Turning Off Your iPhone: Why Apple Made It Harder
Turning off your iPhone. Sounds simple. Yet, thousands of Dutch people fumble with buttons every day. Volume up, volume down, holding down the side button. Nothing works as expected. But here's the surprise: Apple has deliberately made it different than you might think. No single button turns your phone off anymore. It's become a combination, a specific action that Apple deliberately made complicated. Why? To prevent you from accidentally turning your phone off in your pocket. Or from children turning your iPhone off without a second thought. The system works perfectly—once you know how. And whether you have a brand new device or a refurbished one , this method remains exactly the same. In fact, it only gets easier once you get the hang of it.
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- iPhone accessories - for optimal use of your device
- Refurbished iPhones - sustainable alternatives with the same functionality
The Different Methods to Turn Off Your iPhone
Turning off an iPhone varies greatly by model. Since the introduction of the iPhone X without a Home button, Apple has completely revised the method. On older models with a Home button, you simply press and hold the power button on the top or side. On newer models without a Home button, you use a button combination.
For iPhone X and later, use the following technique: simultaneously press the side button (right) and a volume button (left). Hold these buttons for about two seconds until the power off screen appears. This system prevents accidental power off in your pocket or bag.
Why Apple Changed the Process
The change wasn't unexpected. Apple discovered that users were often accidentally turning off their phones, especially when they were in pockets or handbags. Requiring a button combination drastically reduced this problem. It also prevents children from accidentally turning off their devices while playing.
Step by Step: Turn Off iPhone with Face ID
For models from iPhone X up to and including the latest versions, the following procedure applies:
- Locate the side button on the right side of your device
- Find one of the volume buttons on the left side
- Press and hold both buttons at the same time
- Wait for the slide-out menu to appear (about 2 seconds)
- Swipe the red slider from left to right
- Your screen goes black and the device turns off completely
Note: Releasing before the menu appears only activates a screenshot. So keep holding the buttons long enough.
Disable older models with home button
Do you have an iPhone 8, SE (2nd generation), or older model? Then the process is different. These devices still have the classic home button below the screen. Turning it off is simpler here:
- Find the power button (top on iPhone 5S and older, right on iPhone 6 and later)
- Hold this button for about 3 seconds
- The deployment screen will appear automatically
- Slide the red button to the right
- The device switches off within a few seconds
Alternative method via settings
Are the physical buttons no longer working properly? Or are you finding the button combination difficult? Then there's an alternative solution via the settings menu. This method works on all iPhone models, regardless of age or type.
First, open the Settings app (the gray gear icon). Scroll to "General" and tap it. At the very bottom, you'll find the "Power Off" option. After tapping, the same red slide-out menu appears as with the button method. Slide to the right, and your phone will turn off.
When turning off your iPhone makes sense
Switching off your device daily isn't necessary, but it is advisable in certain situations. For example, during air travel, especially during takeoff and landing. Switching it off completely also prevents unwanted interruptions in cinemas, theaters, or during important meetings.
For technical issues, a restart often works wonders. App crashes, slow performance, or battery problems often disappear after turning your phone off and on again. Experts recommend restarting your device at least once a week for optimal performance.
Extend battery life by switching off smartly
Are you not going to use your phone for an extended period? Turning it off will save a significant amount of battery. Think of nights when you need to be unreachable, vacations without a network, or periods of digital detox. A powered-off iPhone uses no energy, while airplane mode still requires minimal power.
For shorter periods, sleep mode is usually sufficient. You activate it by briefly pressing the side button once. The screen turns off, but the device remains active in the background. Notifications still come through, and the alarm works normally.
Troubleshooting Turning Off
Sometimes your iPhone won't respond to the standard power-off method. This happens mainly with software crashes or when the screen is frozen. In these cases, use a forced restart.
For newer models (iPhone 8 and later), this works as follows: briefly press the volume up button, immediately followed by a brief press of the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This takes about 10 seconds. The device will restart automatically.
On older models with a Home button, press and hold the Home button and the Power button simultaneously. After about 10 seconds, the Apple logo will appear and the device will restart.
AssistiveTouch as an aid
People with motor disabilities or broken buttons can use AssistiveTouch. This accessibility feature places a virtual button on your screen. This button allows you to access all physical button functions, including disabling them.
Enable AssistiveTouch in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. Turn it on, and a floating button will appear. Tap it, go to "Device," and select "Hold Screen Lock." The power-off menu will appear without using any physical buttons.
Tips for safe shutdown
Make sure important processes are finished before switching off. Downloads, updates, or syncing may be interrupted. Wait until these are finished or pause them manually.
First, close all apps properly using the app switcher. Swipe up from the bottom (or double-tap the Home button) and swipe apps up to close them. This prevents data loss and ensures a cleaner restart.
Keep your iPhone at room temperature while turning it off. Extreme temperatures can affect the startup process. Let a hot or ice-cold device acclimatize before turning it off or on.
Conclusion: Turning off your iPhone becomes easy with the right knowledge
Turning off your iPhone is less complicated than it seems. Whether you use the button combination on newer models or the single button on older devices, it's all about knowing the right technique. Alternative routes via settings or AssistiveTouch offer a solution when the buttons are stuck. Don't forget that restarting your device weekly keeps it running smoothly, and turning it off during longer breaks saves battery life. With this knowledge at your fingertips, you'll never have to struggle with an iPhone that won't turn off again.
