6 Ways to Power Off iPhone When Buttons Don’t Work

Image of an iPhone with the power button grayed out

When your iPhone’s buttons are unresponsive, powering it off can be a daunting task. However, there are several methods you can employ to resolve this issue, ensuring that your device shuts down safely. By utilizing these techniques, you can regain control over your iPhone and troubleshoot any underlying hardware or software glitches.

One effective approach involves using the AssistiveTouch feature. This built-in accessibility tool provides a virtual home button that you can access from any screen. To enable AssistiveTouch, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and toggle the switch to the “On” position. Once activated, a floating white circle with a black square inside will appear on your screen. Tap on this circle to access a menu of options, including a “Device” button. Selecting this button will reveal a power icon, which you can tap to initiate the power-off process. Alternatively, you can utilize the Siri voice assistant to power off your iPhone. Simply say “Hey Siri, power off my phone” and Siri will initiate the shutdown procedure. Keep in mind that Siri requires an active internet connection to function.

If the aforementioned methods prove unsuccessful, you can attempt a forced restart. This procedure involves holding down a specific combination of buttons on your iPhone to force it to shut down and restart. The method varies depending on your iPhone model. For devices with a Face ID, simultaneously press and hold the volume up button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. For iPhones with a Touch ID, press and hold both the power button and the home button until the power-off slider displays. Once the slider appears, drag it to the right to power off your iPhone. After a few seconds, press and hold the power button again to restart your device. By following these steps, you can effectively power off your iPhone even when its buttons are non-functional.

How To Power Off Iphone When Buttons Don't Work

Using AssistiveTouch

If your iPhone’s buttons are not working, you can still power it off using the AssistiveTouch feature. Here’s how:

  1. Enable AssistiveTouch:

    1. Go to “Settings”
    2. Select “Accessibility”
    3. Choose “AssistiveTouch”
    4. Toggle the switch to “On”
  2. You will see a virtual button on your screen.

  3. Customize the AssistiveTouch menu:

    1. Tap the “Customize” button in the AssistiveTouch menu.
    2. Select the “Create New Gesture” option.
    3. Draw a custom gesture on the screen.
    4. Assign the “Home” function to the custom gesture.
  4. Use the AssistiveTouch menu to power off your iPhone:

    1. Tap on the AssistiveTouch button.
    2. Select “Device” from the menu.
    3. Tap on “More” and choose “Restart.”
    4. Confirm your action by tapping the “Restart” button.

Tips for Using AssistiveTouch

  • You can also use AssistiveTouch to perform other functions, such as adjusting the volume, taking screenshots, and opening apps.
  • You can customize the AssistiveTouch menu to include your frequently used actions.
  • If you have difficulty drawing a custom gesture, you can choose from a list of predefined gestures.

Connecting to a Computer

If you have a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, or a PC with iTunes 12.8 or later, you can connect your iPhone to your computer to power it off.

For Mac users:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
2. Open the Finder on your Mac.
3. In the Finder sidebar, select your iPhone.
4. Click the “General” tab.
5. Under the “Power” section, click the “Power Off” button.

For PC users:

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes on your PC.
3. In the iTunes sidebar, select your iPhone.
4. Click the “Summary” tab.
5. Under the “Options” section, select the “Power Off” checkbox.
6. Click the “Apply” button.

Device Operating System
iPhone 8 and later iOS 12 or later
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus iOS 11 or later
iPhone 6s and earlier iOS 9 or later

Using Siri

If your iPhone’s physical buttons aren’t working, you can use Siri to power off the device. Here’s how:

  1. Say “Hey Siri, power off my phone.”
  2. Siri will ask for confirmation. Say “Yes.”
  3. The phone will power off within a few seconds.

You can also use Siri to restart your iPhone if it’s frozen or not responding. Simply say “Hey Siri, restart my phone” and Siri will do the rest.

Here is a table summarizing the steps for using Siri to power off your iPhone:

Step Action
1 Say “Hey Siri, power off my phone.”
2 Say “Yes” to confirm.
3 The phone will power off within a few seconds.

Hard Resetting with MagSafe

If your iPhone is equipped with MagSafe, you can use a MagSafe charger to perform a hard reset. Here’s how:

  1. Connect your MagSafe charger to your iPhone.
  2. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
  3. Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
  4. Your iPhone will now reboot. This process may take a few minutes.

Detailed Steps for Hard Resetting with MagSafe

Step 1: Connect a MagSafe charger to your iPhone.

Make sure the MagSafe charger is securely attached to the back of your iPhone. If the charger is not properly connected, it will not be able to perform a hard reset.

Step 2: Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Volume Down button simultaneously.

Locate the Volume Up button and the Volume Down button on the side of your iPhone. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously. It is important to press both buttons at the same time. If you only press one button, it will not trigger the hard reset.

Step 3: Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Keep holding the Volume Up button and the Volume Down button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Once the Apple logo appears, release both buttons immediately. If you release the buttons too early, the hard reset will not be performed.

Step 4: Your iPhone will now reboot.

After you release the buttons, your iPhone will start to reboot. This process may take a few minutes. During this time, do not touch any buttons on your iPhone. Once the reboot is complete, your iPhone will be restored to its factory settings.

Hard Resetting with a Qi Wireless Charger

If your iPhone’s buttons are unresponsive and you have access to a Qi wireless charger, you can use it to perform a hard reset. Here’s how:

  1. Connect your iPhone to a Qi wireless charger.
  2. Press and hold the Volume Up button for approximately 5 seconds.
  3. Release the Volume Up button and immediately press and hold the Volume Down button for approximately 5 seconds.
  4. Release the Volume Down button and immediately press and hold the Side button.
  5. Hold the Side button for approximately 10-15 seconds, or until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Additional Notes:

  • The exact time you need to hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Side buttons may vary slightly from the estimates provided.
  • If the hard reset is successful, your iPhone will restart and the unresponsive buttons should start working again.
  • If the hard reset does not resolve the issue, you may need to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized repair center.

Troubleshooting:

Issue Solution
The Apple logo does not appear on the screen. Retry the steps carefully, ensuring you hold the buttons for the correct duration.
The iPhone does not restart after the reset. Try connecting the iPhone to a different Qi wireless charger or power outlet.

Using the Power Reserve Feature

The Power Reserve feature is a built-in option that allows you to conserve battery life when your device is low on power. When enabled, the iPhone will automatically shut down non-essential services to extend battery life.

To use the Power Reserve feature:

  1. Press and hold the Volume Up or Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously.
  2. Hold the buttons until the Power Reserve slider appears.
  3. Drag the slider to the right to enable Power Reserve.

The following table outlines the key differences between normal mode and Power Reserve mode:

Mode Features
Normal All features are active, including cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Power Reserve Only essential services are active, such as phone calls, messages, and Safari browsing.

To exit Power Reserve mode, connect your iPhone to a power source or press and hold the Volume Up or Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.

Utilizing the Physical Keys (If Partially Working)

Should the power button become unresponsive, do not worry; there are still ways to power down your iPhone using the remaining physical keys. This method is recommended if you need to quickly turn off your iPhone and the AssistiveTouch menu is not readily available.

Step 1: Partially Lower the Volume

Begin by pressing and momentarily releasing the volume down button. Avoid holding it for an extended period, as this may trigger Siri. Just a quick tap will suffice.

Step 2: Volume Up and Release

Next, perform the same action with the volume up button. Press it briefly and release it immediately.

Step 3: Hold the Power Button

Now, comes the crucial step. Press and hold the power button on the side of your iPhone. You’ll notice that the “Slide to power off” slider appears on the screen even though you haven’t pressed the volume buttons.

Step 4: Slide to Power Off

As soon as you see the slider, slide it from left to right to initiate the power-off sequence. Your iPhone will turn off promptly.

Here’s a table summarizing the key combinations to power off your iPhone using physical keys (if partially working):

Step Action
1 Partially press and release the volume down button
2 Partially press and release the volume up button
3 Hold the power button
4 Slide the “Slide to power off” slider

Employing a Third-Party Software

If the above methods are not feasible, you can resort to third-party software to power off your iPhone. These software applications provide an accessible interface to control your device remotely from your computer. Here are some popular options:

1. iMyFone D-Port Pro

D-Port Pro is a comprehensive iOS device manager that allows you to perform various tasks, including powering off your iPhone remotely. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports a range of iOS versions.

2. EaseUS MobiMover

MobiMover is another feature-rich software that enables you to power off your iPhone using your computer. It also offers additional functions such as data transfer, backup, and recovery.

3. iTools

iTools is a versatile iOS management tool with a dedicated “Power Off” button. It provides a convenient way to turn off your iPhone remotely, even if the device is unresponsive.

To use a third-party software, follow these general steps:

Step Description
1 Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2 Launch the third-party software on your computer.
3 Locate the “Power Off” or “Shutdown” option within the software’s interface.
4 Click or tap the “Power Off” or “Shutdown” button.
5 Wait for your iPhone to power off completely.

Contacting Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the above methods and still can’t power off your iPhone with broken buttons, your next step is to contact Apple Support. Do this by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) or going to the Apple Support website at https://support.apple.com. Apple Support representatives can often help troubleshoot your issue remotely and provide further assistance if needed.

9. Force Restart with iTunes (for a computer with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later)

For computers running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, iTunes is no longer available. Instead, use the Finder to perform the force restart process. Here’s how:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
  2. Open a Finder window.
  3. On the left sidebar, select your iPhone.
  4. In the middle pane, under “General,” click on “Restore iPhone.” Do not click on “Update.”
  5. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm the restart process. Click on “Restore and Update.”
  6. Enter your iPhone’s passcode, if prompted.
  7. The force restart process will begin. Wait for it to complete.

Restoring your iPhone will erase all data on the device. Make sure you have backed up your data before performing a force restart through iTunes or the Finder.

Here is a table summarizing the steps for all methods:

Method Steps
AssistiveTouch Enable AssistiveTouch, navigate to Device, then More, then Restart
Slide to Power Off Connect to a charger or computer, manually slide the power off slider
Volume Up + Volume Down + Power Quickly press Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Power until the Apple logo appears
Volume Down + Power (iPhone 8 and later) Hold Volume Down and Power until the recovery mode screen appears
iTunes (macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier) Connect to iTunes, press Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Power until recovery mode screen appears
Finder (macOS Catalina 10.15 or later) Connect to Finder, hold Volume Down and Power until recovery mode screen appears
Contact Apple Support Call Apple Support or visit the Apple Support website

Troubleshooting for Specific iPhone Models

If the universal solutions mentioned above fail to power off your iPhone, you may need to consider model-specific troubleshooting.

iPhone 6s and Earlier

If the Power and Volume Down buttons are unresponsive on iPhone 6s or earlier models, try performing a hard reset by holding down both the Home and Power buttons for at least 10 seconds. This should force the device to shut down.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, the Volume Down button is used instead of the Power button in the hard reset process. Hold down both the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake buttons for at least 10 seconds.

iPhone 8 and Later

On iPhone 8 and later models, the hard reset method involves a slightly different sequence. First, press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone X and Later

iPhone X and later models introduce a new way to perform a hard reset. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, quickly press and release the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 11 and Later

For iPhone 11 and later models, the hard reset method remains the same as the iPhone X and later series. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, quickly press and release the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

How To Power Off Iphone When Buttons Don’t Work

If your iPhone’s power button is not working, there are a few ways to turn it off.

Use AssistiveTouch

AssistiveTouch is a feature that allows you to control your iPhone using on-screen gestures. You can use AssistiveTouch to turn off your iPhone by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Accessibility.
  4. Tap AssistiveTouch.
  5. Tap the switch next to AssistiveTouch to turn it on.
  6. A small white circle will appear on your screen. This is the AssistiveTouch menu.
  7. Tap the AssistiveTouch menu.
  8. Tap the Device button.
  9. Tap the Lock Screen button.
  10. Tap the Slide to Power Off button.

Use Siri

If you have Siri enabled, you can use it to turn off your iPhone by saying “Hey Siri, turn off my phone.”

Connect your iPhone to a computer

If you have a Mac, you can use iTunes to turn off your iPhone. To do this, connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable. Open iTunes and select your iPhone in the sidebar. Click the Summary tab and then click the Power Off button.

If you have a PC, you can use the Windows Device Recovery Tool to turn off your iPhone. To do this, download the Windows Device Recovery Tool from Microsoft’s website. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable. Open the Windows Device Recovery Tool and follow the on-screen instructions.

People also ask

How do I turn off my iPhone if the power button is stuck?

If the power button on your iPhone is stuck, you can use AssistiveTouch or Siri to turn it off. You can also connect your iPhone to a computer and use iTunes or the Windows Device Recovery Tool to turn it off.

How do I turn off my iPhone if the screen is broken?

If the screen on your iPhone is broken, you can use AssistiveTouch or Siri to turn it off. You can also connect your iPhone to a computer and use iTunes or the Windows Device Recovery Tool to turn it off.

Can I turn off my iPhone if the power button and screen are not working?

If the power button and screen on your iPhone are not working, you can use the Windows Device Recovery Tool to turn it off. To do this, connect your iPhone to a PC using a USB cable. Open the Windows Device Recovery Tool and follow the on-screen instructions.