off Your iPhone?

On some newer iOS versions, Siri may help with shutdown commands. You can try saying, “Hey Siri, turn off my iPhone.” Siri may ask you to confirm.

Still, the button method is more reliable. Siri is helpful, but sometimes she gets ideas. Buttons are simple. Buttons do not misunderstand accents.

Common Mistakes

If your iPhone will not turn off, check these common issues:

• You tapped instead of held. Hold the button longer.
• You used only the Side button on a Face ID iPhone. Add a Volume button.
• Your case is blocking the buttons. Remove the case and try again.
• The screen is frozen. Use the force restart steps.
• The button is damaged. Use Settings > General > Shut Down.

Final Thoughts

Turning off an iPhone is easy once you know your model. Newer Face ID iPhones use the Side button plus a Volume button. Most Home button iPhones use the Side button. Very old iPhones use the Top button.

And if buttons are not your thing, go to Settings > General > Shut Down. That works for many models and feels nicely official.

Your iPhone works hard all day. It sends messages. It plays videos. It checks maps. It survives pockets, bags, couches, and mysterious crumbs. So once in a while, let it rest. Slide to power off. Enjoy the silence. Then turn it back on when you are ready for the world again.