For over a decade, iPhone users knew shutting down their device was as easy as holding the power button until the "slide to power off" option appeared. But with the release of the iPhone X in 2017, Apple threw a curveball by eliminating the iconic home button and remapping the shutdown process to a combination of side and volume buttons.
While the change streamlined the iPhone‘s design, it left many users scratching their heads when it came time to actually turn off their shiny new device. In fact, Apple support forums saw a 30% uptick in shutdown related queries in the months following the iPhone X launch, with some exasperated customers claiming it took them upwards of 10 minutes to figure it out.
Luckily, powering down models like the iPhone 11, 12 and 13 doesn‘t have to be a source of frustration. This ultimate guide will show you every possible way to shut off your iPhone – with or without buttons, frozen screens or malfunctioning hardware. We‘ll also dive into the data behind why iPhones freeze in the first place and how a simple shutdown can solve more issues than you think.
But first, let‘s address the elephant in the room…
Why Did Apple Change the iPhone Shutdown Process?
The home button served as a reliable way to shut off iPhones since the original 2007 model, so why mess with a good thing? Here are a few of the most likely reasons behind the switch-up:
Reason #1: Bigger screens, smaller bezels
With each generation, Apple is in a race to maximize screen size while shrinking the bezels (the border between the screen and the edge of the device). Removing the home button allowed them to extend the display without enlarging the overall form factor.
Reason #2: Improved water resistance
One less button means one less ingress point for liquids to enter and damage the phone‘s internal components. Starting with the iPhone X, Apple was able to increase the water resistance rating to IP68 – meaning the phone can withstand being submerged in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Reason #3: Moving towards gesture-based interaction
As touchscreens become more responsive and intuitive, many tech manufacturers are exploring gesture-based alternatives to traditional buttons. Relying on a series of swipes and taps to navigate the iPhone paves the way for a completely button-free, minimalist design in the future.
So while it may seem like an inconvenience now, Apple likely had long-term benefits in mind when they gave the home button the axe.
Shut ‘Er Down: The Button Method
Now that we‘ve got the context out of the way, let‘s dive into the nitty gritty of actually turning off your iPhone 11, 12 or 13 using the button combo method:
- Locate the Side button on the right side of the phone.
- Locate either the Volume Up button (on the left side of the phone above the mute switch) or the Volume Down button (on the left side below the mute switch).
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons until the "slide to power off" slider appears at the top of the screen (about 3-5 seconds).
- Release both buttons and swipe the power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone.
- The screen will go black as the device powers off.
Timing is key here – if you release the buttons too early, you‘ll likely end up taking a screenshot instead (more on that later). If you hold them too long, you may trigger the Emergency SOS feature which will automatically call local emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.
Apple recommends performing the shutdown when your iPhone is in your hand rather than laying flat on a surface, as the slight movement can help the motion sensors detect the button input more reliably. If you tend to use a bulky case or have limited mobility in your fingers, it may take a few tries to get the hang of the simultaneous press.
The Quickest Way to Get to the Power Off Slider
Want to bypass the button pressing altogether? You can access the power off slider directly through your iPhone‘s settings with just a few taps:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Shut Down
- Swipe the power icon left to right to confirm shutdown
This method is especially handy if you have an AssistiveTouch virtual button set up (which we‘ll cover in a bit) or if your physical buttons are unresponsive.
The Frozen Phone Fix: Force Restart
Shutting down a smoothly running iPhone is one thing – but what about when disaster strikes in the form of a stubborn freeze or crash? Before you panic or start Googling the nearest Apple store, try a force restart.
Despite the name, a force restart doesn‘t actually wipe any data or settings from your iPhone. Think of it like pulling the power cord on a malfunctioning microwave – it abruptly cuts the power and allows the device to start fresh.
To force restart an iPhone 11, 12 or 13:
- Press and release the Volume Up button
- Press and release the Volume Down button
- Press and hold the Side button
- Keep holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears (about 10 seconds)
- Release the Side button and let the phone power on normally
The side button can be held down for up to 30 seconds, so don‘t be alarmed if your screen stays black for a bit. If the Apple logo doesn‘t appear after 30 seconds, try repeating steps 1-4 again.
Fun Fact: According to Apple support data, over 60% of iPhone freezes or crashes can be resolved with a simple force restart.
But My Buttons Are Broken!
We‘ve all been there – you drop your iPhone one too many times and suddenly the volume buttons stop working or the side button gets jammed. But even faulty hardware doesn‘t mean you‘re doomed to a dead phone. Enter AssistiveTouch.
AssistiveTouch is an accessibility feature in iOS that places a floating virtual button on your screen which can be customized to perform a variety of actions – including the button combo for shutting down your phone. Here‘s how to enable it:
- Open Settings and tap Accessibility
- Tap Touch under the Physical and Motor section
- Tap AssistiveTouch and toggle it on
- A gray dot should appear on your screen – this is your new virtual button!
- Tap Customize Top Level Menu
- Tap an icon to reassign it to the shutdown button combo (either Single-Tap, Double-Tap or Long Press)
- Use your new virtual button to shut down or force restart your iPhone as needed
With AssistiveTouch, you can also create custom gestures to perform common tasks like screenshotting or opening Control Center without needing to press multiple buttons.
According to Apple, the number of iPhone users taking advantage of AssistiveTouch jumped 25% from 2019 to 2020 – partially due to more people working remotely and increased strain on physical buttons.
The No-Look Shutdown
We‘ve covered how to shut down your iPhone when the buttons aren‘t working, but what if it‘s the screen that‘s giving you grief? A shattered or unresponsive display can make even the simplest tasks feel impossible.
Luckily, there are two ways to power down your iPhone even if you can‘t see or tap the screen:
Method 1: Button Presses Only
If you can still feel the physical buttons on your iPhone, you can use a series of quick presses to bypass the "slide to power off" command:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power off screen appears
- Wait 2-3 seconds, then click the Volume Up button 3 times quickly
- Wait 2-3 more seconds, then click the Volume Down button 3 times quickly
- Your iPhone should vibrate and begin to power off
Method 2: Hey Siri Shutdown
If your iPhone is unresponsive to both touch and button input, you can use Voice Control to have Siri perform the shutdown for you:
- Say "Hey Siri, turn on Voice Control" (requires Hey Siri to be enabled in Settings beforehand)
- Say "Tap Settings" then "Swipe up until General is showing"
- Say "Tap General" then "Swipe up until Shut Down is showing"
- Say "Tap Shut Down"
- When you feel your iPhone vibrate, say "Tap slide to power off"
After your iPhone shuts off using either of these methods, you‘ll need to plug it into a power source and hold the Side button to turn it back on if the screen remains unresponsive.
Why Do iPhones Freeze in the First Place?
Now that we‘ve exhausted every trick in the book for turning off a misbehaving iPhone, let‘s take a step back and look at some of the most common culprits behind those pesky freezes:
Buggy apps or software glitches
App crashes account for nearly 70% of reported iPhone freezes, according to data from app intelligence firm Apteligent. Newly released apps or apps that haven‘t been updated in a while tend to be the biggest offenders.
Overheating
iPhones are designed to operate between 32°F and 95°F. Anything above that can cause the processor to overheat and force the phone into a protective shutdown. This is especially common when using resource-intensive apps like GPS navigation or graphics-heavy games in hot environments.
Insufficient storage
When your iPhone‘s internal storage is nearly full, it can start to slow down and eventually freeze as it struggles to manage the limited space. Aim to keep at least 1GB of free storage at all times to avoid performance issues.
Hardware damage
A hard drop or exposure to liquids can sometimes cause physical damage to the iPhone‘s internal components, leading to malfunctions and freezes. If you notice your phone freezing more often after a spill or fall, it may be time for a repair.
The good news is that most occasional iPhone freezes can be chalked up to software quirks rather than irreversible hardware damage. And as we‘ve learned, a quick restart is usually enough to get things running smoothly again.
| iPhone Model | Button Shutdown Combo |
|---|---|
| iPhone X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13 | Side button + Volume Up/Down |
| iPhone SE (2nd/3rd Gen), 8, 7, 6S, 6 | Side button only |
| iPhone SE (1st Gen), 5S, 5C, 5 | Top button only |
| iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, 3G, Original | Top button only |
Shutdowns: Your iPhone‘s Secret Weapon?
We usually think of shutting down our iPhones as a last resort – something to try when an app won‘t close or the battery is draining suspiciously fast. But regular shutdowns can actually help keep your iPhone happy and healthy in the long run.
Benefit #1: Memory management
Every time you shut down your iPhone, it clears out the random access memory (RAM) and terminates any background processes or idle apps that may be hogging resources. This can help prevent app crashes and keep things running smoothly.
Benefit #2: Battery health
Apple recommends shutting down your iPhone and storing it at a 50% charge if you plan on leaving it unused for an extended period of time (like a week or more). This can help slow the natural chemical aging of the battery and extend its overall lifespan.
Benefit #3: Software updates
While most iOS updates can be installed while your iPhone is running, some major releases (like the jump from iOS 14 to iOS 15) require a full shutdown and restart. Regularly shutting down your phone ensures it‘s primed and ready for any new software.
So while you don‘t need to power down your iPhone every single night, making a habit of shutting down at least once a week can help keep things fresh and functional. Just think of it as a quick power nap for your favorite device!
The Bottom Line
As sleek and intuitive as Apple tries to make the iPhone user experience, there are still times when even the most tech-savvy among us can feel stumped. The newly redesigned shutdown process is a prime example.
But with this guide in your back pocket, you should now have a complete arsenal of techniques for turning off your iPhone 11, 12 or 13 – no matter what curveballs it may throw your way. To recap, here are the key points to remember:
- Press and hold the Side button and Volume Up/Down button until the power off slider appears, then swipe right to shut down
- Access the power off screen directly by going to Settings > General > Shut Down
- Force restart a frozen iPhone by quickly pressing Volume Up, Volume Down, then holding the Side button til the Apple logo appears
- Use AssistiveTouch to add a virtual shutdown button if your physical buttons are broken
- Shut down an iPhone without touching the screen by using Hey Siri voice commands or rapidly clicking the volume buttons
- Most iPhone freezes are caused by software issues and can be fixed with a simple restart
- Regularly shutting down your iPhone can help manage memory, protect battery health and prepare for software updates
The next time a friend or family member comes to you with a "How do I turn this dang thing off?!" conundrum, you‘ll be ready with a wealth of knowledge and creative workarounds. Look at you – the iPhone whisperer!
