If you can’t shut down or restart your iPhone 12 using the usual methods, you can try a forced restart (sometimes called a “hard reset”), which will not affect your data. It’s important to note that a forced restart should be a rare event reserved only for emergencies. Most of the time, you’ll want to shut down your iPhone the regular way. Also, a forced restart should not be confused with a factory reset. The forced restart you’re about to perform will not erase any data stored on your iPhone.
How to Force an iPhone to Restart
To do a forced restart on your iPhone 12, you’ll need to press three buttons on the side of your device rapidly.
Hold your iPhone 12 in your hand. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button (on the right edge of the device). Keep holding the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
Once you see the Apple logo, you’ll know you have pressed the sequence properly. After you get it, your iPhone may take longer to start up than usual.
