How to Turn Off iPhone & iPad in iOS 10

Turning off your iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 is a simple process, but the exact method depends on the model you have. This guide shows you the correct steps for every device, whether it has a physical Home button or uses Face ID, and covers what to do if the screen is unresponsive.

What You’ll Need

• Your iPhone or iPad (any model running iOS 10)
• Access to the physical buttons (Side/Top button and Volume buttons)
• If the device is in a case, you may need to remove it to press the buttons firmly

Step-by-Step

For iPhone 6, 6s, SE, and earlier (with a Home button)

1. Press and hold the Side button (or Top button on iPhone 5s and earlier) until the “slide to power off� slider appears on the screen. This usually takes about 2-3 seconds.
2. Release the button.
3. Drag the slider from left to right using your finger.
4. Wait a few seconds; the screen will go black and the device will power off completely.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

1. Press and hold the Side button on the right edge of the phone.
2. Keep holding until the “slide to power off� slider appears.
3. Release the button and drag the slider to the right.

For iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X (with Face ID)

1. Press and hold the Side button and either Volume up or Volume down button simultaneously.
2. Keep holding both buttons until the “slide to power off� slider appears (about 2-3 seconds).
3. Release both buttons and drag the slider.

For all iPad models running iOS 10

1. Press and hold the Top button (on the top edge of the iPad) until the slider appears.
2. Release the button and drag the slider to power off.

If the screen is unresponsive (force restart)

1. For iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad with Home button: Press and hold both the Home button and the Top/Side button for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
2. For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down for at least 10 seconds.
3. For iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
4. Release the buttons and let the device restart. This does not erase data; it’s a force restart, not a factory reset.

Common Mistakes

• Holding the wrong button combination: On iPhone 7 and later, pressing only the Side button will not bring up the power slider; you must use the volume button combo on newer models.
• Releasing too early: If you let go before the slider appears, the device won’t power off. Keep holding until you see the slider.
• Confusing “sleepâ€� with “power offâ€�: A quick press of the Side button just locks the screen; it does not turn off the device.
• Using the AssistiveTouch on-screen power button incorrectly: If you use AssistiveTouch, tap “Deviceâ€� then “Lock Screenâ€� – that only locks, not powers off. To power off via AssistiveTouch, tap “Deviceâ€� then press and hold the “Lock Screenâ€� icon until the slider appears.

Tips

• If you want to save battery quickly, you don’t need to power off; just enable Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery.
• Powering off and on (a “restartâ€�) can fix many minor glitches like frozen apps or Wi-Fi issues.
• To turn the device back on, press and hold the Side/Top button until the Apple logo appears.
• If you’re selling or giving away your device, powering off is not enough – you should also sign out of iCloud and erase all content in Settings > General > Reset.

Troubleshooting

The slider doesn’t appear when I hold the button. Make sure you’re pressing the correct button for your model. For iPhone 8 or later, you must hold Side + Volume. If the screen is completely unresponsive, try a force restart as described above.

The device turns off but immediately turns back on. This can happen if the battery is critically low and the device is plugged in. Unplug it, let it power off, then plug it in after a few seconds. If it still restarts on its own, there may be a hardware issue – contact Apple Support.

I can’t drag the slider because the screen is cracked or unresponsive. Use the force restart method to reboot the device. If that doesn’t work, connect it to a computer and use iTunes to put it into recovery mode (but note that recovery mode is for restoring, not just powering off).

The device is stuck on the Apple logo after trying to power off. This usually indicates a software issue. Force restart again, and if it persists, connect to iTunes and update or restore the device (backup first if possible).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I turn off my iPhone without the power button?
A: If the Side button is broken, you can enable AssistiveTouch (Settings > General > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch), then tap the on-screen button, go to Device, and press and hold “Lock Screen� until the slider appears.

Q: Does turning off my iPhone close all apps?
A: Yes, powering off completely closes all running apps and processes. When you turn it back on, apps will start fresh.

Q: Will I lose any data if I force restart my iPhone?
A: No, a force restart does not erase any data. It only interrupts the power flow temporarily. Your photos, messages, and settings remain intact.

Q: Can I schedule my iPhone to turn off automatically?
A: iOS 10 does not have a built-in schedule power on/off feature. You can use the “Do Not Disturb� mode to silence notifications at certain times, but the device stays on.

Q: Why does my iPhone take a long time to turn off?
A: If the device is busy (e.g., syncing or updating), it may take a few extra seconds to show the slider. Be patient – if it takes more than 10 seconds, try a force restart.

Q: Is it better to shut down my iPhone every night?
A: It’s not necessary. iOS manages memory well, and a weekly restart is enough to keep things running smoothly. Powering off every night can actually drain more battery during startup.

Related

• Brightness Not Working in Windows 11? Fix It Now
• Open Settings Menu in Windows 10: 8 Ways
• Deploy Microsoft 365 Copilot for SMBs