iPhone 17

• To restart your iPhone 17, press and hold down the Power and Volume buttons until a slider appears on-screen.
• If restarting doesn’t work, you can "force restart" your iPhone 17 by pressing Volume Up, Volume Down, and then Power.
• As a last resort, you can fix almost any glitch by resetting your iPhone 17.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

It might sound like a joke, but it’s true: You can fix most tech problems by turning your device off and back on again.

If you run into a weird glitch on your iPhone 17 — maybe the sound won’t work, or apps keep crashing, or you can’t make calls — your first step should be to perform a quick restart. This will refresh the software on your iPhone 17 and likely fix whatever’s gone wrong.

And if your iPhone 17 is so bugged that you can’t even restart it, a force restart works just as well. This method "forces" your iPhone to turn off, even if it’s frozen.

Here’s how to restart or force restart an iPhone 17 — and what to do if restarting doesn’t fix the issue.

How to restart an iPhone 17

The steps to restart an iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are the same.

1. Press and hold both the Power button and either of the Volume buttons.
2. When a slider labeled slide to power off appears at the top of the screen, drag it to the right.
3. Wait a few moments for the iPhone to completely turn off and for the screen to go black.
4. Press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.

How to force restart an iPhone 17

When your iPhone 17 freezes, it might not even be able to show you the power slider. In this case, you’ll need to "force" your iPhone 17 to restart.

Don’t worry — this won’t harm your iPhone at all. Just beware that if you were working on a project, this will likely erase any unsaved data.

Again, the steps are the same for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Upbutton.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release the Sidebutton.

During this process, you will see a slider to power off the ‌iPhone‌. You’re going to want to ignore it and continue holding down the Side button until the screen goes black. At that point, the Apple logo will pop up, and after the restart is complete, the screen will activate once again.

How to Reset an iPhone 17

If you’ve restarted and force restarted your iPhone 17 but it’s still not working, there’s a deeper issue at play. Some files or pieces of software might be corrupted, meaning that they’ll always cause an issue.

Your best chance at fixing these issues is to give your iPhone 17 a factory reset. A factory reset will erase all of the data on your iPhone 17 and return it to the state it was in when you first bought it, as if it just left the factory. This might sound extreme, but it’s a fantastic way to fix nearly any software issue. The factory reset your iPhone 17, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content & Settings.

While you might be eager to explore new iOS 26 features, mastering the basics of your iPhone 17 is equally important. Even simple tasks like powering down your device might feel different from previous models, especially if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Whether you need to conserve battery life, troubleshoot an issue, or simply restart your device, Apple has made the process of shutting down an iPhone 17 straightforward with multiple shutdown methods. For those new to the latest generation of iPhones, these methods are designed to be more intuitive and accessible than ever, even if they feel unfamiliar at first.

The Difference between Sleep Mode and Shutting Down

Normally, when you briefly press the side button on your iPhone 17, the screen on your device turns off, but the iPhone stays running. This is called sleep mode or lock mode. While it turns off the screen, it doesn’t completely power off the device.

In contrast, shutting down your iPhone starts a special software shutdown process where your iPhone begins to tidy up and prepare for power-off. Then, your iPhone turns off completely. We’re going to show you how to completely turn off an iPhone 17 in the steps ahead.

How to turn off iPhone 17

You can shut down your iPhone 17 using four different methods. These methods take just seconds to complete once you know how. Let’s explore the simplest ways to turn off your iPhone 17.

1. How to Shut Down an iPhone 17 Using Physical Buttons

The quickest way to turn off your iPhone 17 is using the physical buttons. Press and hold the side button and either volume button simultaneously until you see the power off slider appear on screen.

Simply drag the slider from left to right, and your iPhone 16 will begin its shutdown process.

2. How to Shut Down an iPhone 17 Using the Settings App

If you prefer using the touchscreen, you can also turn off your iPhone 17 through Settings. Navigate to Settings, tap General, scroll down to find Shut Down, then drag the power off slider to complete the process.

This method is particularly useful if your physical buttons aren’t working properly.

3. How to Shut Down an iPhone 17 Through The Control Center

If you want to shut down your iPhone 17 without holding any physical buttons. All you’ve to do is swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Control Center and press and hold (then release) the power button for a second. Next, drag the familiar power slider to turn off your iPhone 17.

4. Shut down iPhone 17 Using Siri

If you need to turn off your iPhone 17 quickly at any time, the easiest way to do so is by using Siri. All you need to do is say, "Hey Siri, turn off my iPhone." Siri should respond with a confirmation, asking, "Just to confirm, you want to power off this device?" Then, tapping on the turn-off button shuts down your iPhone 17 right away.

How to Turn Your iPhone 17 Back on Again

Now that your iPhone 17 has been turned off, what next? If you’re troubleshooting, you can wait a few moments, and then turn it back on again. Waiting 10 seconds is a good rule of thumb when power-cycling gadgets in general.

If you wanted to save power, then you’re already set: Your iPhone won’t use any battery power while it’s powered off. (But batteries naturally and slowly drain over time, so if you put your iPhone in a drawer and come back to it in a year, its battery level will be a bit lower than you left it.)

To turn your iPhone 17 back on, just press and hold the side button on your iPhone until the Apple logo appears. After a few moments, you’ll see the lock screen, and you’re back in action.

Manage your always-on display

Your iPhone 17 comes with an Always-On display feature enabled by default. If you want to conserve battery without fully shutting down, you can turn this off by going to Settings, Display & Brightness and toggling off the Always On Display option. Good luck!

It’s normal for the iPhone 17 to have a hiccup now and then. Fortunately, you can often resolve the problem at home without any cost. The solution is to soft reset your iPhone 17.

Let’s first quickly look at what an iPhone soft reset does. Then, we’ll go through the steps on how to soft reset an iPhone 17.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

What Is an iPhone Soft Reset?

A soft reset is also known as a force restart. A soft reset differs from a "normal" restart. The latter simply involves turning off your iPhone and turning it on again.

Take note that a soft reset also differs from a hard reset. When you hard reset or factory reset your iPhone, the procedure erases your iPhone’s data and restores your device to its blank, default state, as though you just bought it.

You’ll likely soft reset your iPhone 17 when it’s completely frozen. For example, when your iPhone 17 is stuck on the Apple logo. A soft reset does not erase any data.

How to Soft Reset an iPhone 17

Follow these steps to soft reset your iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max:

1. Press the Volume Up button once and release it.
2. Press the Volume Down button once and release it.
3. Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. You can now release the Side button.

It’s important to press each button in immediate succession. However, you don’t need to rush through the steps urgently. Pacing it at one button per second is sufficient.

Carry Out an iPhone 17 Soft Reset Easily

Whenever you face issues with your device, a quick go-to solution is to simply soft reset your iPhone 17. The methods are similar on iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and they’re easy to carry out once you know the steps.

However, if the problem persists, you might need to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode and reinstall iOS. Just don’t forget to back up all your data before you do that.

See also: How to Put Your iPhone 17 in DFU Mode

• DFU mode is a way to recover your iPhone using a computer.
• To put an iPhone 17 into DFU mode, you’ll need to use either iTunes or Finder.

Most of the faults your iPhone 17 software will develop can be solved with a few tricks or by resetting it using Recovery mode. On rare occasions, however, those options may not work. Before you search for the nearest Apple repair center, you should try to restore your iPhone 17 using DFU mode instead.

In this article, we’ll check out how to put your iPhone 17 in DFU mode and also how to exit this mode.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

What Is DFU Mode?

Device Firmware Update mode — or DFU mode for short — is a state that an iPhone can be put in to get your device back into working order.

DFU mode is similar to the BIOS on Windows computers or Recovery Mode on a Mac. It exists "below" the operating system level — iOS — but can still communicate with iTunes or Finder on a Windows or Mac computer.

In DFU mode, your iOS device is accessible to iTunes or Finder at a more privileged level. This allows for more to be changed than normal. However, going into DFU mode on its own does not change anything on the iPhone.

Quick tip: DFU mode can be useful for installing older versions of iOS if a beta release does not allow you to install an update.

Does DFU Mode Delete iPhone Data?

Unfortunately, if you use this mode to install something or restore your iPhone 17, all of your iPhone’s data will be erased. This works similarly to the iTunes restore method, which also deletes all of your data.

It completely erases your iPhone, erasing all of your videos, photos, messages, apps, and even the previously configured settings. When you’re finished with this mode, you’ll have to reset your device to use it. We recommend backing up your files before entering DFU mode, then restoring them after the process.

Put an iPhone 17 in DFU mode

To put an iPhone 17 into DFU mode, follow the steps below.

Before you begin:

• Back up your iPhone if you can, as a DFU restore will erase your iPhone data.
• Install the latest version of iTunes or macOS on your Windows or Mac.
• Do not disconnect your iPhone when iTunes or Finder is actively reinstalling the system software and firmware.
• If your iPhone 17 is damaged in any way, and especially if it’s water-damaged, a DFU restore may break your iPhone.

It is necessary to note that using DFU mode to downgrade iOS or jailbreak your device can cause damage and void the warranty.

Entering DFU mode on an iPhone 17 involves a combination of pressing, holding, and releasing different buttons. You will also need a compatible USB cable to connect the device to a Mac or a Windows PC running the latest version of macOS or iTunes.

Important: Macs running macOS Catalina and later will use Finder. PCs and Macs running macOS Mojave or earlier will need iTunes.
3.

Follow these steps to enter DFU mode on an iPhone 17:

1. Quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button until the screen goes black.
2. As soon as the screen turns black, press and hold the volume down button while continuing to hold the side button.
3. After 5 seconds, release the side button while continuing to hold the volume down button until your iPhone shows up in iTunes or Finder.
4. As soon as it appears in iTunes or Finder, release the volume button. Ta-da! Your iPhone 17 is in DFU mode.

Note: If the Apple logo is appearing on the screen, you held down the volume down button for too long. Start the process over from the beginning and try again.

How to Exit DFU Mode on an iPhone 17

1. Quickly press and release the Volume up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume down button.
3. Press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears on your phone screen.

DFU Is Powerful, But Not Perfect

If your iPhone 17 isn’t working and you’ve tried all the other solutions, you might still be able to fix it using DFU mode. However, a DFU restore is not the ultimate fix for all iPhone 17 problems Some issues may be plain hardware faults and cannot be fixed with system software or firmware restore. If your iPhone 17 stubbornly refuses to enter DFU mode, or the issues persist after performing a reset, consider seeking a professional repair instead.

You might need to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode to fix all manner of software problems, from a short battery life to totally unresponsive phone. Recovery mode is also especially useful if you’re having trouble updating or restoring your iPhone 17.

Before we get started, you should know that you’ll need a computer (running macOS or Windows) and a cable to connect it to your iPhone 17. If you’ve got everything you need, follow the steps below to learn how to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Data Loss Concerns With Recovery Mode

If you need to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode to restore it, you can ignore this section because you’re going to erase all your data anyway. However, if you’re using recovery mode to update or troubleshoot your iPhone 17, you should know that it comes with a risk of data loss.

This isn’t always the case; usually you can enter and exit recovery mode without losing any data on your iPhone 17. But if something goes wrong, you may need to erase and restore your iPad to get it out of recovery mode again.

For that reason, we strongly recommend that you back up your iPhone 17 before putting it into recovery mode.

How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 17

The iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max use the same set of steps to enter recovery mode. The below steps will work with the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

1. Make sure that your Mac is up to date. If you’re using a PC, make sure you have the latest version of the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
2. Connect your iPhone 17 to your computer with a USB cable.
3. Open the Finder on your Mac, or open the Apple Devices app on your PC. If your PC doesn’t have the Apple Devices app, or your Mac is using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes instead.
4. Keep your iPhone connected and wait until the Connect to computer screen appears.
5. Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the Connect to computer screen.

After Putting an iPhone 17 in Recovery Mode

Once your iPhone 17 is in recovery mode, you need to use Finder or iTunes on your computer to update or restore the device.

Select your iPhone from the sidebar in Finder or from the top-left corner in iTunes, then go to the Summary or General tab and click Update or Restore, depending on your needs. Update will install the latest version of iOS without erasing any data. Restore will update iOS while also erasing all the data and resetting your iPhone 17 to factory settings.

Force Restart Your iPhone 17 to Exit Recovery Mode

If you need to exit recovery mode, but you don’t want to update or restore your iPhone 17, you should be able to do so by force restarting your iPhone 17. To do this, disconnect your iPhone 17 from the computer, then quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

And if recovery mode didn’t help solve your software issues, consider using DFU mode with your iPhone 17 instead, which offers a deeper level of software reset for your device.

iPhone 17 Recovery Mode, Made Easy

We’ve seen how to enter recovery mode on an iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. It’s a simple process once you know it, but the increasingly confusing button combinations are a bit obtuse. Hopefully, you won’t need to use these often, if ever.

See also: How to Put Your iPhone 17 in DFU Mode