Is your iPhone 11 frozen? Not to worry, there are several ways to turn it off. Force-restarting is probably the easiest method. All you need to do is press and let go of both Volume buttons, then keep holding the Side button until you see an Apple logo screen appear. If that method didn't work, you can also enter recovery mode.
I've faced this issue a couple of times. Thankfully, fixing it is easy, and I've run through the best methods to try below.
- How to Turn Off iPhone 11 When Frozen?
- Method 1: Force Restart an iPhone (Hard Reset)
- Solution 1: Update iOS
- Solution 2: Factory Reset
- Method 2: Enter Recovery Mode
- Method 3: Contact Apple Store
- FAQ
- How Do You Prevent Your iPhone From Freezing?
- Final Thoughts
How to Turn Off iPhone 11 When Frozen?
There are a couple of tricks to try, and they include:
Method 1: Force Restart an iPhone (Hard Reset)
First off, try force-restarting. It's more comprehensive than a regular reboot, as all the apps and processes that are running would be shut down. However, it should do the job.
Force-restarting works similarly to removing your device's battery, which you can't do because iPhones don't come with removable backs.
Now, the force restart process differs depending on your device model.
Here's what you do on models with Face ID, as well as the iPhone 8 and SE (2nd generation);
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
- Keep holding the Power button until the Apple logo appears
As your iPhone shuts down and reboots, the screen will go black. Don't worry about it. It should hopefully be up and running again.
Now, while unfrozen, there a couple of a tricks you can try to make sure it doesn't freeze again. I want to cover all bases, so I thought about discussing them.
Solution 1: Update iOS
Your iPhone 11 may have frozen because of a bug. If you haven't updated iOS in a while, this wouldn't be a surprise.
Downloading the latest firmware will help. Before you get started, keep in mind that you need a stable internet connection and enough space for the firmware file.
Here's what you do:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap on General > Software Update
- Click on the firmware file that's on the screen
Enable Automatic Updates while you're at it. This will make your life easier, as you'll never have to deal with bugs again:
- Open the Settings app
- Click on the App Store button under Automatic Downloads
- Toggle the App Updates button
Solution 2: Factory Reset
If you're dealing with a stubborn error or glitch, factory-resetting might work.
Just remember that all your personal data will be lost. Your entire system would be wiped clear. Backup your files before proceeding:
- Open the Settings app
- Click on General
- Tap Backup Now
With that out of the way, here's how you factory reset:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone screen
- Click on General > Transfer or Reset
- Tap the Reset button
- Select Erase All Content & Settings
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm
Wait for your device to restart, and then set it up from the top. Hopefully, you won't have to deal with it acting up again.
Method 2: Enter Recovery Mode
Entering Recovery Mode is reserved for the most complex software problems, which might be the cause for your device freezing.
Just keep in mind that exiting recovery mode mid-way is a bad idea. You'll have to deal with a bunch of annoying errors.
Before I get started, know that you will lose all your personal data. Hopefully, you've backed them up already.
Here's what you do:
- Open the latest version of iTunes on your computer
- Close all the other programs that are running, as they can stop the process mid-way
- Connect your mobile to your computer via USB cable
- You will have to press a couple of buttons, depending on your model. Here's what you do on the iPhone 11: Press and hold the Volume Up button, then simultaneously press the Volume Down button. Keep holding the Power button and let go of it when you see the recovery screen appear
- Tap Restore iPhone from the options on the screen
As mentioned, don't disconnect until the whole process is done. You will be stuck with a lot of bugs and errors otherwise.
Method 3: Contact Apple Store
Did none of the above fixes work? It might be time to contact your local Apple store. The issue may be due to a hardware defect. Depending on your warranty, you should get the problem you're dealing with fixed for free.
Of course, you would have to hand in your phone for a couple of days to weeks.
FAQ
Answered below are some popular questions.
How Do You Prevent Your iPhone From Freezing?
Hands down, updating iOS is the best way to prevent your device from freezing. Outdated systems can easily bug out and cause various other problems too.
A virus could also be the culprit. Be careful with any third-party apps that you download to keep viruses away. Also, try not to connect to public WiFi networks, as this would make it easier to infiltrate your device.
Of course, downloading an Anti-virus software is crucial. There are several on the App store that are worth your time.
Final Thoughts
If your iPhone 11 is frozen and refusing to switch off, not to worry, there are a bunch of solutions to try. Force-restarting is the easiest one. You will be able to reboot your device by force-closing everything that's running. Now, the force reboot process differs between Apple devices, but we got you covered.
You can also enter recovery mode or perform a recovery restoration via iTunes. They are both comprehensive.
Hopefully, you found everything that was discussed useful. You can use this method on any iPhone model.