How to Force Restart iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

A force restart can recover an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max when the screen is frozen, touch input does not work, or the phone will not respond to the normal power-off controls. The sequence uses both volume buttons and the Side button in a precise order.

Apple’s force-restart instructions use the same sequence for Face ID iPhones: quickly press Volume Up, quickly press Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. A force restart does not erase your apps, photos, or settings.

Use this procedure only when a normal restart is not practical. If the screen and controls still work, turning the iPhone off normally gives apps and the operating system a cleaner shutdown.

Force restart an iPhone 18 Pro model

Timing matters. The first two presses are quick taps, not holds, and the Side button must remain pressed even if the power slider or a dark screen appears.

Use the hardware-button sequence

This method works on both iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max and does not require access to Settings or the touchscreen.

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Immediately press and hold the Side button.
4. Keep holding the Side button while the screen changes.
5. Release the Side button only when the Apple logo appears, then wait for iOS to start.

Try a normal restart when the screen responds

A normal restart is the better first choice for minor lag, audio problems, or an app issue when the controls still work.

1. Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the sliders appear.
2. Drag the Power Off slider and wait for the screen to turn fully black.
3. Wait about 30 seconds.
4. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

Respond when the iPhone stays black

A discharged battery can look like a failed force restart. Give the phone time to charge before repeating the sequence.

1. Connect the iPhone to a known-working USB-C cable and suitable power adapter.
2. Check the cable, adapter, and charging port for an obvious connection problem.
3. Leave the phone charging for at least 30 minutes if a low-battery image appears, or up to one hour if the screen remains black.
4. Repeat the force-restart sequence once.
5. Request Apple service if the phone still does not start or shows signs of physical damage.

For related troubleshooting and background, see our guide to reported iOS 27 problems and working fixes.

Tips

The most common failure is holding the volume buttons instead of pressing and releasing them quickly.

• Complete the Volume Up and Volume Down taps in order before holding the Side button.
• Ignore the power slider during a force restart and keep holding the Side button.
• Remove a tight case if it prevents a button from clicking fully.
• Do not repeatedly force restart a phone that is installing an iOS update unless it is clearly unresponsive for an extended period.
• Back up the iPhone after it recovers if freezes or unexpected restarts continue.

FAQs

Will a force restart delete my data?

No. It interrupts and restarts the operating system but does not intentionally erase the device. Unsaved work in the frozen app may be lost because the app cannot close normally.

How is a force restart different from a factory reset?

A force restart only reboots the phone. A factory reset erases content and settings, so the two procedures have completely different consequences.

Why does Siri open instead of the phone restarting?

The Volume Up and Volume Down taps may not have registered in the correct order. Release every button, then repeat the two quick presses before holding the Side button.

What should I do if the Apple logo keeps appearing and disappearing?

Keep the phone connected to power and try Apple’s recovery guidance using a Mac or PC. A repeated startup loop can indicate corrupted software or a hardware problem that a force restart alone cannot fix.