**To restart an iPhone with a broken screen, press and hold the side button and volume down button until the Apple logo appears.** If your screen is unresponsive, this quick action can force a restart. Knowing how to restart iPhone screen broken helps you troubleshoot minor glitches and keeps your device functioning.
Don’t worry—restarting can often be done even with a damaged display. This simple step can buy you time before seeking professional repairs. Follow these instructions to get your iPhone back on track easily.
How to Restart iPhone Screen Broken
Having a broken iPhone screen can feel frustrating, especially when your device refuses to respond to taps or gestures. Sometimes, a simple restart can help fix minor glitches, but what do you do when your screen is cracked or unresponsive? In this guide, we’ll walk you through different methods to restart your iPhone with a broken screen, ensuring you get your device back to working order as smoothly as possible. Whether your screen is cracked, black, or just not responding correctly, these techniques are designed to help you restart your iPhone efficiently and safely.
Understanding the Impact of a Broken Screen on Restarting Your iPhone
Before diving into specific steps, let’s understand what makes restarting a broken iPhone tricky. When your screen cracks or turns black, your device’s hardware might still be functional, but the display becomes unresponsive. This means your usual taps, swipes, or button presses might not work as expected. Consequently, restarting your iPhone might require alternative methods compared to a normal device.
Common issues with a broken screen include:
- Touch responsiveness problems, making it hard to navigate or press buttons.
- Cracks that interfere with the display, hiding icons or instructions.
- Dark or black screens, where you can’t see anything but the device is still powered on.
- Unresponsive buttons or physical damage, preventing standard restarts.
Knowing these challenges helps you choose the right restart method and prepare for possible solutions like using hardware buttons, assistive features, or connection to a computer.
How to Restart an iPhone with a Broken Screen Using Hardware Buttons
Most iPhones can be restarted using specific hardware button combinations, even if the screen is not responding or visible. This method is often the first step in troubleshooting a broken screen.
Force Restart Your iPhone
The process varies depending on your iPhone model, but here are the general instructions for the most common devices:
- iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation and newer)
- Press and quickly release the volume up button.
- Press and quickly release the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side button (power button).
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
- Press and hold both the volume down button and the sleep/wake (side) button simultaneously.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release.
- iPhone 6s and earlier
- Press and hold both the home button and the sleep/wake (power) button at the same time.
- Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
**Important tip:** Even if your screen is broken, the device is still on, and these button presses will help force the restart. When done correctly, the screen might stay dark, but your iPhone will reboot.
Why Use Force Restart?
Force restarting helps in the following situations:
- Your iPhone is frozen or unresponsive.
- The screen remains black or blank.
- You want to reset the device without navigating through menus.
- The device needs a reboot after a crash.
This method does not erase any data; it simply restarts your device.
Using AssistiveTouch to Restart iPhone with a Broken Screen
If your screen responds to touches partially, or if you have enabled accessibility features like AssistiveTouch, you can use this feature to restart your iPhone.
Enabling AssistiveTouch
This might be tricky if the screen is completely unresponsive, but if you can navigate:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Accessibility.
- Select Touch.
- Turn on AssistiveTouch.
Once enabled, a floating button appears on your screen, which you can use to simulate hardware buttons.
Using AssistiveTouch to Restart
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button.
- Choose Device.
- Press and hold the Lock Screen icon.
- While holding, tap Restart (if available).
Note: If the restart option isn’t visible, you may need to rely on the hardware button method or connect your iPhone to a computer.
Restarting an iPhone with a Broken Screen via a Computer
When your screen is too damaged to use touch controls, connecting your iPhone to a computer can help restart or even recover your device.
Using iTunes on Windows or older Mac OS
If you have a Windows PC or an older Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using a Lightning cable.
- Open iTunes; if prompted, trust the computer on your iPhone (may be challenging if the screen is unresponsive).
- If your device appears in iTunes, select it.
- Click on the device icon, then choose Restart if available, or perform a force restart using the hardware button method described earlier.
Using Finder on macOS Catalina or later
Follow similar steps:
- Use a Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac.
- Open Finder.
- Select your device from the sidebar.
- Use the force restart combination to reboot your device.
**Note:** When your screen is broken, options like restoring or updating your device via computer might be necessary if restart steps do not resolve issues.
Tips for Preventing Further Damage During Restart
When your iPhone’s screen is broken, avoid actions that could worsen the damage:
- Handle the device gently to prevent additional cracks or internal damage.
- Avoid pressing on cracked areas that might cause further breakage.
- Use a protective case or cover to stabilize the device during restarts.
- If possible, turn off your iPhone completely if you’re unable to restart it properly, to prevent accidental damage or battery drain.
Additional Assistance and Repair Options
If restarting doesn’t fix your issues, or if your iPhone remains unresponsive, consider professional repair services:
- Visit an authorized Apple service provider.
- Schedule an appointment at an Apple Store Genius Bar.
- Explore third-party repair shops with good reviews.
Sometimes, replacing the screen becomes necessary to restore full functionality. While a repaired screen is ideal, the techniques described above help you restart your iPhone temporarily or in emergency situations.
Summary
Remember that restarting your iPhone with a broken screen mainly involves using hardware buttons or connecting to a computer. The key is to identify which method suits your situation best, depending on the damage severity and whether your device responds to touch. Always handle your device gently and consider professional repair options if needed. With patience and the right techniques, you can successfully restart your broken-screen iPhone and keep it functioning until you get a proper repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What steps can I take to restart my iPhone if the screen is unresponsive due to damage?
If your iPhone screen is broken and unresponsive, you can try a force restart. For iPhone models with Face ID, press and quickly release the volume up button, then do the same with the volume down button. Next, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. For models with a Home button, press and hold both the Home button and the side or top button simultaneously until the Apple logo shows up. This method forces the device to restart without relying on the screen.
Is it possible to restart my iPhone without using the touchscreen when the screen is broken?
Yes, you can restart your iPhone without touching the screen by using hardware buttons. For iPhone models with Face ID, perform a force restart by pressing the volume up button, then the volume down button, followed by holding the side button until the Apple logo appears. On models with a Home button, press and hold the Home button along with the side or top button until the Apple logo displays. These steps allow the phone to reboot even if the display doesn’t respond.
What should I do if my iPhone doesn’t respond after a force restart due to a broken screen?
If your iPhone still doesn’t respond after a force restart, you may need to connect the device to a computer with iTunes or Finder. Use a Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to a computer that has the latest version of iTunes (on Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or open Finder (on macOS Catalina and later). When connected, try to update or restore your device to fix potential software issues. If the screen remains unresponsive, consider seeking professional repair services.
Can I restart my iPhone via Siri when the screen is damaged?
Unfortunately, Siri cannot execute a restart command if the screen is broken and the display isn’t functioning properly. Siri requires visual confirmation to recognize commands, and with a cracked screen, you might not be able to see or interact with voice prompts effectively. In such cases, hardware button methods or connecting to a computer remain the best options to restart your device.
Are there any apps or tools that can help restart or manage my iPhone if I can’t see the screen?
Third-party software tools like iMyFone Fixppo or Dr.Fone can help you manage and restart your iPhone when the screen is broken. These tools connect your device to a computer and allow you to perform actions such as entering recovery mode or restarting the device. However, ensure you use reputable software and follow the instructions carefully to avoid further issues. Keep in mind that these tools may require a computer and some technical knowledge to operate effectively.
Final Thoughts
To restart an iPhone with a broken screen, try pressing and holding the power button along with the volume button. If the screen is unresponsive, connect the iPhone to a computer and use iTunes or Finder to force a restart.
For more severe damage, consider visiting an authorized service provider for repairs.
In summary, knowing how to restart iPhone screen broken can resolve many issues. Following the right steps ensures you restart the device quickly and safely.
