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It’s frustrating when your iPhone won’t turn on. Get to the bottom of the issue as fast as possible by assessing causes and solutions.
Here are a few common reasons why your iPhone may not be working properly and will not turn on for you:
Power issues: Check to see if your battery simply needs charging. You might also have a faulty charging cable or a clogged charging port.
Hardware malfunction: Look for damage to your phone’s exterior or power button, particularly after a drop or exposure to water.
Battery problems: Batteries can age to the point where they no longer charge, requiring a replacement.
Software malfunction: Your phone might seem temporarily unresponsive during, or after, an iOS update. Buggy apps can also cause your phone to crash.
Overheating: If your iPhone overheats, it might shut down as a protective measure until internal temperatures drop.
In many cases, these issues can be resolved with a simple repair.
Multiple repair options can help fix an unresponsive iPhone:
DIY troubleshooting: Try cleaning your phone’s charging port or using a different cable to determine if a hardware issue is responsible for your iPhone issues.
Apple assistance: Schedule a visit with an Apple Authorised Service Provider for hands-on help.
Dry your device: If your iPhone has sustained water damage, move it to a dry surface and power it down quickly. Remove hardware like the SIM card if possible, along with your phone’s case. Gently dry your phone’s ports and use silica gel packets — not rice — to wick out water.
Connect to a computer: Connecting it to a computer may force it to turn on. You can then force your iPhone to restart, or begin a factory reset, to restore functionality.
The best way to limit iPhone damage — and avoid an unresponsive device — is to take care of your phone as it ages.
Here are a few ways you can increase the longevity of your iPhone:
Invest in a quality case: Use a sturdy, hard-shell case that absorbs shocks and protects your device in the event of an unexpected drop or fall.
Avoid water exposure: Keep it away from water and other liquids, even if it offers water-resistant features.
Update iOS regularly: Use the latest operating system to enhance your iPhone’s performance and avoid potential security issues.
Clean your device regularly: Use a microfiber cloth and an approved disinfectant to clean the screen and body.
It’s also important to monitor your iPhone’s battery health. Devices with iOS 11.3 and later come with battery health features that can help you understand battery percentages and trends. This information helps users save battery power and anticipate the need for battery replacement.
Force-starting a dead iPhone can sometimes help revive a device that appears dead, saving on repair costs and extending its life.
The force-start process will depend on the model you use. For iPhone 8 models and later, press and release the volume up button. Then, press and release the volume down button.
Perform the force-start process on an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus by holding down side and volume down buttons at the same time. For iPhone 6 or earlier models, hold down both the home and side buttons — or the home and top buttons — simultaneously.
No matter the iPhone model you use, hold down the correct buttons to see if your iPhone enters recovery mode.
There are several ways to tell if your iPhone is likely dead:
No response to power cycle: Your iPhone won’t start after you press and hold the power button, even after attempting to charge it.
No computer recognition: Your computer does not recognise that a device has been plugged into it.
Physical damage: Visible signs of damage can include cracks, shattered screens, dents, or chips in the charging port.
Blank screen: The phone only shows a black, blank screen, with no backlight or Apple logo after you attempt to power it on.
These signs can all indicate that it’s time to replace a dead iPhone.
Is your iPhone completely frozen on one screen? Check out our 4 tips if your iPhone freezes.
Before purchasing your replacement, it’s important to determine what you’re looking for in your next device. This is also an opportunity to choose a reliable phone vendor.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when replacing your iPhone:
Compare models: Review features from recent models, particularly between iPhone 14 and iPhone 15, to find the best device for you.
Assess personal and professional needs: Decide which features best suit the ways you use the device.
Consider a used device: Refurbished iPhones provide steep cost savings and often offer warranties for guaranteed performance.
Set a budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend on your next iPhone.
If you decide to replace a dead iPhone, make sure to purchase from an authorised retailer. This ensures you’ll receive the best products, deals, and customer service.
An iPhone can also freeze during the start-up process, often resulting in a device that is stuck on the Apple logo. Software glitches, failed iOS updates, and problems with specific apps can all cause this issue.
Here’s what you can do:
Follow the force-start process for your device.
Use Apple Configurator to troubleshoot through recovery mode.
Perform a quick inspection to rule out any hardware issues like sticky buttons or a faulty charging port.
Connect to a computer and reinstall the latest iOS update.
These steps can help encourage your iPhone out of a start-up freeze or loop.
If you've followed our guide and determined that your iPhone is truly unusable, or it's cheaper to replace it, then make sure to keep it out of our landfills and dispose of it properly. Better yet, get paid for it and sell through a verified platform like Back Market, earning money through a trade-in program. This will give you a little extra room in the budget for your next iPhone purchase and supports sustainability by giving your old device a new life.
Here are a few tips to sell your iPhone, but Back Market's Trade In platform makes it easy:
Get an instant offer from Back Market after answering a few questions about the condition of your phone.
Review and accept your offer online.
Disconnect your Apple account and reset your phone.
Ship your device directly to the buyer for free.
Get cash deposited directly to your account.
If your trade in offer isn't ideal, you can also opt to recycle your old iPhone or donate it to a non-profit organisation that can use the parts for education or technical training. Whatever you choose to do, what's important is that you're finding a way to keep e-waste from harming the planet.
When not fighting the good fight for environmental sustainability, Haziq loves making reviews of everything and anything tech-related.
The iPhone 11 is sometimes called the best smartphone in the world. However, this title naturally comes at a price. Where can you find it at the best price and keep its great quality? We've put the facts on the table.
How much does the iPhone 12 cost and where can I find it cheaper?
Read below for our "Which iPhone Has the Best Camera in 2024?" Ultimate Guide.
Which refurbished iPhone offers the best value for your money? Here’s how to choose the right iPhone for your needs and lifestyle.
If you’re an iPhone user, you probably know that Apple releases “the most advanced iPhone ever” every year, making you wonder whether it's time for an upgrade. We’ll guide you through all the differences and similarities between the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 14 to help make that decision a bit easier.
While the iPhone 12 is one of the older iPhone models, it's still a user-friendly smartphone that supports most modern apps. Not only does it hold a wide variety of features, it still works very efficiently as a phone and a way to stay connected. Learn about iPhone 12 Black Friday deals and if they’re worth your time in our article.
After two years, Apple’s iPhone 14 is still a solid phone with several decent, if not spectacular, upgrades from its predecessor. And though it doesn’t compare as well to the iPhone 15, it is an excellent, and far more affordable, device. We give you the lowdown on the previous generation of Apple’s flagship phone in this iPhone 14 review.
The iPhone 14 is the latest entry level phone from Apple. It was released in 2022, along with the iPhone 14 Plus, Pro and Pro Max. Retailing for upwards of £849 for a brand new model, it’s important that buyers know what it is they are paying for with an iPhone 14. Whilst it does boast a few improvements compared to the iPhone 13, some phone experts feel that it's not that big an upgrade. So, how much is the iPhone 14, is it worth the price, how can you find it cheaper and what are those standout new features? We'll dive into all these questions and more as we explore the price of this Apple iPhone.
Is your iPhone frozen? A force restart or charge can often resolve a frozen iPhone screen. Check out these 4 tips with step-by-step instructions.
While all of the batteries in our smartphones are healthy, they don’t all come with brand new batteries. You can boost a selection of the smartphones on Back Market with a brand new battery. While this gives some super users peace of mind, here’s what you need to know about getting extra battery pep with your used phone purchase.
If you’re looking for the biggest and best iPhone batteries, you’ll find that the iPhone Pro Max or Plus models tend to have a longer battery life. However, you may be surprised to find that even the newest iPhone models did not get a longer battery life upgrade with Apple's latest release.
Have you ever wondered, “Why is my battery draining so fast”? From poor-quality chargers to notifications, you can limit battery draining with these 10 tips.
Published May 20, 2024 - Here’s how to get water out of your phone: Move it to a dry place, turn it off right away, remove any wet parts, and gently dry the ports. Remember to skip the rice. It’s bad for your phone, and it doesn’t work. Try silica gel packets instead.
Published May 20, 2024 - Your phone screen can go black for a few reasons, like software issues, LED display problems, the need for a factory reset, overheating, or malware. But don’t panic — the problem might be fixable. Before digging into your wallet, check out the quick fixes in our guide below.
How long do refurbished phones last? About as long as its new counterpart. Here’s what you need to know about refurbished phone longevity and other FAQs.
Have a slow performing, freezing, or crashing Android? Our guide breaks down how to factory reset your Android in 4 scenarios that wipe your device clean.
