How to Force Restart iPhone X
If you need to force restart an iPhone X you will need to learn a new method, because Apple has changed how you force reboot iPhone X compared to prior iPhone models. This is partially because the iPhone X no longer has a Home button, so the longstanding method of forced rebooting is no longer possible with iPhone X.
Now with iPhone X, you will force restart the device by using a series of button presses instead. This tutorial will detail exactly how you can initiate a forced restart, sometimes called a hard reboot, of iPhone X.
The sequence is a little strange at first mostly because it’s different, breaking the habit you may have developed with force rebooting earlier iOS devices, but once you get the hang of it you will be able to force restart iPhone X almost as quickly as you could earlier devices. You’ll also need to be sure you press the buttons in the proper order as described, otherwise the iPhone X will not force restart.
How to Force Reboot iPhone X
You must press the buttons in sequential order for iPhone X to force restart, the first two buttons are pressed and then released, and the final button is held until the force reboot occurs. Here’s how it works:
- Press Volume Up, then release
- Press Volume Down, then release
- Press and hold the Power / Lock button on the right side of iPhone X
- Continue to hold the Power / Lock / Side button until the Apple logo appears on screen of iPhone X
It may feel like it takes a while to see the Apple logo appear on screen, but once you do see it you will know you have successfully forced the iPhone X to restart.
Remember, you must follow the proper order of pressing the buttons to force reboot iPhone X, if it fails then just start over and try again.
If you try and press the buttons concurrently you’ll likely either take a screenshot on iPhone X or initiate the Emergency Calling feature, neither of which you are likely trying to do if you simply want to force the iPhone to restart. The proper way is: Up, Down, hold Power.
This is yet another evolving change in the iOS world, but it turns out that force restarting iPhone X with the new button sequence is actually also how you force reboot an iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, though it is different from force restarting iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which is also different from forcibly rebooting iPhone 6s, 6, 5, 4, and iPad models with clickable Home buttons. With the steps changing on several occasions, perhaps we’ll see another change with forced restarts on iOS devices down the road, time will tell.
Oh and by the way, you can also preform a regular reboot of iPhone X by simply turning it off and back on again. You can do that with the Power/Volume button press, or with the method that works on all modern iOS versions by turning off the iPhone or iPad via Settings, without using the Power button and then simply turning it back on again.
Thank you it worked I have an Apple 6 that’s sold
I got it to re-boot, then I could swipe up to open, but none of the apps would work — did this a few times …. now what?
The top two rows of apps on my iPhone X will not respond to screen touch, I’ve done a forced reboot but still no joy?
It does not work. Only pops up it’s Siri. He said to press volume up and release then press volume down and release then press and hold the right side button until the apple logo pops up. I’m doing it and only thing happening is Siri.
It doesn’t work if you hold down on them it just does ems
Tate, yes it does, why didn’t you read the article with the instructions on how to force reboot the iPhone X? It tells you exactly what to do, if you read it.
Don’t hold down all of the buttons. Nowhere does it say to do that.
To force reboot iPhone X.
Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, hold only Power.
It restarts.
Unfortunately I know this all too well because I have to do this like several times a week because my iPhone X freezes.
Tryigon,
please, imagine, it really does not work, at least for my iphone x.
It works. I have an iPhone X. *Read the instructions* You have to hold down the power button for a while before it starts to reboot. You’re clearly doing something wrong.
Doesn’t work for me either now matter how many times i try.
I have an iPhone X max. The phone has simply shut down and it wil not reboot. Any Ideas? And do I need to take it to an Apple store.
I was listening to music while I was working and it simply shut down
My iphone X is frozen and won’t turn off. I’ve tried many times to shut it down, but there’s no response. Please help!!!!
Keep holding the Volume up and Power button, hold them both down until the iPhone X reboots. It is a hardware reset, so unless the buttons are broken it will work to force restart the iPhone X.
Applies to iPhone XS, XR too…
My I phone x will NOT turn on no matter the sequences. I’ve had nothing but trouble with this phone and I wish I never bought it!!!!
P.O.S!
The screen stopped working and had Apple replace the screen. Now my phone stopped working and will no longer power up!
This was the first iPhone I have ever owned and I hate that I bought it. Now I’m stuck with a phone that a company will not acknowledge any of the issues and doubt they will make this right!!
Stay away from this phone!!!
Tried to restart with all the suggestions. It will not turn off. There is a small white line that circles in the middle of the screen. That is all that it does.
Been trying this for a while but still won’t restart.
Good information. Thanks!
Please add “The phone needs to be on LOCK screen to do this. If you try to do it on the unlocked screen it won’t work”
The iPhone X force reboot procedure can be done any time. It does not need to be locked to force boot, you can initiate force reboot from either a locked or unlocked screen on iPhone X.
Sorry 😐 it does work only if you touch the buttons very quickly. Or maybe that is not the force quit screen?
This is how you forcibly RESTART an iPhone X. It will not force quit anything, it restarts the iPhone. Restarting means the iPhone X turns itself off, then turns itself back on, it is forced meaning it happens immediately with a hard reset signal rather than a soft shutdown and startup.
https://osxdaily.com/2017/11/17/how-force-restart-iphone-x/
If you want to quit out of apps forcibly, which is completely different, you have to force quit an application. Force quitting an application does not reboot an iPhone.
https://osxdaily.com/2017/11/14/how-quit-apps-iphone-x/
Two completely different processes. Apples and Oranges.
Okay, it just worked after an extremely long side button press.
Yes it takes a while on iPhone X. Press and release Volume Up, Press and release Volume Down, then hold onto Side button until you see that Apple logo and it reboots.
It takes a longer than expected, maybe 15 seconds. It appears to be slower than rebooting earlier iPhone models, but the iPhone X itself boots quickly once it does restart.