When faced with a non-responsive iPhone screen, powering it off can seem like an impossible task. Whether it’s due to a malfunctioning display, a cracked screen, or liquid damage, the inability to access the power button can leave you feeling frustrated and at a loss. However, fear not! There are several ingenious methods that allow you to power off your iPhone without the need for a functional screen. These ingenious techniques empower you to regain control over your device, troubleshoot issues, and ultimately restore its functionality.
One simple yet effective method is to use the AssistiveTouch feature. This feature provides an on-screen virtual button that mirrors the functionality of the physical buttons, including the power button. To enable AssistiveTouch, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. Once enabled, you can access the virtual power button by tapping the AssistiveTouch icon and selecting the “Device” option. From there, you can tap the “Lock Screen” button to power off your iPhone. This method is particularly useful for iPhones with physical damage to the power button.
Alternatively, you can utilize the Voice Control feature to power off your iPhone using voice commands. This feature allows you to control your device with your voice, eliminating the need for any physical interaction. To enable Voice Control, go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control. Once enabled, you can simply say “Hey Siri, turn off my iPhone” to initiate the power-off process. Voice Control offers a convenient and hands-free solution for powering off your iPhone, especially when other methods are inaccessible.
Utilize AssistiveTouch
The AssistiveTouch feature provides an accessible way to control your iPhone even without using the screen. To activate the AssistiveTouch menu, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Select “Accessibility” from the list of options.
- Scroll down and select “Touch” from the Accessibility menu.
- Enable the “AssistiveTouch” toggle switch.
Once the AssistiveTouch feature is activated, a small floating menu will appear on your iPhone screen. You can move this menu around by dragging it to any desired location on the screen.
To power off your iPhone using the AssistiveTouch menu, follow these steps:
- Tap on the AssistiveTouch floating menu to open it.
- Select the “Device” option from the menu.
- Tap on the “More” button in the bottom-right corner of the Device menu.
- Select the “Restart” option.
- Confirm your action by tapping on the “Restart” button again.
Your iPhone will now begin the restart process. Once the process is complete, your iPhone will be powered off.
Additional Tips
You can customize the AssistiveTouch menu to include other commonly used functions, such as volume control, screen lock, and screenshot capture. This allows you to easily access these functions even if your iPhone screen is damaged or unresponsive.
| AssistiveTouch Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AssistiveTouch Menu | A floating menu that provides access to various iPhone functions. |
| Device Menu | A submenu in the AssistiveTouch menu that includes options to restart, lock, or turn on VoiceOver. |
| Restart Option | An option in the Device menu that allows you to power off and restart your iPhone. |
Leverage Siri’s Voice Commands
If your iPhone’s screen is unresponsive or damaged, you can use Siri to power it off. Here’s how:
- Press and hold the Side button.
- When Siri activates, say “Hey Siri, turn off the phone.”
- Siri will confirm your request and prompt you to slide a confirmation button on the screen. Use the Volume Up and Down buttons to navigate the confirmation button.
Note:
| iPhone Model | Siri Command |
|---|---|
| iPhone 8 or earlier | “Hey Siri, turn off the phone.” |
| iPhone X and later | “Hey Siri, shut down the phone.” |
Once you slide the confirmation button, your iPhone will power off.
Connect to iTunes on a Computer
If you have access to a computer, you can use iTunes to power off your iPhone even if the screen is unresponsive. Here’s how:
Step 1: Make sure iTunes has the latest version
You’ll need to make sure that iTunes is up to date before you can proceed. Open iTunes and go to the “Help” menu. Select “Check for updates” and follow the prompts to install any available updates.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the Computer
Using a USB cable, connect your iPhone to the computer. Make sure that the cable is securely plugged into both devices.
Step 3: Force restart your iPhone using iTunes
The steps to force restart your iPhone using iTunes vary depending on the model of your iPhone. Refer to the table below for specific instructions:
| iPhone Model | Force Restart 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 until the recovery mode screen appears. |
| iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus | Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button until the recovery mode screen appears. |
| iPhone 6s and earlier | Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button until the recovery mode screen appears. |
Once you see the recovery mode screen, your iPhone will restart. Once it has restarted, it should be powered off. You can then disconnect your iPhone from the computer.
Employ the Volume Buttons and Sleep/Wake Button
Method 4: Utilize the AssistiveTouch Feature
AssistiveTouch provides an alternative way to power off your iPhone if the screen is unresponsive or cracked. Here’s how to use it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. | Enable AssistiveTouch in the “Settings” app under “Accessibility” > “Touch” > “AssistiveTouch”. |
| 2. | Customize the AssistiveTouch menu by tapping “Customize Top Level Menu”. Add the “Device” option to the menu. |
| 3. | Open the AssistiveTouch menu by tapping the floating AssistiveTouch button on the screen. |
| 4. | Select “Device” from the AssistiveTouch menu. |
| 5. | Tap the “Lock Screen” button to lock the screen. |
| 6. | Hold down the Sleep/Wake button and one of the Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds until the power off slider appears. |
| 7. | Slide the power off slider to turn off your iPhone. |
Utilize the Control Center Menu
If your iPhone’s screen is unresponsive or broken, you can still power it off using the Control Center Menu. Here’s how to do it:
- Press and hold the volume up and volume down buttons simultaneously.
- Release the buttons when the Control Center Menu appears.
- Swipe left to access the second page of the menu.
- Tap and hold the Power icon.
- Slide the Power Off slider to the right.
Additional Details:
* Make sure you press and hold both volume buttons simultaneously. Pressing only one button will not trigger the Control Center Menu.
* If the Control Center Menu does not appear, try pressing and holding the buttons again for a longer duration.
* The Power Off slider may not appear immediately. Keep holding the Power icon until it shows up.
* Once the Power Off slider appears, slide it all the way to the right to confirm the shutdown. Your iPhone will turn off.
Access the Shutdown Option in Settings
If your iPhone’s screen is unresponsive or damaged, you can still power it off using the Settings app. Here are the steps:
1. Connect to a Computer
Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable. This will allow you to access your iPhone’s settings from your computer.
2. Open iTunes or Finder
On your computer, open iTunes (for macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (for macOS Catalina or later). Your iPhone will appear in the sidebar.
3. Select Your iPhone
Click on your iPhone in the sidebar. This will open the Summary tab of your device’s settings.
4. Find the Back Up Tab
Click on the “Back Up” tab in the top menu bar. This will show you the backup options for your iPhone.
5. Choose Encrypt Local Backup
Make sure the “Encrypt local backup” checkbox is selected. This will encrypt your backup and protect your data.
6. Create a Backup
Click on the “Back Up Now” button to start creating a backup of your iPhone. This process may take some time, depending on the size of your backup.
| Feature | Value |
|—|—|
| Screen Resolution | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic chip |
| Camera | 12MP dual-camera system |
| Battery Life | Up to 17 hours of video playback |
| Water Resistance | IP68 rated |
Activate the Back Tap Accessibility Feature
If your iPhone’s screen is not responding, you can use this optional accessibility feature to power off your iPhone by tapping the back of the device.
To set up Back Tap, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch
- Scroll down and tap Back Tap
- Select Double Tap or Triple Tap
- Under “Actions”, scroll down and tap “Power Off”
After you enable this setting, you can simply tap the back of your iPhone twice or three times to power it off.
| Device | Double Tap | Triple Tap |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 8 and later | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 7 and earlier | No | No |
Note that you can also use assistive touch to power off your iPhone without using the screen. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch
- Turn on AssistiveTouch
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button on your screen
- Tap “Device”, then “More”
- Tap “Power Off”
Utilize a Third-Party App
If your iPhone’s screen is unresponsive and you can’t power it off through the usual methods, you can try using a third-party app that allows you to remotely control your device. Here are a few popular options:
| App Name | Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Mouse | Allows you to control your iPhone from a computer or another mobile device | Free |
| TeamViewer | Provides remote access to your iPhone from any device | Free for personal use |
| VNC Viewer | Open-source app that allows you to access your iPhone’s screen from a computer | Free |
To use a third-party app to power off your iPhone:
1. Install the app on your computer or another mobile device.
2. Connect your iPhone and the other device to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Launch the app and connect to your iPhone.
4. Use the app’s controls to navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone.
5. Tap on the “General” tab.
6. Scroll down and tap on the “Shut Down” button.
7. Confirm that you want to shut down your iPhone.
8. Your iPhone will now power off. Note that some third-party apps may require you to purchase a premium subscription to access all of their features, including the ability to power off your iPhone remotely.
Contact Apple Support
If you are unable to power off your iPhone using any of the methods above, you can contact Apple Support for assistance. They will be able to help you troubleshoot the issue and provide further instructions.
| Phone Number | Chat Support | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-800-MY-APPLE | support@apple.com | Click here to start a chat |
When contacting Apple Support, be sure to have your iPhone’s serial number and model number ready. You can find this information in the Settings app under General > About.
Apple Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, wait times may vary depending on the time of day and the issue you are experiencing.
Identify Alternative Methods
When faced with a non-responsive iPhone screen, alternative methods must be employed to power off the device. Here are several effective techniques to achieve this:
1. Hard Reset
Forcefully restarting your iPhone can terminate unresponsive processes and potentially fix the screen issue. To perform a hard reset, simultaneously press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button. Continue holding until the Apple logo appears.
2. AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch offers virtual access to various iPhone functions, including power controls. To enable AssistiveTouch, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and toggle it on. Once enabled, a virtual button will appear on the screen; double-tap it, select “Device,” then “More” to access the power options.
3. iTunes or Finder
Connecting your iPhone to a computer via iTunes or Finder allows you to remotely power off the device. Open iTunes or Finder, locate your iPhone under Devices, and click the “Eject” button. If necessary, put your iPhone in Recovery Mode by following the steps outlined in Apple Support (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210631).
4. Voice Control
If your iPhone’s Siri is enabled, you can use Voice Control to power off the device. Say “Hey Siri, turn off my iPhone.”
5. Google Assistant
For iPhones running iOS 14 or later, you can access Google Assistant through an app. Once installed, say “Hey Google, turn off my iPhone.”
6. Apple Watch
If you own an Apple Watch, you can use it to remotely power off your iPhone. On your Apple Watch, open the Settings app, select “General,” then “Power Off.” If your iPhone is nearby, a notification will appear on the Apple Watch screen.
7. Third-Party Apps
Various third-party apps are available on the App Store that can assist with powering off your iPhone without a screen. These apps typically create an on-screen button or launch a Siri shortcut that can be activated by a specific gesture or voice command.
8. Support From Apple
If all else fails, you can contact Apple Support for assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or arrange a repair if necessary.
9. Specialized Tools
Certain specialized tools are available that allow technicians to access and manipulate the iPhone’s internal components, including the power button.
10. Waiting for Battery Depletion
As a last resort, you can allow your iPhone to run out of battery. Once it powers off automatically, you can connect it to a charger to turn it back on. However, this method requires a significant amount of time and may not be practical in urgent situations.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Hard Reset | Press Volume Up + Power button simultaneously |
| AssistiveTouch | Enable AssistiveTouch, tap Device > More > Power |
| iTunes/Finder | Connect iPhone to computer, click Eject button |
How to Power Off iPhone Without Screen
If your iPhone’s screen is unresponsive or broken, you can power it off without using the screen. Here’s how:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for 10 seconds.
- Keep holding the button until the power off slider appears on the screen.
- Slide the slider to power off your iPhone.
