How to Turn Off an iPhone Without Touching the Screen

Sometimes, an iPhone’s screen stops working, and the only way to fix it is to turn off the phone. This might sound tricky, but there are easy ways to do it. One simple method is to press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, and finally hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This forces the iPhone to restart without needing to touch the screen.

Another way to turn off an iPhone with a broken screen is using the AssistiveTouch feature. By enabling AssistiveTouch before the screen stops working, users can access touch commands through an on-screen menu. This feature is very helpful if the physical buttons also stop working.

For those who need to turn off their iPhone without touching the screen and don’t have AssistiveTouch enabled, using physical buttons is the best option. This method works on various iPhone models and helps ensure the device can be reset even if the screen is unresponsive.

How to Turn Off an iPhone Without Touching the Screen

If your iPhone screen is frozen, black, or unresponsive, you can still power it off using physical buttons or external tools. Apple has built-in hardware shortcuts for exactly this kind of situation.

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⚙️ Method 1: Use Button Combinations (For Most iPhones)

📱 For iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd gen), X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and newer:

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button (right side) until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.

➡️ This performs a force restart, but you can also hold the Side button a few seconds longer after the screen goes black to turn the phone off completely (instead of restarting).

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📱 For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

1. Press and hold the Volume Down + Power (Side) buttons simultaneously.
2. Keep holding until the screen goes black.
3. Release both buttons once the Apple logo appears or the device powers down.

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📱 For iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen), and earlier:

1. Press and hold the Home + Power (Top or Side) buttons together.
2. Keep holding until the screen turns black and the Apple logo appears or the phone shuts off.

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⚡ Method 2: Let the Battery Drain

If the buttons don’t work or you can’t use them:

1. Leave the iPhone unplugged until the battery completely drains.
2. When it shuts off automatically, you can later charge and restart it.

This method takes longer but is safe if your screen is entirely unresponsive.

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💻 Method 3: Use a Computer (Finder or iTunes)

If your buttons don’t respond or you prefer a software method:

1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or Windows PC (iTunes).
2. Wait for the device to appear on your computer.
3. Choose your iPhone → click Restore or Update.
   • If prompted, you can also shut down the device from recovery mode.

This method can also help if your iPhone is stuck or frozen during an update.

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🧰 Method 4: Use Accessibility Settings (If Screen Works Intermittently)

If your touchscreen works occasionally, you can enable AssistiveTouch for easier control next time.

1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → AssistiveTouch → turn it on.
2. Tap the floating AssistiveTouch button → Device → More → Restart or Shut Down.

This adds a virtual button to turn off your iPhone without using physical buttons.

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🪫 Method 5: Disconnect from Power and Accessories

If your iPhone is frozen and won’t respond:

• Unplug it from any charger, cable, or accessory.
• Remove any case that might press buttons.
• Then try the force restart method again.

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🧠 Pro Tip: Identify Your iPhone Model

If you’re unsure which iPhone you have, check the model number on the back or go to Apple’s Identify iPhone Page.

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✅ Summary Table

iPhone Model	Button Combination	Result
iPhone 8 – 15	Vol Up → Vol Down → Hold Side	Force restart / power off
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus	Hold Vol Down + Side	Force restart / power off
iPhone 6s or earlier	Hold Home + Power	Force restart / power off
Any model (no buttons)	Let battery drain	Auto shutdown

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🧯 If Nothing Works

If your iPhone still won’t turn off or respond, it may have a hardware fault or a severe software crash.
You can:

• Connect it to a computer and use Recovery Mode to restore.
• Or contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for service.

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References

• Apple Support: Force Restart Your iPhone
• iPhoneTonic: How to Turn Off iPhone Without Screen (2025)
• TechStory: Power Off iPhone Without Touching Screen
• SolveYourTech: Turn Off iPhone Without Screen Guide

Key Takeaways

• Use the volume and side buttons to force a restart if the screen is unresponsive.
• Enable AssistiveTouch for on-screen control if physical buttons stop working.
• Physical button methods work on different iPhone models.

Methods for Turning Off an iPhone Without Using the Touch Screen

Users can turn off their iPhones even if the touch screen is not working. These methods provide alternatives through physical buttons, accessibility features, and other ways.

Using Physical Buttons

On models like iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 14, you can turn off the device using the side and volume buttons. Press and hold the side button along with either volume button. Wait until the power-off slider appears.

For older models such as the iPhone SE and iPhone 8, press and hold the top or side button. Make sure to follow the same process until the screen goes black.

If the screen remains unresponsive, holding the buttons longer ensures a complete shutdown.

Utilizing Accessibility Features

iPhones offer accessibility options like AssistiveTouch. This feature can help turn off the device without using the touch screen.

First, activate AssistiveTouch from the Settings menu:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Open Accessibility.
3. Select Touch.
4. Enable AssistiveTouch.

A floating button will appear on the screen. You can use it to access the “Device” menu and select “Lock Screen”. Then, use the physical buttons to turn off the phone.

AssistiveTouch is helpful for models like the iPhone X and newer.

Performing a Forced Restart

A forced restart can power off the iPhone without touching the screen. This method is useful for resolving software issues.

For the iPhone 8 and newer models:

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

For earlier models, like the iPhone 6 or SE:

1. Press and hold both the Home and Top (or Side) buttons at the same time.
2. Release the buttons when the Apple logo shows.

The phone will restart without needing the touch screen.

Alternative Methods

There are other ways to turn off an iPhone when the screen is not working.

One way is using voice commands with Siri. Activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or pressing the side button. Then, say “Turn off my iPhone”.

You can also use iTunes if you have a USB cable and a computer. Connect the iPhone to the computer, open iTunes, and follow the steps to restore the device. This process will restart the phone.

These methods are particularly useful for the latest models such as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.