A Full Guide on How to Reset iPhone When Screen Is Frozen

Is your iPhone screen frozen, stuck, or completely unresponsive? This issue can happen because of system crashes, failed updates, app errors, or insufficient storage. If you are wondering how to reset iPhone when screen is frozen, there are several solutions you can try. This guide explains 4 ways to reset a frozen iPhone. Let's look at them one by one.

Part 1. How to Hard Reset iPhone When Screen Is Frozen

A hard reset is the fastest way to fix an iPhone that suddenly freezes or stops responding. Unlike a factory reset, a force restart does not erase your data, including photos, messages, contacts, and apps. It simply forces your iPhone to shut down and restart, which can resolve temporary iOS glitches. The force restart method varies depending on the iPhone model.

How to do a hard reset on iPhone when frozen?

For iPhone 8 and Later:

• Quickly press and release the "Volume Up" button.
• Quickly press and release the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.
• Release the button and wait for your iPhone to restart.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

• Press and hold the "Volume Down" and "Side" buttons together.
• Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
• Release the buttons and wait for the restart.

For iPhone 6s or Earlier:

• Press and hold the "Home" button and "Top" (or Side) button together.
• Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
• Release the buttons and let your iPhone restart.

Part 2. How to Reset iPhone When Screen Is Frozen in Recovery Mode

When a force restart cannot fix the problem, Recovery Mode is another official way to reset a frozen iPhone. This method allows your computer to reinstall iOS and repair serious software issues, such as failed updates, corrupted system files, or an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo.

Before using Recovery Mode, make sure you understand that restoring your iPhone will erase all data on the device. If you have an available backup, you can restore your files after the reset process is complete. (How to back up iPhone?)

Here is how to reset your iPhone 17 when the screen is frozen:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable.

Step 2. Open iTunes on Windows or Finder on Mac.

Step 3. Enter Recovery Mode based on your iPhone model:

• iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release the "Volume Up" button, then the "Volume Down" button, and hold the "Side" button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
• iPhone 7 series: Press and hold the "Volume Down" and "Power" buttons together until Recovery Mode appears.
• iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the "Home" and "Power" buttons together until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

Step 4. When the computer detects your iPhone in Recovery Mode, select "Restore".

Step 5. Wait for the computer to download the latest iOS firmware and complete the restore process.

After the process is complete, your iPhone will return to factory settings. You can set it up again or restore your data from a backup.

Part 3. How to Factory Reset iPhone When Screen Is Frozen via iCloud Find My

If your iPhone screen is frozen and you cannot access the device, iCloud Find My provides a remote way to erase and reset your iPhone. This method is especially useful when the touchscreen is completely unresponsive, the device cannot be unlocked, or you do not have access to a computer. However, before using this method, your iPhone must also have Find My iPhone enabled and be connected to your Apple ID.

Here is how to reset your iPhone when the screen is unresponsive via iCloud Find My:

Step 1. Access the iCloud website on your computer or another device, sign in with your Apple ID, and open "Find My".

Step 2. Sign in with the Apple ID linked to your frozen iPhone.

Step 3. Select your iPhone from the device list.

Step 4. Choose the "Erase iPhone" option.

Step 5. Confirm the action to remove all data and settings.

Step 6. Wait for the erase process to complete.

Step 7. Set up your iPhone as a new device or restore it from a backup.

Part 4. How to Reset iPhone When Screen Is Unresponsive Using iOS System Recovery

When traditional troubleshooting methods fail, using an iOS system repair tool can provide a simpler solution. iOS System Recovery is designed to fix various iPhone system issues without complicated steps. It can resolve problems such as frozen screens, black screens, iPhones stuck on the Apple logo, recovery mode loops, and system crashes.

Compared with restoring through iTunes or Finder, this tool offers a more intuitive interface, provides multiple repair modes based on different situations, and helps reduce the risk of data loss.

Key features of iOS System Recovery:

• Fix iPhone freezing issues without losing data.
• Resolve various iPhone system problems, including being stuck in headphone mode, recovery mode loops, black screen issues, and more.
• Upgrade or downgrade iOS versions for free.
• Support nearly all iPhone models and the latest iOS 27.
• Provide a simple, user-friendly interface with no technical expertise required.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to reset an iPhone when the screen is frozen without data loss:

In a Nutshell

If you want to know how to reset an iPhone when the screen is frozen, the best method depends on your situation. A hard reset is the quickest solution for temporary freezes, while Recovery Mode and iCloud Find My are suitable for more serious problems but may erase your data.

For users who need a simpler way to fix an unresponsive iPhone, iOS System Recovery is a reliable choice. It can repair many iOS system issues, including frozen screens, startup failures, and software errors, while providing an easier recovery process compared with traditional methods.

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