How to Hard Reset an iPhone 13
To hard reset an iPhone 13 without deleting data, quickly press Volume Up, quickly press Volume Down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This forced restart can recover a frozen or unresponsive iPhone 13, but it does not erase photos, apps, messages, or settings.
What does a hard reset do on an iPhone 13?
On an iPhone 13, a hard reset usually means a forced restart: the phone shuts down and starts again even when the screen or normal controls do not respond.
A forced restart does not remove personal information. It is different from the Erase All Content and Settings option, which performs a factory reset and removes data from the device.
The term “hard reset” is sometimes used for both procedures, which can cause confusion. If the goal is to unfreeze an iPhone 13 while keeping its contents, use the forced-restart button sequence below. Do not select an erase option.
A forced restart interrupts whatever the iPhone is doing and reloads iOS. Unsaved work in the app that was open may be lost, but stored photos, installed apps, messages, contacts, and account settings remain in place.
When should you hard reset an iPhone 13?
Try a hard reset when an iPhone 13 will not respond well enough for a normal shutdown. Common situations include:
- The screen is frozen and does not change.
- The touchscreen does not respond to taps or swipes.
- An app is stuck and cannot be closed.
- The display is black even though the iPhone may still be running.
- The iPhone remains on the Apple logo or repeatedly restarts.
- The side button and on-screen power control do not produce a normal shutdown.
A hard reset is a troubleshooting step, not a guaranteed repair. If the problem returns frequently, the iPhone may need an iOS update, more available storage, app troubleshooting, or help from Apple Support.
How do you hard reset an iPhone 13 step by step?
Use the following button sequence for an iPhone 13. The first two presses must be quick, and the side button must be held rather than tapped.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Immediately press and hold the side button on the opposite edge of the iPhone.
- Keep holding the side button when the screen goes dark. Do not release it if the power-off slider appears.
- Release the side button when the Apple logo appears. Apple notes that this may take longer than ten seconds.
- Wait for the iPhone 13 to finish starting, then enter the device passcode if requested.
Do not press the volume buttons at the same time. Press and release each one separately in the stated order, then hold only the side button.
This sequence applies to the iPhone 13 family. Older iPhone models may require a different combination, so do not assume that these steps are identical for every iPhone.
What should you do if an iPhone 13 hard reset does not work?
If the iPhone 13 stays black, connect it to a known-working power adapter and cable. Check the cable, adapter, charging port, and power outlet for an obvious problem. Let the device charge for one hour, then repeat the forced-restart sequence exactly.
If the Apple logo remains on the screen for several minutes without a progress bar, or the iPhone still cannot start, use recovery mode with a Mac or Windows PC:
- Connect the iPhone 13 to the computer with a compatible cable.
- Open Finder on a current Mac. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app; an older computer may use iTunes.
- Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the side button.
- Continue holding the side button after the Apple logo appears. Release it only when the recovery-mode screen appears.
- When the computer offers Update or Restore, try Update first. Update attempts to reinstall iOS while preserving personal data.
The Restore choice erases the iPhone, so do not select it unless data loss is understood and an appropriate backup is available. If the download takes long enough for the iPhone to leave recovery mode, allow the download to finish and then repeat the recovery-mode steps.
DFU mode is a deeper service procedure and is easy to confuse with recovery mode. Because restoring through DFU mode can erase the device, seek Apple Support guidance before using it when preserving data is important.
Contact Apple Support if the iPhone will not charge, the computer cannot recognize it, buttons are damaged, recovery mode cannot be reached, or the device repeatedly returns to a black screen or Apple logo.
Will a hard reset delete photos, apps, or messages from an iPhone 13?
No. A hard reset performed with the Volume Up, Volume Down, and side-button sequence is only a forced restart. It does not delete photos, apps, messages, contacts, accounts, or saved settings from an iPhone 13.
A factory reset is different. It uses an erase command to remove personal content and return the iPhone to its initial setup state. A forced restart does not open that process and does not require choosing an erase option.
Although stored data remains, changes that an app had not saved before the freeze may not survive the restart. After the iPhone starts, open the affected app and check the most recent work.
How can you get further help with an unresponsive iPhone 13?
Open {site} and search Apple Support for “If your iPhone won’t turn on or is frozen.” Apple’s official instructions can help confirm the forced-restart and recovery-mode steps for the iPhone 13.
To reach a live support representative, use the contact or support options shown on Apple’s official support site or in the Apple Support app on another working Apple device. Have the affected iPhone nearby, along with access to the Apple Account associated with it and a computer if recovery-mode troubleshooting may be needed.
Tell the representative exactly what appears on the screen, whether the iPhone responds while connected to power, and which steps have already been attempted. Mention any damaged or unresponsive buttons because the standard hard-reset sequence depends on all three buttons working correctly.