iPhone force restart and factory reset, step by step
A frozen or sluggish iPhone usually comes back to life after a force restart. Leave the factory reset for last, because it deletes all your data.
- Most common cause
- overloaded system, full storage or a bug after an update
- Time
- 5–30 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 200–540 zł for diagnostics and a software fix
A force restart is safe and does not delete data. Erasing the iPhone is different: it removes everything, so back up to iCloud or a computer first. Also keep your Apple ID password handy, because you cannot unlock the phone after a reset without it.
Step by step
Wait a moment and charge the phone
Sometimes an iPhone only looks frozen because the battery is flat or it is busy with a big update. Plug in the charger and wait a few minutes.
Force restart a newer iPhone
Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down. Then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Do not let go when the screen goes black.
Force restart an older model
iPhone 7: hold Volume Down and the side button together. iPhone 6s and SE (1st gen.): hold the Home button and the power button together. In both cases, keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
Update the system
Once the phone works, go to Settings → General → Software Update. Fixes often cure freezing. You need Wi-Fi and about 30% battery to download.
Free up space
Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage. A full phone slows down and freezes. Delete apps you do not use, or use “Offload App”, which keeps the app’s data.
Turn off background refresh
In Settings → General → Background App Refresh, limit it to the few apps you need. This eases the load on the processor and battery.
Back up before the reset
Warning: erasing the iPhone deletes all data. Back up to iCloud (Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup) or connect the phone to a computer and back up there.
Erase all content and settings
Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. After the restart, set the phone up as new and check whether the problem is gone before you restore the backup.
- The iPhone freezes on the Apple logo and several force restarts do not help.
- The phone gets very hot or loses battery fast along with freezing.
- You get an error message during an update or restore, and the computer does not see the phone.
- The screen is damaged, the phone got wet or the battery is swollen.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnostics and software repair | 110–340 zł |
| iPhone battery replacement | 340–820 zł |
| iPhone screen replacement | 540–1900 zł |
| Motherboard repair | 680–1650 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
A force restart and a reset are free and fix most software problems. Try them yourself first. If the phone still freezes after erasing, it is usually the battery or the motherboard. For an older iPhone, use the calculator to check whether a repair makes sense compared with the price of a new one.
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Open the calculator →FAQ
Does a force restart delete data?
No. It is like pulling the plug on a computer. Your photos, apps and settings stay in place.
How long should I hold the side button?
Usually 10–20 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. Do not let go when the screen goes black for a moment.
Can I get my data back after a reset?
Yes, if you made a backup to iCloud or a computer first. Erased data without a backup cannot be recovered.
Does an iPad restart the same way?
Almost. iPad without a Home button: Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold the top button. iPad with a Home button: hold the Home button and the top button together.