How to force quit your iPhone

Some days our iPhones, like us, just can't seem to get it together. Your phone is stuck, frozen, or just not operating the way it should. The old IT adage of "turn it off and turn it back on" doesn't even work. In those cases, you need to force quit your iPhone.

Instructions are similar for each model, but differ slightly.

iPhone X, Xs, Xr, 11, or 12: Press and quickly release the volume up button, then do the same with the volume down button. Hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.

iPhone 8 or SE (second generation): Same as later models. Press and quickly release the volume up button, then press and release volume down. Hold the side button and release when the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 7: Press and hold both the volume down and Sleep/Wake (side) button at the same time. Release both when the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 6 or SE (first generation): Press and hold the Sleep/Wake (side) button and the home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

Force quitting your iPhone is a simple way to reboot it and, hopefully, fix whatever sluggishness compelled you to do so in the first place. If your phone is still acting up, you may need to look into different fixes.