How to Soft Reset an iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide

To soft reset an iPhone, turn the iPhone off with the power-off slider and then turn it back on. A soft reset is a normal restart and does not erase photos, apps, messages, settings, or other personal data.

If the screen is completely frozen and the power-off slider will not respond, a normal soft reset may not be possible. In that case, the next step is a force restart, which uses a different button sequence.

What is a soft reset on an iPhone?

A soft reset on an iPhone is a simple shutdown and restart of the device. Apple usually calls this restarting the iPhone rather than performing a soft reset.

A soft iPhone reset closes running processes, clears temporary working memory, and starts iOS again. It does not remove personal content or return the phone to its original settings.

• Soft reset: Turns the iPhone off normally with the slider and starts it again. No data is lost.
• Force restart: Restarts an iPhone with its physical buttons when the screen or controls do not respond. It does not erase data, but its button sequence is different from a soft reset.
• Factory reset: Erases the iPhone and returns it to its setup state. This is not a soft reset.

The phrases “how to do a soft reset on iPhone,” “how to do soft reset on iPhone,” and “how to do a soft reset on an iPhone” all normally refer to the same safe restart procedure.

When should you soft reset an iPhone?

Try a soft reset when an iPhone is still responsive enough to show and operate the power-off slider. Restarting is a sensible first step before changing settings or trying more disruptive fixes.

A soft reset may help when:

• An app has stopped responding, but you can still use the buttons or screen.
• The screen is slow, behaves unexpectedly, or does not refresh correctly.
• The iPhone is not connecting to a known Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth accessory, or cellular service.
• A feature stopped working after an app or setting changed.
• You want to restart the device before checking for an update or trying deeper troubleshooting.

A soft reset should not be treated as a specific fix for a forgotten password or an account sign-in problem. Restarting may clear a temporary device issue, but it does not reset account credentials.

How do you soft reset an iPhone with Face ID?

To soft reset an iPhone with Face ID, including iPhone X and later Face ID models, use one volume button together with the side button. This is the normal restart sequence, not the separate force-restart sequence.

1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button at the same time.
2. Release both buttons when the power-off slider appears.
3. Drag the slider from left to right.
4. Wait about 30 seconds for the iPhone to turn off completely.
5. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.
6. Wait for the Lock Screen, then unlock the iPhone normally.

If Siri appears, the buttons were probably not held together correctly. Release them and try again, pressing one volume button and the side button at the same time.

How do you soft reset an iPhone with a Home button?

To soft reset an iPhone with a Home button, use the side button or top button to display the power-off slider. Do not hold the Home button as part of a normal soft reset.

1. Find the power button. On iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and newer iPhone SE models, it is the side button. On iPhone 5s, the first-generation iPhone SE, and earlier models, it is the top button.
2. Press and hold the side button or top button until the power-off slider appears.
3. Drag the slider from left to right.
4. Wait about 30 seconds while the iPhone shuts down.
5. Press and hold the same side button or top button until the Apple logo appears.
6. Release the button and wait for the Lock Screen.

This procedure answers searches such as “how to soft reset a iPhone” or “how to do a soft reset iPhone.” The model’s power-button location changes, but the normal shutdown-and-restart process is the same.

What should you do if the soft reset does not fix the iPhone?

If a soft reset does not fix the iPhone, first check whether the device completed its shutdown and startup. If the screen never responded to the slider, the iPhone was not actually soft-reset and may need a force restart.

1. Try a force restart using the button sequence for the exact iPhone model. A force restart does not erase personal data, but it is different from a soft reset.
2. If the iPhone shows an Apple logo or progress bar, allow time for a possible update to finish. Keep the device connected to power and avoid repeatedly interrupting it.
3. If the iPhone remains stuck during an update, check whether a computer recognizes it and follow Apple’s official update or recovery guidance.
4. If the device repeatedly freezes, will not start, is unusually hot, or shows signs of physical or liquid damage, contact Apple Support or an authorized service provider. Open {site} and look for the support section for verified assistance options.

A recovery or factory reset can erase data, so do not choose an erase option merely because a soft reset failed. Check that a current backup exists before taking any step that says it will restore or erase the iPhone.

How is a soft reset different from other iPhone fixes?

A soft reset on an iPhone affects the device’s current operating session, not accounts, passwords, or stored content. Choose the action that matches the problem:

• Soft reset: Use for a responsive but slow or misbehaving iPhone. It restarts iOS without deleting data.
• Force restart: Use when the iPhone is frozen and cannot operate the power-off slider. It uses a model-specific button sequence and does not erase data.
• Sign out of an account: Use only when account troubleshooting specifically requires it. Signing out can affect synced services and is not part of a soft reset.
• Reset a password: Use when a password is forgotten or rejected. Restarting the iPhone does not create or change a password.
• Factory reset: Use only when erasing the iPhone is intentional or official troubleshooting requires it. A factory reset removes personal content and settings.

For most temporary device problems, a soft reset is the safest first step because it simply gives the iPhone a clean restart without changing saved information.