A restart clears out stuck processes and flaky network state. It’s step one for a reason.

iPhone with Face ID (no Home button)

  1. Press and hold the side button and either volume button at the same time.
  2. When the slide to power off slider appears, drag it to the right.
  3. Wait about 30 seconds for the phone to shut down fully.
  4. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  5. Once it boots, try the app or site again.
Diagram of an iPhone with arrows pointing to the side button and a volume button
Hold the side button and either volume button together. Image: Apple Support

iPhone with a Home button

  1. Press and hold the side (or top) button until the slide to power off slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to the right and wait ~30 seconds.
  3. Press and hold the side (or top) button until the Apple logo appears.
Diagram of a Home-button iPhone with an arrow pointing to the top button
On Home-button models, hold the top (or side) button. Image: Apple Support

If the phone is frozen and won’t respond

Force-restart it (this doesn’t erase anything):

  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 (10–20 seconds), then let go.

Note: You can also restart from Settings → General → Shut Down if the buttons are awkward.