iPhone Won't Turn On
A black, unresponsive iPhone is usually a frozen system or a charging issue — not a dead phone. Run these checks before you assume the worst.
Safety firstIf the phone is hot, swollen, or smells burnt, stop and bring it in — a swollen battery is a safety issue, not a DIY fix.
Force restart (the fix for most 'dead' iPhones)
- iPhone 8 and newer: press Volume Up, press Volume Down, then press and HOLD the Side button until the Apple logo appears (~10–20 sec).
- iPhone 7: hold Volume Down + Side button together.
- iPhone 6s / SE (1st gen): hold Home + Side button.
TipKeep holding past the 'it's not working' moment — the logo often appears at 15+ seconds.
Repair Assistant
Stuck? Ask or talk it through
Hey 👋 I'm reading the "iPhone Won't Turn On" guide right along with you. Tell me what's happening with your device and I'll walk you through it — or what you saw after a step.
Quick start
When to bring it in
- Force restart and a known-good charger both did nothing.
- It vibrates or chimes but the screen stays black (likely a display).
- The back or screen is warm/swollen (battery — bring it in promptly).
- It got wet or was dropped right before it died.
Quick answers
- Is my iPhone dead or is it just the screen?
- If it vibrates, makes sounds, gets warm, or shows up on a computer, the phone is alive and you're likely looking at a screen or backlight issue — an affordable fix. We confirm which it is during the free diagnostic.
- How long should I charge a dead iPhone before it turns on?
- Give it a solid 15–30 minutes on a known-good wall charger. A fully drained battery can show a black screen for several minutes before the charging icon appears.
More repair guides
Phone Got Wet? Do This First
The first 15 minutes decide whether a wet phone lives. Move fast, keep it OFF, and skip the rice — here's what actually works.
Cracked iPhone Screen: What To Do Now
A cracked screen is mostly cosmetic at first — but glass dust and exposed digitizers get worse fast. Here's how to protect it until it's fixed.
iPhone Battery Draining Too Fast
Most fast-draining iPhones are part settings, part worn battery. Tune the settings first, then check whether the battery itself is the problem.