How to Soft Reset an iPhone

To soft reset an iPhone with Face ID, quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. A soft reset, also called a force restart, does not erase your photos, apps, messages, settings, or other personal data.

What does a soft reset do on an iPhone?

A soft reset forces an iPhone to shut down and start again when the usual controls are not working. Apple generally calls this procedure a force restart.

The force restart interrupts the current software session and reloads iOS. It can clear a temporary problem that has left the screen, an app, the touchscreen, or another feature unresponsive.

A soft reset does not remove the content stored on the iPhone. It is different from a factory reset, which erases personal information and returns the device to its initial setup state.

When should you soft reset an iPhone?

Use a soft reset when an iPhone is powered on but is frozen or will not respond normally. It is especially useful when you cannot swipe to turn off the device through the regular shutdown screen.

A force restart may help when:

• The screen is frozen on an app, menu, or image.
• An app will not close or respond to taps.
• The touchscreen does not react.
• The iPhone appears to be on but has no sound.
• The normal power-off slider does not appear or cannot be used.
• The screen is black even though the iPhone may still be running.

A soft reset is a troubleshooting step, not a repair for physical damage. If the iPhone was dropped, became wet, or shows visible damage, restarting it may not address the cause.

How do you soft reset an iPhone with Face ID?

For an iPhone with Face ID, use the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Side buttons in a specific order. Complete the first two presses quickly; do not hold the volume buttons.

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button.
4. Keep holding the Side button if the power-off slider appears.
5. Release the Side button when the Apple logo appears.
6. Wait for the iPhone to finish starting.

The button sequence may seem unsuccessful if the volume buttons are pressed too slowly or if the Side button is released when the power-off slider appears. Start again from Volume Up if the Apple logo does not appear.

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

For most older iPhone models with a physical Home button, press two buttons together until the Apple logo appears. The power button may be on the side or the top, depending on the model.

1. Press and hold the Side button or Top button and the Home button at the same time.
2. Continue holding both buttons if the screen changes or a slider appears.
3. Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
4. Wait while the iPhone starts again.

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are exceptions even though they have Home buttons. On those models, press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together, then release them when the Apple logo appears.

If you are asking, “How do you do a soft reset on an iPhone?” and do not know the model, check whether the phone unlocks with Face ID. Use the Face ID sequence when it does; otherwise identify the model before trying the Home-button method.

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

If a soft reset does not make the iPhone respond, first repeat the correct sequence. A missed press or releasing the final button too early can prevent a force restart.

1. Retry the force-restart sequence for the specific iPhone model.
2. Check that the case is not blocking or continuously pressing a button.
3. Connect the iPhone to a working charger and allow it time to charge, then try the force restart again.
4. Check the charging cable, power adapter, and charging port for an obvious connection problem.
5. If the iPhone starts but the same app freezes again, close or update that app after the phone becomes usable.
6. If the iPhone remains unresponsive, seek help from official Apple Support or an Apple-authorized service provider.

Do not repeatedly attempt to erase the iPhone just because the screen is frozen. Erasing is a separate action and can remove data that has not been backed up.

Is a soft reset the same as a factory reset?

No. A soft reset restarts an iPhone without deleting personal content, while a factory reset erases the device.

• Soft reset or force restart: Reloads iOS and keeps photos, messages, apps, accounts, and settings.
• Factory reset: Uses Erase All Content and Settings to remove personal content and prepare the iPhone for setup again.

If an erase is genuinely needed and the iPhone is responsive, the option is under Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings. Review the prompts carefully and confirm that important information is backed up before proceeding.

For a frozen or unresponsive screen, try a soft reset first. A factory reset is not required for the usual force-restart procedure and should not be used as a substitute for it.