Many iPhone users go weeks or even months without ever turning off or restarting their devices. Unless the phone slows down or encounters issues, there’s rarely a reason to power it off. But when the time comes, whether due to technical problems or performance lags, it can be surprisingly tricky to remember exactly how to switch it off — especially with the iPhone 13, where the process isn’t immediately obvious.

This guide walks you through the different ways to turn off, restart, or force reboot your iPhone 13.

The Quick Method: Using the Buttons

If you’re looking for the fastest way to turn off your iPhone 13, the button method is your best bet.

To begin, press and hold the volume down button and the power button on the right side of the phone at the same time. After a couple of seconds, your iPhone will vibrate slightly, and a screen will appear with a “slide to power off” prompt.

Simply swipe the power icon to the right, and your device will shut down.

This method is particularly useful when your screen is still responsive and you’re looking for a quick solution. It’s also ideal if you’re already familiar with using button combinations for shortcuts and functions.

The Settings Method: A Slower Alternative

If you’d prefer to avoid button combinations or your side buttons aren’t functioning properly, you can switch off your iPhone 13 directly through the device settings.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom and select Shut Down.

You’ll be taken to the same power-off screen as with the button method, and again, you’ll need to swipe the “slide to power off” bar to the right.

This approach only takes a few seconds longer, but it’s a useful alternative when the physical buttons are difficult to press or unresponsive. It’s also a helpful option for users who are more comfortable navigating through menus than using button shortcuts.

Restarting the iPhone 13

Once your iPhone is powered off, you can restart it simply by pressing and holding the power button on the side until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This action indicates that the phone is booting up.

Restarting your iPhone from time to time can help refresh its system, close background processes, and improve overall performance. Although iPhones are known for their stability, a restart can sometimes resolve issues like slow performance or unresponsive apps.

How to Force Restart the iPhone 13

There may be occasions where your iPhone becomes completely unresponsive — the screen is frozen, the buttons don’t seem to do anything, and the regular shutdown methods no longer work. In these rare cases, you’ll need to perform a force restart.

To force restart your iPhone 13, follow this sequence:

1. Quickly press and release the volume up button.
2. Quickly press and release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.

Don’t worry if the screen stays black for a few seconds before the logo appears — this is normal. The key is to press the buttons in the correct order and timing. Force restarting your device will not erase your data, but it can help resolve temporary system issues.

Why Restarting Can Be Helpful

While iPhones are designed to run smoothly without frequent reboots, restarting your phone occasionally can have several benefits. It can clear memory, stop rogue apps from draining your battery, and fix minor glitches. It’s also a good habit before installing major updates or when your device begins to lag.

If your iPhone 13 seems to be slowing down or acting strangely, a quick restart might be all it needs to get back to peak performance.

Final Thoughts

Although many of us rarely turn off or restart our iPhones, knowing how to do it properly is useful — especially when problems arise. The iPhone 13 offers multiple ways to power off and restart, whether you prefer using physical buttons or navigating through the settings.

And if things go completely awry, the force restart option is a reliable way to bring your device back to life. Just remember the correct button sequence, and you’ll be back up and running in no time.