Start with this check.
On iPhone with Face ID, quickly press and release volume up, then volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. If there is no response, follow the charging checks below.
Do not choose Restore on a computer for this test because it can erase the device. Stop charging tests for liquid exposure, damage or unusual heat and obtain service advice.
Which situation matches yours?
Let’s go step by step.
0 of 5 checks completedMark each check to keep track during this visit.
Confirm the model and signs
Check for Face ID and note what happened first: depleted battery, a fall or an app freeze. If possible, call from another phone and observe sound or vibration without entering passcodes blindly.
An audible response changes the hypothesis: the phone may not be switched off.
Perform one restart sequence
Quickly press and release volume up, then volume down. Hold the side button until the logo appears; Apple says this may take more than ten seconds. Do not hold all three buttons together.
If the logo appears, allow startup to complete before other actions.
Check charging if still black
Use a compatible cable and adapter with a working outlet. Without warnings or damage, Apple advises charging for an hour before retrying. Consult its specific guidance if a low-battery icon appears.
A battery indicator is different evidence from receiving no visible response.
Retry once under known conditions
After checking the power source, repeat the model-specific sequence. Avoid many random combinations or unfamiliar repair tools promising complete recovery.
Record logo, battery, a connect-to-computer screen or no response.
Protect data after startup
If the phone starts, verify access to data and a recent backup. Record software version and active app if the problem returns. Successful restarting alone does not identify the cause.
Recurring black screens or ringing without an image provide useful information for repair.
When to stop and ask for help
Ask Apple for service if the phone remains unresponsive after charging and restart checks. Understand any erasure or restore procedure and preserve a backup before proceeding.
Does a step differ from what you see? →Common questions
Does force restarting erase an iPhone?
It is not an erasure command, though interrupting an app may lose unsaved work.
Does this sequence fit every iPhone?
This guide specifies Face ID models. Check instructions for older devices.
Does ringing mean the display works?
No. Sound without an image is useful evidence for investigating the display.
Sources and review
Project owner: Eudald Ferrer Ibáñez. Report a correction.
This guide uses official documentation and our own troubleshooting sequence. Menus may change between versions. Documentation reviewed on September 28, 2026; practical device testing is still pending.
How we review and correct guides →Have you identified the problem?
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