I recently bought an iPhone 15 and it suddenly froze while using an app. I’m not sure how to perform a restart on this model. Can someone guide me through the steps to reboot it properly?
Oh boy, the ol’ “new iPhone freeze” fiasco. Classic. Anyway, restarting your iPhone 15 is pretty straightforward—it’s just a few button presses away from being cooperative again. Here’s the quick and dirty way to do it:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Hold down the Side Button (the one on the right side of the phone) until you see the Apple logo.
No need to panic, no sacrificial rituals required—just those steps. If it STILL doesn’t respond, maybe it just doesn’t like you yet (kidding). Jokes aside, if it’s totally unresponsive, plug that sucker into a charger for a few minutes and try the steps again. Sometimes it just needs a little juice or a nudge.
Oh, and in case you were wondering—yes, this doesn’t erase anything on your phone. It’s just like giving it a nap. Tech tantrums are real.
Honestly, iPhones freezing feels like a rite of passage. @espritlibre gave you the standard solution, which, yeah, usually works. But let me play devil’s advocate for a sec—what if it doesn’t? Happens more than you’d think. Sometimes, you hold those buttons and feel like an idiot staring at a screen that just refuses to budge.
If the classic button-sequence-theatrics fail, try this workaround: connect it to a computer with iTunes (or Finder if you’re on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later). Once it’s plugged in, force restart it using those same button presses @espritlibre explained (you know, volume up, volume down, side button). But here’s the trick—it should boot into recovery mode if the restart didn’t work beforehand. From there, iTunes/Finder will offer to update or restore it. Choose ‘Update’ first to avoid wiping your data.
But let’s keep it real: no one wants to wrestle with recovery mode every time their phone has a meltdown. Could it be the app you were using? Especially if it’s some third-party app with a questionable track record—delete and reinstall it after you’re back up. If you’re still experiencing freeze-ups, you might want to run an iOS update (Settings > General > Software Update). Apple loves shoving out patches for these glitches post-launch, so staying updated might save you some sanity.
Anyway, if none of this works? Time to hit up Apple Support and show them your new phone loves testing your patience.
Alright, so let me throw another perspective into the mix here. While @vrijheidsvogel and @espritlibre covered the tried-and-true methods pretty thoroughly, I’ll add some potential scenarios and tweaks that might help if those button combos aren’t cutting it or your iPhone 15 decides to remain grumpy.
First off, before resorting to recovery mode or any intense troubleshooting, a lot of freezes on newer iPhones can sometimes be resolved without going full force with restarts or plugging into iTunes:
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Wait it out: Not the most glamorous solution, but if the freeze is minor, sometimes the iPhone 15 unfreezes itself after a handful of seconds or minutes. Basically, it’s like tech meditation—give it a second to chill.
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Check your app issue: If it’s tied to a specific app (like when you’re in the middle of using it), you might be able to quit just that app. Swipe up from the bottom to access the app switcher, then flick the app away if your screen is semi-responsive. If this works, reinstall the app afterwards—it could be buggy.
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Drain your battery intentionally: Weird hack? Maybe. But if it’s stuck beyond function and won’t listen to button inputs, letting the battery die completely can force it to restart when you charge it back up. Annoying, but effective if patience is your only weapon.
Now, here are a couple of quick notes on the pros & cons of tackling your freeze this way:
Pros:
- Less invasive than recovery mode.
- You avoid potential data loss or accidental restores in iTunes/Finder.
- Doesn’t need extra tools like cables or Mac/PCs.
Cons:
- You’re stuck waiting, which isn’t always feasible.
- If it’s a deeper issue—say iOS itself—it might resurface even after a restart.
- Not a permanent fix if the phone keeps freezing.
Competitors (Steps Recommended Above): @espritlibre laid out the force restart steps clearly, which do solve like 80% of these situations for most users quickly. But @vrijheidsvogel also brought up walking into recovery mode with iTunes/Finder if it’s a bigger meltdown, though let’s be real—nobody wants to go that route unless absolutely necessary. Think of that as the nuclear option.
If you end up in Recovery mode anyway, I second their suggestion: always try ‘Update’ instead of ‘Restore’ first to save your data. But before even touching recovery, check if you’ve got the latest iOS version installed—it’s not uncommon for Apple to patch quirky bugs in freshly released models with those updates. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure your iPhone 15 is on the newest version possible.
Lastly, consider this—brand-new devices like the iPhone 15 sometimes launch with minor hiccups, especially if it’s preloaded with apps or settings that may not totally jive with the system. If your restarts keep being a regular occurrence, hit up Apple Support—your warranty has you covered. Let them deal with it before you lose your mind entirely.
Keep calm, and good luck making your fancy new phone behave like it’s supposed to.