How to Force Restart iPhone 16 Devices

Every Apple iPhone model is known for its powerful processor that promises a fast, seamless performance.

And the iPhone 16 is no exception, with a new A18 chip that boosts battery life and facilitates Apple Intelligence, the technology giant's leap into the world of AI. Its 6-core CPU also runs 30% faster than the older A16 Bionic and delivers stunning graphics that are perfect for gaming.

However, with all great new tech comes the risk of failure. Too many apps open at once, low storage space, or software glitches can cause your iPhone 16 to completely freeze up. So, what's the solution?

A force restart, of course! This cuts off the power supply and resets your device at the hardware level, rather than simply closing software to fix the issue.

But with Apple changing button placements and switching up designs, force restarts work differently on each new model. Keep reading as we explain how to perform this process on all devices in the latest iPhone range, including the standard 16, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models.

Is Force Restart Different from a Regular Restart?

Also known as a 'soft reset', a regular restart is the standard way to switch your iPhone 16 off and on. This completely resets all apps and should be your go-to solution before trying a force restart.

The soft reset is a more straightforward method, too; simply press the side button that you'd use to lock the screen at the same time as one of the volume buttons. Then, drag the power off slider that appears on the display.

Wondering how to turn your iPhone 16 back on? Press and hold that same side button until the Apple logo appears – and that's how you'll know that your device is working just as it should.

Things can get a bit trickier if your iPhone isn't responding to the usual 'on/off' reset, which is where the force restart comes in handy. We'll explain exactly how to do this in the next section.

Of course, you can also perform a factory reset of the device. This completely erases all data while restoring an unresponsive iPhone 16, taking it back to the original settings. So you'll want to be 100% sure that there's no photos, contact numbers, or important contact information that's at risk of getting lost before going down this route.

Factory resets are usually done just before selling or trading in an iPhone to keep your personal info private. Use this method only as a last resort and try a soft reset first for an unresponsive iPhone, followed by a force restart.

How to Restart Your iPhone 16

It can be incredibly frustrating when your iPhone 16 freezes or becomes stuck on the Apple logo screen. A hard or force restart is your best bet if you've exhausted all other solutions.

Why? Because it interrupts power flow and stops all processes, which means your phone has no choice but to completely reset itself. Here's how to do it:

1. First, quickly press and release the volume up button. You'll find this on the left side of your iPhone 16.
2. Then repeat this step with the volume down button.
3. Next, press and hold the side power button. Release this button when the Apple logo appears and your device will spring back into action!

This method should work on devices that support the iOS 16 operating system or later. So give this a go if you've got the iPhone 8 or a newer model, including the iPhone 16!

However, we know that things don't always go right, particularly when it comes to technology. If the Apple logo appears but gets stuck, or a red or blue screen takes over during start-up, you might need to restart your iPhone another way. Simply:

1. Plug the device into a computer and select your iPhone.
2. Perform the same force restart button press steps we've already covered.
3. Press and hold the buttons until the recovery mode screen appears.
4. You'll then have the option to either Update or Restore; choose Update. This ensures that your iPhone 16 is running on the latest iOS operating system.
5. Your computer will then begin the update. The iPhone may exit recovery mode if this update takes more than 15 minutes, so you may have to repeat the force restart stage.

Can I Restart My iPhone 16 Another Way?

Did you know that an iPhone 16 can be restarted with just your voice? If you're in a rush or going hands-free, try Siri!

Since the introduction of iOS 16, you can tackle any issues by rebooting your device with voice command. And because the iPhone 16 comes with iOS 18, you can easily enjoy the convenience of this feature. The process is simple – to reset a frozen iPhone 16:

1. First ensure that Siri is enabled in your phone's settings. Then say "Hey Siri."
2. Say "Restart iPhone" when it asks for your command and respond with "Yes" for confirmation. Your iPhone should then restart!

Is it Bad to Hard Reset an iPhone 16?

Technically, yes; while force restart does work on a frozen or unresponsive iPhone 16, you shouldn't rely on this method all the time.

A hard restart turns off all power to the device's logic board for a split second, which interrupts its operating system. But why is this bad? Sudden interruptions can corrupt files within the Apple system, meaning you could potentially lose app data and precious photos.

Nowadays, Apple devices are built with safeguards that prevent file corruption. So, the good news is that you won't need to worry too much about harming your iPhone 16 with a hard reset!

Protect Your iPhone 16 with a Shockproof Case

What's just as crucial as preventing internal corruption for your iPhone 16 is keeping the external hardware damage-free.

At Ghostek, our iPhone 16 cases are specially built to maintain your device's long lifespan. We combine best-in-class engineering and sleek design to offer both style and protection, with a range of slim and shockproof models in clear and vibrant patterns.

Enjoy complete peace of mind thanks to military-grade drop protection, shock-absorbing R7x technology, raised camera lens protectors, and built-in tempered glass for the delicate display too. So, you know your phone will always be in safe hands with a Ghostek case.

Shop the full collection of rugged phone case models for the iPhone SE series and beyond today on the Ghostek website.