How to Restore iPhone Settings Using Hardware Keys

This article shows you how to force a frozen iPhone to restart. Restoring iPhone settings using hardware keys requires you to press a number of key combinations depending on the model. If forcing your iPhone to restart doesn't work, you can also refer to how to fix operating system errors by connecting your iPhone to your computer.

Force iPhone 8 and newer models to restart

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Press and release the volume up button. This is the button on the left side of the phone, near the top edge.

This method will work on iPhone 8, 8 Plus, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (second generation).

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Press and release the volume down button. You'll find this button on the left side of the phone, just below the volume up button.

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Press and hold the button on the other side. This is the button on the right side of the phone. Keep holding that button until the Apple logo appears.

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Release when the Apple logo appears. This operation forces the frozen iPhone to restart.

If the iPhone still does not restart, try charging the phone for about an hour and repeat the above operation. If you still can't restart iPhone, see Fix an iPhone that won't restart.

Force your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus to restart

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Press and hold the volume down button and the power button. The volume down button is on the left side of the iPhone, and the power button is on the top edge. Continue holding these buttons until the Apple logo appears.

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Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. If the reset operation is performed successfully, your iPhone will restart normally.

If the iPhone still does not restart, try charging the phone for about an hour and repeat the above operation. If you still can't restart iPhone, see Fix an iPhone that won't restart.

Force your iPhone 6, 6s Plus, or iPhone SE (1st generation) to restart

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Press and hold the power button and the Home button. The power button is on the top edge of the iPhone, and the Home button is a large round button in the middle of the bottom of the screen. Keep holding these buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

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Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears on the screen. Your iPhone will restart normally if the reset operation is performed successfully.

If the iPhone still does not restart, try charging the phone for about an hour and repeat the above operation. If you still can't restart iPhone, see Fix an iPhone that won't restart.

Fix iPhone that won't restart

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Connect iPhone to computer. If your iPhone only shows the Apple logo on the monochrome screen when forced to restart, you can try using a Windows or Mac computer to fix the problem without fear of losing data. First, connect your iPhone to the computer using the charging cord.

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Open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows computer). If you have a Mac Catalina or newer, click the two-colored face icon in the Dock to open the Finder. If you're using a Windows computer or an earlier version of macOS, you'll open iTunes from the Start menu or the Applications folder.

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Open the iPhone folder. If you use the Finder, click your iPhone's name in the left panel, just below "Locations." If you use iTunes, you'll click the button with the iPhone icon near the top left corner of the app (to the right of the selection list).

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Put iPhone in recovery mode. This operation will vary depending on the model:

Devices with Face ID: Press and release the volume up button, then press and release the volume down button. Press and hold the button on the top edge until your iPhone boots into recovery mode.

iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the volume up button, then press and release the volume down button. Press and hold the button on the right side until the iPhone enters recovery mode.

iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the button on the top edge (or the button on the right side of some models) and the volume down button at the same time. Release when you see your phone show up in recovery mode.

iPhones with a Home button, iPhone 6 and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and the button on the top edge (or right side) at the same time. Release when the recovery screen appears.

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Click the Update button on your computer. This is the button in the notification that displays on Finder or iTunes when iPhone enters recovery mode. This option will fix iOS errors without deleting your data.

The iPhone will restart normally if the repair operation is performed successfully.

If the update download process is not completed after more than 15 minutes, your iPhone will automatically exit recovery mode. In this case, repeat step 4 to return to recovery mode and try again.

If your iPhone has been successfully updated but you cannot use the device, you have probably succeeded in restoring factory settings. Repeat this method and choose Restore instead of Update . However, the data on the iPhone will be erased; Therefore, you should only choose this method when you have tried everything.

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Contact Apple support if your iPhone still won't restart. Apple recommends that you contact support if you continue to experience any of the following issues: the screen remains black or another solid color, the display appears normal but iPhone does not respond when you touch, or iPhone only displays the Apple logo. To contact support, you'll go to https://getsupport.apple.com, select your device model, and follow the onscreen instructions.