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How to Force Restart a Frozen iPhone or Android Phone
Applies to: iOS, Android
Article Type: Troubleshooting
Last Updated: 2026-07-10
Summary
This article guides you through performing a force restart on a frozen or unresponsive iPhone or Android device. This process forcibly reboots the hardware without deleting your apps or data.
Symptoms
- The screen is frozen and does not respond to touch.
- The phone will not turn off using the normal power menu.
- The screen is black, but the phone still vibrates or makes sounds.
Prerequisites
None required.
Instructions
1. Force restart an iPhone (iPhone 8 or newer)
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button (Power button) until the Apple logo appears (this can take up to 15 seconds).
2. Force restart an Android phone (Samsung, Google Pixel)
- Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time.
- Continue holding both buttons for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes black and the manufacturer's logo appears.
Troubleshooting
WARNING
If your phone frequently freezes, it may be running out of storage space or have a failing battery. Check your storage capacity in the settings menu.
| Symptom / Error | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Phone stays black and won't restart | Dead battery | Plug the phone into a wall charger and wait 30 minutes before trying again. |
| Buttons are stuck or physically broken | Hardware damage | Submit an IT support ticket for a repair or device replacement. |