Struggling to figure out how to turn off your iPhone? You’re not alone. Apple has tweaked the shutdown process across different generations of iOS devices, which can be a bit confusing. While iPhones are some of the best phones around, this inconsistency can be irritating.
Maybe you’ve just upgraded to a new iPhone and aren’t sure how to power it down. Or perhaps you’ve recently switched from Android and getting used to the iOS ecosystem. Whatever the case, turning off your iPhone is simple once you know how.
The process usually depends on your phone’s model, the location of the lock button, and whether it has a home button. Ready to power down? Let’s walk you through the steps to turn off your iPhone.
How to turn off your iPhone 5 or iPhone SE (1st Gen)
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on the top of the phone until the Power Off slider appears on the screen (approximately 3 seconds).
To turn off your phone, drag the on-screen slider toward the off position, which will prompt your iPhone to power down.
iPhone SE owners, take note — these instructions only apply to the original version of Apple’s compact phone. The newer iPhone SE uses a different method outlined below.
How to turn off you iPhone 6, 7, 8 or SE (2020)
The Sleep/Wake button is in a different place on these models, so the mode of shutting down your iPhone changes.
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on the right hand side of the phone until the Power Off slider appears. Then, drag the on-screen slider to the off position.
How to turn off your iPhone X or later
For iPhones with a notch display — basically anything from the iPhone X or later, excluding the iPhone SE (2020) — you’ll need to press two buttons to turn off your phone.
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on the right side of your phone along with either of the volume buttons. In a couple of seconds, the power-off slider will appear, along with the medical ID and Emergency SOS options.
Drag the on-screen slider to the off position to turn off your device.
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