Sometimes your iPhone’s screen might stop working. You’re left wondering how to turn it off. You can still power off your iPhone without the screen. This guide will show you simple steps to do it.
First, press and hold the side button and any of the volume buttons together. Keep holding until the screen goes dark. This action forces the iPhone to shutdown.
Another method involves using settings. If your touch screen isn’t fully broken, go to settings, accessibility, and enable AssistiveTouch. This feature lets you turn off the iPhone with on-screen options despite a faulty screen.
Troubleshooting Your iPhone
Why Would You Need To?
There are a few reasons you might need to turn off your iPhone without using the screen. The most common is a frozen or unresponsive screen. Sometimes, an app glitch or software issue can cause the screen to stop working. You might also have a cracked screen that doesn’t respond to touch. No matter the reason, it’s good to know how to power down your device.
Steps to Turn Off Your iPhone Without Using The Screen
The steps vary slightly depending on your iPhone model:
| Model | Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone X or later | Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. Release the Side button and your iPhone will restart. |
| iPhone 8, 7, or 6 (with Face ID) | Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears. Release the Top button and your iPhone will restart. |
| iPhone SE (2nd generation), 8, 7, or 6 (with Touch ID) | Press and hold the Top (or Side) button and the Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both buttons until the Apple logo appears. Release both buttons and your iPhone will restart. |
What If It Doesn’t Work?
If the above steps don’t work, you can try connecting your iPhone to a charger and then repeating the steps. If your iPhone still doesn’t turn off, you may need to visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider.
Important Note:
Forcing your iPhone to restart shouldn’t be your first step for troubleshooting. It should only be used when your screen is completely unresponsive, and you can’t use the normal shutdown method.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold side button and volume button.
- Use settings to enable AssistiveTouch.
- Turning off the iPhone is still possible without a working screen.
Standard Methods for Powering Off an iPhone
An iPhone can be turned off using physical buttons or by using accessibility features. Each method provides a different way to power down the device without using the touch screen.
Using Physical Buttons
For iPhone models like the iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone XS, there is no Home button. To turn them off, press and hold both the Side button and any Volume button until you see the “slide to power off” option. Slide to turn off the iPhone.
For models like the iPhone 8, you need to press and hold the Side button until the “slide to power off” slider appears. On older models with a Home button, simply hold the Power button located on the top or side until you see the slider.
In all cases, if the screen is not responsive, press and hold the necessary buttons until the iPhone powers off automatically.
Utilizing Accessibility Features
Accessibility features on iPhones can help users turn off the device without using the touch screen. AssistiveTouch creates a virtual button on the screen. To enable it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on.
Once on, tap the virtual AssistiveTouch button and navigate through the menus: Device > More > Restart. This command will restart the iPhone, effectively turning it off and back on.
There is also an Accessibility Shortcut feature for quick access, which can be configured in Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. Choose AssistiveTouch as one of the options to quickly activate it by triple-clicking the Side or Home button.
Advanced Solutions for Non-Responsive Screens
For advanced issues with non-responsive iPhone screens, various solutions can help. These methods focus on more technical approaches like force restarting, restoring via iTunes or Finder, or seeking help from Apple Support.
Performing a Force Restart
A force restart can fix many common issues with an unresponsive screen. This method varies slightly depending on the iPhone model. For iPhone 8 and later, press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, and finally, hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, press and hold both the volume down and side buttons until the Apple logo shows. For iPhone 6s and earlier, hold both the home button and the side or top button.
A force restart does not erase any data but can resolve temporary glitches.
Restoring iPhone via iTunes or Finder
Sometimes, a more thorough solution is required. Connecting the iPhone to a computer and using iTunes (on Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) to restore the device can work. Connect the iPhone to the computer using a lightning cable.
Open iTunes or Finder and select the iPhone. Click Restore iPhone. This method installs a fresh version of iOS, potentially solving serious issues but may erase data. Back up data before proceeding.
Contacting Apple Support for Assistance
If other steps fail, professional help might be necessary. Contacting Apple Support can provide further troubleshooting steps or hardware inspection. Apple Support can be reached via their website or through the Apple Support app.
They may suggest bringing the device to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider for a detailed check. This ensures no further damage and keeps data secure. Siri and voice control can also help to perform some actions while waiting for support.
