How to Do an Emergency Reset on iPhone

Everyone · How-to · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Do You Need Before Starting an Emergency Reset on Your iPhone?

Before attempting an emergency reset, make sure your iPhone has enough battery power to complete the process or connect it to a charger. A sudden power loss during a reset can complicate recovery. Identify your iPhone model because different models require distinct button sequences for the reset. For example, an iPhone 11 uses different buttons than an iPhone 6s. If you’re unsure, check the model on the back of the phone or in the Settings app under General > About > Model Name.

Additionally, regularly backing up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer is a good habit. Although a force restart will not erase your data, unexpected situations can lead to data loss. Prepare by saving any open documents or important info when your phone is still responsive.

Also, be aware that an emergency reset is a troubleshooting step for temporary software freezes and unresponsiveness—it is not a fix for hardware damage or deeper software corruption. If your iPhone has physical damage or liquid exposure, you might need professional help instead.

How Do You Perform an Emergency Reset on Different iPhone Models?

Performing an emergency reset involves pressing hardware buttons in a specific order to force your iPhone to reboot. The exact sequence depends on your iPhone model:

1. For iPhone 8 and newer (including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation): Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release.

1. For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Side button simultaneously. Hold until the Apple logo appears, then release both buttons.

1. For iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation), and earlier: Press and hold both the Home button and the Side (or Top) button simultaneously. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release both.

Why This Works

The force restart interrupts the phone’s frozen or unresponsive state by cutting power to the software and forcing the hardware to reboot. This does not erase any content or settings but simply reboots the system forcibly.

Step-by-Step Example for iPhone 12

If you have an iPhone 12 that freezes:

• Press Volume Up → release immediately.
• Press Volume Down → release immediately.
• Hold the Side button for up to 20 seconds.
• When the Apple logo appears, release the button.

Your phone will restart normally and should respond to input after a moment.

How Can You Tell the Emergency Reset Worked?

You can confirm a successful emergency reset by observing your iPhone’s screen behavior. Once you hold the required buttons, the screen should first go black, indicating the device is shutting down forcibly. After a few seconds, the Apple logo will appear on the screen. This is the universal indicator that your iPhone is restarting.

After the Apple logo shows, release all buttons and wait patiently. The phone will take a few seconds to fully reboot. Eventually, you will see the lock screen or home screen as usual. The touchscreen and buttons should respond normally after reboot.

If your iPhone sticks on the Apple logo for more than a minute or reboots repeatedly without reaching the home screen, the reset might not have fixed the issue. In such cases, further troubleshooting or professional help may be necessary.

What Should You Do If the Emergency Reset Doesn’t Work?

If your iPhone remains unresponsive or frozen even after trying the emergency reset, try these additional steps:

• Connect to a Computer: Use a Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC with iTunes installed. Check if the computer recognizes the device.
• Enter Recovery Mode: Depending on your model, you can put your iPhone into recovery mode to restore or update it via iTunes/Finder. This mode allows you to reinstall the iOS system without erasing data if you choose the update option.
• Use DFU Mode: Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode is more advanced and can restore your iPhone from any state, but it erases all content. Use this only if you’ve backed up or accept data loss.
• Check Hardware: Ensure your charger and cable work properly to rule out power issues.
• Contact Support: If none of these steps work, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple-authorized service provider.

Step-by-Step to Enter Recovery Mode (iPhone 8 and Later)

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Quickly press and release Volume Up.
3. Quickly press and release Volume Down.
4. Press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears (showing the cable pointing to a computer).
5. Open iTunes or Finder and select your device to update or restore.

How Is an Emergency Reset Different From a Regular Restart or Shutdown?

A regular restart or shutdown involves turning off the iPhone using the touchscreen commands or pressing and holding buttons to power off normally. This method allows all running apps and processes to close gracefully.

An emergency reset, or force restart, is a hardware-level reboot that forces the phone to power off and restart without waiting for software to close apps or save data. It’s used exclusively when the phone freezes, becomes unresponsive, or when a normal restart isn’t possible.

This reset does not erase any personal data, apps, or settings unlike a factory reset or system restore. It simply forces the phone’s power cycle to clear temporary glitches or crashes.

Why Might You Need to Perform an Emergency Reset?

You may need an emergency reset if your iPhone:

• Freezes on a screen and does not respond to touch or button presses.
• Shows a black or frozen screen during use.
• Is stuck on the Apple logo or loading screen.
• Has apps or processes that have crashed and won’t close normally.
• Stops responding after an iOS update or app installation.

Performing the reset can often restore normal operation without data loss. For example, if your iPhone freezes while making a call or using an app, a force restart can get it working again quickly.

What Precautions Should You Take After Performing an Emergency Reset?

Once your iPhone restarts successfully, check your apps and data for any irregularities. If apps crash frequently or the phone freezes again, update your iOS software to the latest version because updates often fix bugs causing instability.

Also, avoid force restarting excessively. If you find yourself doing it more than once a month, your phone may have deeper software or hardware issues needing repair.

Keep your iPhone backed up regularly through iCloud or a computer to protect your personal information in case a full restore becomes necessary.

Finally, if you notice physical damage or battery swelling, stop using the device and seek professional evaluation promptly.

Frequently asked questions

Does an emergency reset erase my iPhone’s data?

No, an emergency reset force restarts your iPhone without deleting any data or settings. It simply reboots your device when it’s unresponsive.

How do I know which buttons to press for my iPhone model?

Your iPhone model determines the button combination. For iPhone 8 and later, use Volume Up, Volume Down, then Side button. For iPhone 7, hold Volume Down and Side button. For iPhone 6s and earlier, hold Home and Side/Top button.

Can I do an emergency reset if my screen is cracked or unresponsive?

Yes, since the reset uses physical buttons, it works even if your touchscreen isn’t responsive or the display is damaged.

What if my iPhone keeps freezing after the reset?

If freezing continues, update your iOS, uninstall problematic apps, or contact Apple Support. Persistent problems may need professional repair.

When should I use recovery mode or DFU mode instead of a force restart?

Use recovery or DFU mode when a force restart doesn’t fix issues, especially if your iPhone won’t boot normally. These modes allow system repair or reinstall but may erase data.

How often is it safe to perform an emergency reset?

You can perform emergency resets as needed, but frequent use suggests a serious problem. If your iPhone freezes regularly, seek technical help.