Welcome to Solved Radar If you are reading this, chances are you are staring at a glowing Apple logo on your iPhone that just won’t go away. Your phone might be flashing, turning off, and restarting all on its own.
We know exactly how terrifying this is. Your first thought is probably about all the precious photos, messages, and important files trapped inside. You might even be worrying about how much an expensive repair shop is going to charge you.
Take a deep breath. You are not alone, this is one of the most common iPhone issues in the world. And the best part? You can usually fix it right from your couch in about 5 minutes, without losing any of your data.
Let’s walk through the exact steps to bring your phone back to life. It’s so easy, anyone can do it!
Why is My iPhone Acting Like This?
Think of your iPhone like a mini-computer. Sometimes, its brain just gets a little confused while waking up. When a phone gets stuck on the Apple logo, it usually happens because of these simple reasons:
A broken update: Sometimes your phone turns off right in the middle of an iOS update usually because the battery died. This leaves the phone confused about what to do next.
No space left: If your phone’s storage is completely packed with videos and apps, it struggles to turn on because it has no room to “breathe.”
A bad fall or water: A hard drop or even a tiny splash of water can mess up the inside parts over time.
The Magic Fix: The Force Restart
The absolute best way to fix this is called a “Force Restart.” It is basically like giving your phone a safe, gentle shake to wake it up. This will not delete your photos or data.
How you do this depends on which iPhone you have. Find your model below and follow the steps:
For newer iPhones iPhone 8, X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16:
Quickly press and let go of the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and let go of the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Power button on the side. Keep holding it tight for about 10 seconds! Only let go when the Apple logo disappears and comes back again.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button at the very same time.
Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo pop up on the screen again.
For older iPhones iPhone 6s and older:
Press and hold the round Home button at the bottom and the Power button together.
Keep holding them until you see the Apple logo.
What if it didn’t work on the first try?
Don’t panic! Sometimes the phone is just being extra stubborn. Try these two extra steps:
1. Give it Some Power
Your battery might be completely empty without you knowing. Plug your iPhone into the wall with a good charger and leave it alone for 30 minutes. After it has some juice, try the “Force Restart” steps from above one more time while it is still plugged in.
2. The Computer Trick Recovery Mode
If the Apple logo has been stuck on your screen for over an hour, you might need a computer to help give it a push.
Plug your phone into a Mac or Windows computer using your charging cable.
Do the exact same button presses from the “Force Restart” step above.
But this time, keep holding the buttons even after you see the Apple logo. Don’t let go until you see a picture of a cable pointing to a computer on your screen.
On your computer screen, a message will pop up asking if you want to “Update” or “Restore.” Click Update. Your computer will try to fix the phone’s software without erasing your personal stuff.
Note: If absolutely nothing works, a physical part inside the phone might be broken. That is when you should take it to an Apple Store or an expert so they can take a look inside!
