Turning off an iPhone sounds simple, but the method depends on which model you have and whether the screen or buttons are working properly. Apple has changed the power-off procedure several times across different iPhone generations, and knowing the right approach for your situation can save time and frustration.
There are three primary ways to shut down an iPhone: using the physical buttons, through the Settings app, or with accessibility features like AssistiveTouch. Each method works on most modern iPhones, but some require prior setup or specific conditions to function.
This guide covers every official method for every iPhone model, including solutions for broken screens, unresponsive buttons, and frozen devices.
How to Turn Off an iPhone with Buttons
The button method is the most direct way to shut down an iPhone. For models with Face ID — iPhone X and later — you press and hold the side button together with either volume button until the power-off slider appears on screen. Then drag the slider to complete the shutdown.
For iPhones with a Home button, such as the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), iPhone 8, and earlier models, the process differs slightly: press and hold the side button (or top button on very old models) until the slider appears, then drag it.
Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears.
Best for: Most users with functional buttons and screen
Go to Settings > General > Shut Down, then slide to power off.
Best for: When physical buttons are broken or inaccessible
Enable AssistiveTouch in Accessibility, then use Device > Lock Screen > Shut Down.
Best for: Users with button damage or motor impairments
Press and quickly release volume up, then volume down, then hold side button until Apple logo appears (no slider).
Best for: When screen is frozen or unresponsive to touch
Key insights about turning off your iPhone
- All iPhone models with Face ID (iPhone X and later) use the same button combination: side button + volume button.
- The only official way to turn off without buttons is via Settings > General > Shut Down.
- For iPhones with a broken screen, AssistiveTouch or Voice Control can initiate shut down without touching the screen.
- The “without screen” method often requires prior setup of AssistiveTouch or reliance on Siri (if enabled for power off).
- No single method works in every failure scenario; users should know multiple approaches.
Snapshot: Power-off methods by iPhone model
| Model | Button Method | Settings Method | Accessibility Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, X‑Series | Hold side + volume button → drag slider | Settings > General > Shut Down | AssistiveTouch > Device > Lock Screen > Shut Down |
| iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen), iPhone 8, 7, 6s | Hold side button → drag slider | Settings > General > Shut Down | AssistiveTouch > Device > Lock Screen > Shut Down |
| iPhone 6 and earlier (with Home button) | Hold top (or side) button → drag slider | Settings > General > Shut Down | AssistiveTouch > Device > Lock Screen > Shut Down |
Apple’s official documentation confirms the button combination for Face ID models: “Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.” (Apple Support – Restart your iPhone)
How to Turn Off an iPhone Without Buttons
When physical buttons stop working — due to damage, a case that blocks them, or a hardware fault — the Settings app provides a reliable alternative. This method works on every iPhone running iOS 11 or later and requires no button presses at all.
Open the Settings app, tap General, scroll to the bottom, and tap Shut Down. A slider appears on screen; drag it to turn off the phone. The iPhone then powers down completely. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
Apple Support states: “Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General, scroll down, then tap Shut Down. Drag the slider to turn off iPhone.” (Apple Support – Turn iPhone on or off)
If your buttons are unreliable but the screen still works, the Settings method is the safest fallback. No prior setup is needed, and it works identically across all iPhone models. Consider enabling AssistiveTouch as a backup option in case the screen becomes difficult to navigate later.
What about AssistiveTouch?
AssistiveTouch places a floating on-screen button that gives access to device controls, including shutdown. To use it, first enable AssistiveTouch in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. Then tap the floating button, go to Device > Lock Screen, and hold the Lock Screen icon until the power-off slider appears. This method is particularly useful for users with motor impairments or those who find the physical buttons hard to press.
Apple notes that on iPhones with a side button, you can use the Accessibility Shortcut by triple-clicking the side button to turn AssistiveTouch on or off. On models with a Home button, the shortcut uses the Home button instead. (Apple Support – AssistiveTouch customization)
If you need to turn off AssistiveTouch itself, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and switch it off. This removes the floating gray dot from the screen. (Apple Support – Use AssistiveTouch)
How to Turn Off an iPhone Without the Screen
A broken or unresponsive screen presents a real challenge. If you cannot see the display or touch it does not register, none of the standard slider-based methods will work. However, there are still options, provided you set them up beforehand.
If AssistiveTouch was enabled before the screen broke
If you already had AssistiveTouch turned on, the floating button should still appear on screen even if other areas are unresponsive. Tap it, navigate to Device > Lock Screen, and hold the Lock Screen icon until the phone shuts down. This requires some touch functionality to still work in the area where the AssistiveTouch button appears.
Using Voice Control
Voice Control, another accessibility feature, can be used to shut down the iPhone without touching the screen. If Voice Control is enabled, you can say “Turn off device” or “Shut down.” The iPhone may still prompt for confirmation, which in some cases requires a tap, but this varies by iOS version.
Force restart (not a shutdown)
When the screen is completely frozen, a force restart is the recommended procedure. It does not fully shut down the iPhone — it reboots it immediately without the slider. The sequence for Face ID models: press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. On models with a Home button, press and hold both the Home and side (or top) buttons until the Apple logo appears. Apple’s guide confirms this method. (Apple Support – Force restart iPhone)
A force restart does not turn off the iPhone; it restarts it immediately without the slider. This means the device reboots rather than staying powered down. If you need the phone to remain off, a force restart is not a substitute for a proper shutdown.
A YouTube troubleshooting guide recommends a force restart if AssistiveTouch is not working or cannot be turned off normally: press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. The same guide suggests checking for an iOS software update under Settings > General > Software Update if AssistiveTouch is malfunctioning. (YouTube – AssistiveTouch troubleshooting)
How to Turn Off iPhone 15
The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max all follow the same procedure as other Face ID models. Press and hold the side button together with either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then drag the slider. The Settings method (Settings > General > Shut Down) works identically on these models.
How to turn off iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 11
All iPhone models from the iPhone X through the iPhone 15 series use the same button combination: side button + volume button. This includes the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and their respective Pro, Pro Max, and mini variants. No model-specific differences exist for the standard shutdown procedure across this generation.
For iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), iPhone 8, and earlier models with a Home button, the method is press and hold the side button (or top button on iPhone 5s and earlier) until the slider appears.
The main settings path is the same across all iPhone models: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. This consistency means users can rely on the same fallback methods regardless of which iPhone they own. (Apple Support – AssistiveTouch settings)
How iPhone Power-Off Methods Have Evolved
The way users turn off their iPhones has changed significantly since the original model launched in 2007. These changes reflect Apple’s hardware design shifts, particularly the removal of the Home button and the introduction of Face ID.
- 2007–2017: Top button press and slide to power off (home button models). The original iPhone and all models up to the iPhone 8 used a simple press of the top or side button to bring up the shutdown slider.
- 2017: iPhone X introduces side button + volume button combo (no home button). With the removal of the Home button, Apple introduced the simultaneous press of side and volume buttons to access the power-off slider.
- 2019: iOS 13 introduces AssistiveTouch as a standard accessibility option, giving users an on-screen button to access device controls including shutdown.
- 2020 onward: Side button remains the primary physical control across all flagship models. The Settings method continues to work on all devices running iOS 11 or later.
- 2023+: Force restart sequence remains unchanged for unresponsive screens, using the volume up, volume down, side button sequence on Face ID models.
Apple’s official restart guide confirms that the force restart procedure has remained stable across recent iOS versions. (Apple Support – Restart your iPhone)
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Turning Off an iPhone
Most shutdown methods are well documented by Apple, but some areas carry uncertainty, especially regarding alternative methods and future devices.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Button combination (side + volume) works on all iPhone models without a Home button (iPhone X and later). | Whether Siri can turn off iPhone is not officially supported in all iOS versions (Siri can say ‘shut down’ but often requires voice confirmation). |
| Settings > General > Shut Down is available on all iPhones running iOS 11 or later. | How to turn off iPhone 17 screen is not based on a released model (future/rumor). |
| Force restart does not turn off the phone; it restarts it immediately without the slider. | The exact behavior of AssistiveTouch ‘Shut Down’ may vary slightly by iOS version. |
Why Apple’s Power-Off Methods Work the Way They Do
Apple removed the home button to maximize screen space, which required a new button layout for power off. The side button and volume button combination was introduced with the iPhone X to prevent accidental shutdowns while still providing quick access to the power-off function.
The Settings method ensures a fallback when hardware buttons fail. This is particularly important for users with damaged devices or those who rely on assistive technologies. Accessibility features like AssistiveTouch and Voice Control guarantee that users with physical limitations or damaged hardware can still shut down their device.
The force restart sequence is a distinct procedure — it is not a standard shutdown and is often confused with turning off. Understanding these distinctions helps users avoid data loss and frustration, especially in emergency situations where the screen is frozen or unresponsive.
What Apple and Users Say About Turning Off an iPhone
Apple’s official support documentation provides clear, authoritative guidance on shutdown procedures. User communities also offer practical insights, particularly for accessibility-related scenarios.
“Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General, scroll down, then tap Shut Down. Drag the slider to turn off iPhone.”
— Apple Support – ‘Turn iPhone on or off’ (source)
“Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.”
— Apple Support – ‘Restart your iPhone’ (source)
“Press and hold both until the shutdown screen appears and double tap on shut down.”
— AppleVis Forum (user contribution)
If you see a gray dot on screen and it is not AssistiveTouch, Touch Accommodations may be the cause. This is a separate setting found under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations that changes how the iPhone responds to taps and swipes. (YouTube – Touch Accommodations explanation)
Mastering iPhone Shutdown: What to Remember
Knowing multiple ways to turn off an iPhone ensures you are never stuck, whether dealing with broken buttons, a cracked screen, or a frozen device. The button method remains the fastest for most users, but Settings and AssistiveTouch provide essential backups. For unresponsive screens, the force restart is the recommended fallback — though it reboots rather than powers down. If your buttons are unreliable, consider learning how to restart an iPhone (for unresponsive display) and exploring battery care tips in our iPhone battery and power management guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on an iPhone after shutting it down?
Press and hold the side button (or top button on older models) until the Apple logo appears.
What is the difference between turning off and force restarting?
Turning off shuts down the iPhone completely; force restart reboots it immediately without the slider and is used when the screen is unresponsive.
Can I turn off my iPhone using Siri?
Siri may respond to ‘Shut down’ but often requires you to confirm by tapping the screen. It is not a guaranteed method in all iOS versions.
How do I turn off iPhone 15 with buttons?
Press and hold the side button and either volume button simultaneously until the power-off slider appears, then drag the slider.
How do I turn off my iPhone without the screen working?
If AssistiveTouch was enabled beforehand, use the on-screen button to access Device > Lock Screen > Shut Down. Otherwise, a force restart is the best option.
What is AssistiveTouch and how does it help with shutdown?
AssistiveTouch adds a floating on-screen button that gives access to device controls, including a shutdown option, without using physical buttons.
How do I force restart my iPhone?
For Face ID models: press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. For Home button models: press and hold Home and side button together.
Can I use Settings to turn off my iPhone if the screen is broken?
Only if the screen still responds to touch in the relevant areas. If the screen is unresponsive, Settings cannot be navigated.
Does the method differ between iPhone 14 and iPhone 13?
No. Both use the same side button + volume button combination, the same Settings path, and the same AssistiveTouch procedure.
Is there a way to turn off iPhone without touching the screen at all?
Voice Control may allow this if enabled beforehand, but most methods require at least one tap or slider drag on screen.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.