When your iPhone’s touch screen becomes unresponsive, you may find yourself in a quandary, unable to perform even the most basic tasks like turning it off. However, there are several ingenious methods at your disposal to power off your iPhone without relying on the touch screen. These techniques are particularly useful if the screen is cracked, shattered, or simply frozen.
One effective method involves utilizing the AssistiveTouch feature. To activate it, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and toggle the switch to the “on” position. This will display a virtual home button on the screen, which you can use to access various functions, including the power off option. Simply tap the virtual home button, select “Device,” and then choose “More” followed by “Restart” to power off your iPhone. Alternatively, if your iPhone supports Face ID, you can use Siri to turn it off. Simply say “Hey Siri, turn off my iPhone” and follow the prompts to complete the process.
Another option to power off your iPhone without the touch screen is to connect it to a computer using a USB cable. Once connected, open iTunes or Finder (depending on your Mac’s operating system) and select your iPhone from the list of devices. In the Summary tab, click the “Restore iPhone” button and follow the prompts to restore your iPhone to factory settings. This process will effectively power off your iPhone and erase all data and settings, so it is essential to back up your data beforehand.
Using AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch is an accessibility feature that provides an on-screen menu with various functions, including the ability to power off the iPhone without using the touch screen. To enable AssistiveTouch:
1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
| Steps | Guide |
|---|---|
| Step1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone. | Find the “Settings” icon on your iPhone’s home screen and tap on it. |
| Step2: Scroll down and select “Accessibility.” | Once in the Settings menu, scroll down and find the “Accessibility” option. Tap on it to open the Accessibility settings. |
| Step3: Select “Touch” under the “Physical and Motor” section. | In the Accessibility settings, locate the “Physical and Motor” section and tap on “Touch.” |
| Step4: Toggle on “AssistiveTouch.” | In the Touch settings, you will find the “AssistiveTouch” option. Tap on the toggle switch next to it to turn on AssistiveTouch. |
2. Customize the AssistiveTouch menu.
You can customize the AssistiveTouch menu by adding or removing buttons. To add the Power Off button:
- Tap on “Customize Top Level Menu.”
- Tap on the “+” icon in the bottom left corner.
- Scroll down and select “Power Off.”
- Tap on “Done” to save your changes.
3. Power off your iPhone using AssistiveTouch.
To power off your iPhone using AssistiveTouch:
- Tap on the AssistiveTouch menu on the screen.
- Tap on the “Power Off” button.
- Slide the “Slide to Power Off” slider to the right.
Employing the Power Button and Volume Up Button
Simultaneous Press
Concurrently press and hold the power button located on the right side of your iPhone and the volume up button situated on the left. Maintain this hold for approximately 5 seconds, or until the “Slide to power off” slider appears on the screen. The power button is typically positioned near the center of the side, while the volume up button is located towards the top.
Release and Swipe
Once the “Slide to power off” slider emerges, release both buttons. Employ your finger to slide the slider from left to right. This action will initiate the shutdown process, turning off your iPhone.
Additional Notes:
* This method is applicable to most iPhone models, including the iPhone 6 and newer.
* Ensure you firmly press both buttons simultaneously to trigger the shutdown process.
* If the “Slide to power off” slider does not appear, repeat the process.
* This method remains effective even if your iPhone’s touch screen is unresponsive or damaged.
Leveraging an External Keyboard
Integrating an external keyboard grants users an alternative method to power off their iPhone without the touch screen. Follow these steps:
1. Attach the External Keyboard
Connect an external Bluetooth or USB keyboard to your iPhone.
2. Activate the Spotlight Search
Press “Command + Space” on the keyboard to trigger the Spotlight search.
3. Enter Power Off Command
Type “Power Off” in the Spotlight search bar.
4. Utilize the Arrow Keys and Enter Key
Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Power Off” option in the search results.
Once highlighted, press the “Enter” key to initiate the power-off process.
A confirmation prompt will appear. Press “Enter” again to confirm and power off your iPhone.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Attach external keyboard |
| 2 | Activate Spotlight search (Command + Space) |
| 3 | Enter “Power Off” in Spotlight search |
| 4 | Use arrow keys to navigate to “Power Off” option. Press “Enter” to confirm and power off iPhone. |
Connecting to iTunes
If your iPhone’s touch screen is unresponsive and you need to power it off, you can connect it to iTunes and put it into recovery mode. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to the computer
Using a USB cable, connect your iPhone to a computer. Make sure the computer has iTunes installed.
Step 2: Open iTunes
Launch iTunes on your computer. If asked, enter your Apple ID and password.
Step 3: Put your iPhone into recovery mode
The process of putting your iPhone into recovery mode varies depending on the model. Use the following guide for your specific iPhone model:
| iPhone Model | Recovery Mode Instructions |
|—|—|
| iPhone 8 and later | Press and release the Volume Up button. Press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button. Continue holding the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen. |
| iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus | Press and hold the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button. Continue holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen. |
| iPhone 6s and earlier | Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously. Continue holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen. |
Step 4: Select your iPhone in iTunes
Once your iPhone is in recovery mode, it will appear in iTunes. Select your iPhone from the list of devices.
Step 5: Click “Restore” or “Update”
In iTunes, you will have the option to “Restore” or “Update” your iPhone. If you select “Restore,” all data on your iPhone will be erased and the device will be restored to its factory settings. If you select “Update,” the software on your iPhone will be updated to the latest version, but your data will not be erased. Choose the option that you prefer.
Discharging the Battery
If you have a newer iPhone without a physical Home button, you can still turn it off by discharging the battery. This will take several hours or even overnight, but it’s a surefire way to power down your device without using the touchscreen.
Step – by – Step Instructions:
1. Make sure your iPhone is not connected to a power source.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up button, then press and hold the Volume Down button.
3. Keep holding both buttons until the screen turns black and the Apple logo appears (about 10 seconds).
4. Once the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
5. Your iPhone will now begin to discharge the battery.
6. Depending on the battery life remaining, it may take several hours for your iPhone to completely power off. During this time, you may see the Apple logo appear and disappear again as the battery continues to discharge. When the battery is fully discharged, the screen will remain black and the iPhone will be turned off.
| iPhone Model | Power Off Time |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 | Approximately 4 hours |
| iPhone 13 | Approximately 3 – 3.5 hours |
| iPhone 12 | Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours |
Using a Third-Party App
In the App Store, there are numerous third-party apps that allow you to control your iPhone’s power options without using the touchscreen. Some popular options include:
| App Name | Features |
|---|---|
| AssistiveTouch | Enables a virtual home button on the screen that offers various controls, including power options. |
| Power Toggle | Provides a quick shortcut for powering off or restarting your iPhone, even when the screen is unresponsive. |
| Virtual Home Button | A customizable app that adds a virtual home button with power options to the screen. |
To use any of these apps, simply download and install them from the App Store. Once installed, follow the app’s instructions to set up the power options shortcut. Most apps will allow you to customize the shortcut’s placement and appearance on the screen.
When you want to power off your iPhone, simply activate the shortcut created by the third-party app. This could involve tapping on a virtual button, pressing a volume key, or using a custom gesture. The app will then initiate the power-off process, allowing you to turn off your iPhone without touching the screen.
Enabling the AssistiveTouch Menu
The AssistiveTouch menu is a customizable on-screen menu that provides quick access to various device functions. It can be enabled through the following steps:
1. Go to Settings > Accessibility.
2. Select “Touch” and then “AssistiveTouch.”
3. Toggle the switch next to “AssistiveTouch” to the On position.
4. The AssistiveTouch menu will appear as a floating circle on the edge of the screen.
5. Tap on the AssistiveTouch menu to open it.
6. Select “Device” from the menu.
7. Select “More.”
8. Select “Restart” or “Power Off” to turn off the iPhone.
| AssistiveTouch Menu Options | Function |
|---|---|
| Device | Access device functions such as restart, power off, and volume controls |
| Custom | Create custom actions and shortcuts |
| Favorites | Add frequently used actions to the menu for quick access |
Configuring the AssistiveTouch Shortcut
To set up the AssistiveTouch shortcut for powering off your iPhone without using the touch screen:
1. Enable AssistiveTouch
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and toggle on the switch.
2. Customize the Top-Level Menu
Tap on “Customize Top Level Menu” and select the blank icon at the bottom.
3. Choose the Restart Option
Scroll down to the “Device” section and select “Restart”.
4. Add AssistiveTouch Button
Tap on the “Add to AssistiveTouch” button in the upper-right corner.
5. Activate the Shortcut
Open the AssistiveTouch menu by tapping on the floating button (a small gray circle) on the screen. Tap on the button you added in the previous step to initiate the restart.
6. Confirm the Restart
A “Slide to Power Off” slider will appear on the screen. Slide it to the right to confirm the restart.
7. Disable AssistiveTouch if Needed
Once the restart is complete, you can disable AssistiveTouch by going to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and toggling off the AssistiveTouch switch.
8. Additional Customization Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Assign to Triple-Click Home Button | Set the triple-click of the Home button to trigger the restart shortcut. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut > Triple-Click Home and select “Restart”. |
| Configure for Siri | Create a Siri shortcut to initiate the restart. Say “Restart my phone” or a similar phrase to trigger the shortcut. |
9. Troubleshooting Tips
If the AssistiveTouch shortcut does not work:
- Make sure AssistiveTouch is enabled and properly configured.
- Try restarting your iPhone manually using the power button.
- If the touch screen is completely unresponsive, you may need to perform a force restart by pressing and holding the Volume Down button and Power button simultaneously.
- Contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Activating the Power Off Option
1. Use AssistiveTouch
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on. A virtual button will appear on your screen. Tap the button to access a menu, then navigate to Device > More > Restart > Power Off.
2. Use Siri
Press and hold the Home button or Side button to activate Siri, then say “Power off my iPhone.”
3. Use the Back Tap feature
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Set a double or triple tap to “Power Off.”
4. Use the Power Button
If the touch screen is partially responsive, quickly press and release the Power button. Then, hold down the Volume Up button and press and release the Power button again.
5. Use the Volume Down Button
If the Power button is not working, hold down the Volume Down button and the Power button simultaneously for several seconds.
6. Use a Bluetooth keyboard
Connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your iPhone. Press Control + Command + Power to turn off your iPhone.
7. Use a usb-C dongle
Connect a USB-C dongle to your iPhone. Plug a keyboard or mouse into the dongle. Press the Power button on the keyboard or click the mouse to turn off your iPhone.
8. Use a computer
Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable. Open iTunes or Finder, and click the Restore iPhone button.
9. Remove the battery
This option is only available for older iPhones with removable batteries. Power off your iPhone, then use a SIM eject tool or paperclip to remove the battery.
10. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above methods work, contact Apple Support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or arrange for a repair.
How to Power Off iPhone Without Touch Screen
If your iPhone’s touch screen is broken or unresponsive, you can still power it off using the following steps:
- Press and hold the Power button (located on the right side of the iPhone) and the Volume Down button (located on the left side of the iPhone) simultaneously.
- Continue holding both buttons until the power off slider appears on the screen.
- Slide the power off slider to the right to power off your iPhone.
People Also Ask
How do I turn on my iPhone without the touch screen?
You can turn on your iPhone without the touch screen by using the AssistiveTouch feature. To enable AssistiveTouch, go to Settings > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch and turn on the AssistiveTouch switch. Once AssistiveTouch is enabled, you can use the on-screen button to access the Home screen, open apps, and adjust the volume.
How do I restart my iPhone without the touch screen?
You can restart your iPhone without the touch screen by using the Power button and the Volume Down button. To restart your iPhone, press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
How do I reset my iPhone without the touch screen?
You can reset your iPhone without the touch screen by using a computer. To reset your iPhone, connect it to a computer using a USB cable and open iTunes. Once your iPhone is connected, click on the “Restore” button in iTunes to reset your iPhone.
