How do I restart my phone when it freezes, slows down, or stops responding properly?
The answer depends on whether you use an iPhone, Samsung, or another Android model, since the button combinations can vary. A normal restart can clear temporary software issues without deleting your saved data, while a force restart helps when the screen no longer responds.
This guide explains the correct method for each major phone type.
1. Restart vs Force Restart: Which One Do You Need?
A normal restart uses the phone’s power menu and allows the operating system to close apps before rebooting. Use this method when the phone still responds but feels slow, an app is behaving unexpectedly, or a setting is not working correctly.
A force restart uses hardware buttons and is intended for a frozen or unresponsive device. It does not normally erase saved apps, photos, messages, or settings, but any unsaved work inside an open app may be lost.
Try a normal restart first whenever the screen and controls still work. Use a force restart only when you cannot access the regular power menu.
2. Restarting on an iPhone
The steps depend on which iPhone model you have. Newer iPhones without a home button use a different button combination than older models.
Here is a general how do I restart my phone for iPhones:
| iPhone X and newer (no home button) | Hold the Side button and either Volume button. Drag the power-off slider, wait about 30 seconds, and then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE 2nd/3rd generation | Hold the Side button. Drag the slider, wait about 30 seconds, and then hold the Side button to turn the phone back on. |
| iPhone SE 1st generation, iPhone 5, or earlier | Hold the Top button. Drag the slider, wait about 30 seconds, and then hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears. |
3. How Do I Restart My Samsung Phone
Samsung phones offer three ways of how do I restart my phone, depending on whether you prefer using buttons, the touch screen, or voice commands.
| Button method | Using Quick Settings | Using Bixby |
| -Hold the Volume Down and Side or Power buttons together. -Release them when the power menu appears. -Tap Restart, then tap Restart again to confirm. | -Swipe down twice from the top of the screen. -Tap the Power icon. Select Restart and confirm. | When Bixby is available and configured, say: “Hi, Bixby, restart my phone.” The exact options may differ slightly by Galaxy model and software version. |
>>> Read more: How to Restart Samsung Phone: Normal and Force Restart.
4. How Do I Restart My Android Phone
Android restart controls vary by manufacturer and model. So if you want to learn how do I restart my phone, take notice in these built:
Google Pixel
- Pixel 6 and later: Hold Power and Volume Up for a few seconds, then tap Restart.
- Pixel 5a and earlier: Hold the Power button to open the power menu, then tap Restart.
Motorola and Other Android Phones
Many models open the power menu when you hold the Power button. Some use Power with a Volume button instead, particularly when holding Power launches a digital assistant.
If the usual method does not work, check the manufacturer’s support instructions for your exact model rather than trying random button combinations.
5. Force Restart a Frozen Phone
Beside knowing how do I restart my phone, if your phone screen is frozen or unresponsive, a force restart reboots the device without needing to touch the screen. This does not delete any data. It simply forces the phone to shut down and start fresh.
| Device | Steps |
| iPhone 8 or later, including SE 2nd/3rd generation | Quickly press Volume Up, quickly press Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPhone 7 or 7 Plus | Hold the Side and Volume Down buttons until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPhone 6s or earlier, including SE 1st generation | Hold the Home button and the Side or Top button until the Apple logo appears. |
| Samsung Galaxy | Hold Volume Down and the Side or Power button until the screen turns off and the Samsung logo appears. |
| Google Pixel | Hold the Power button for up to 60 seconds and release it when the Google logo appears. |
| Motorola | Hold the Power button for approximately 10–20 seconds. |
The instructions may vary on other Android brands. A force restart is different from a factory reset: restarting reboots the operating system, while a factory reset erases personal data and returns the phone to its original settings.
6. What If Restarting Does Not Fix the Problem?
If a restart or force restart does not resolve the issue, a few other steps are worth trying before assuming it is a hardware problem.
- Install available system and app updates.
- Check whether the phone is nearly out of storage.
- Remove or disable an app that was installed shortly before the issue began.
- Let the phone cool if it is unusually hot.
- Test another charging cable and adapter if the phone shuts down or will not start.
- Use Safe Mode when available to check whether a downloaded app is causing the problem.
- Contact the manufacturer, carrier, or an authorized repair provider if the device remains frozen or repeatedly restarts.
Be careful with reset options. Resetting network settings changes saved connection information, while a factory reset erases the phone.
>>> Read more: Why Is My Phone So Slow? Easy Fixes
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does restarting my phone delete anything?
No. A normal or force restart does not normally erase saved apps, photos, messages, or settings. However, unsaved work in an open app may be lost when the phone reboots.
Q2. How often should I restart my phone?
There is no required schedule. Restart the phone when it becomes slow, unresponsive, or experiences a temporary software problem. An occasional restart is fine, but restarting every week is not necessary for every device.
Q3. What is the difference between restart and force restart?
A normal restart uses the power menu and allows the operating system to shut down properly. A force restart uses hardware buttons when the screen or software is unresponsive. Neither method is the same as a factory reset.
Conclusion
Restarting is often the simplest first step when a phone becomes slow, glitchy, or unresponsive.
When asking how do I restart my phone, begin with the regular power menu whenever the device still works, and use the correct force-restart buttons only when necessary.
Neither option normally erases your stored data, but ongoing freezing or unexpected shutdowns may require software updates, app troubleshooting, or professional support.
