What To Do If Your iPhone Won’t Turn On
It can be stressful when your iPhone suddenly won’t turn on, but don’t panic – there are some steps you can try to get it working again. First, remain calm and methodically troubleshoot the issue. Determine if it’s a hardware or software problem. A software issue is often easier to resolve. Try force restarting the iPhone by pressing and holding the Side and Volume Up buttons for 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo. This hard reset can get stuck iPhones unfreezed.
Next, check that the battery is not completely drained. Plug your iPhone into power and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to turn it on again. An iPhone with a battery drained too low can get stuck in a shutdown state until it has sufficient power. If the iPhone still won’t turn on after prolonged charging, the issue is likely hardware-related. You may need to try restoring the device using a computer or seek repair options. But first, exhaust software troubleshooting like force restarting and charging before assuming the worst.
Sources:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201412
https://beebom.com/fix-iphone-wont-turn-on/
Force Restarting the iPhone
One of the first things to try when your iPhone won’t turn on is force restarting it. This can often resolve problems caused by software glitches and get your phone back up and running.
To force restart an iPhone 8 or later model, press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. This should take at least 10 seconds (Apple Support).
Force restarting your iPhone essentially performs a hard reboot, abruptly powering down your device and turning it back on. It clears out any temporary software problems that may be preventing your iPhone from turning on normally. While it doesn’t fix hardware issues, it’s a good first troubleshooting step for any software-related startup problems.
Always try force restarting your iPhone before taking more drastic measures. It’s easy to do and can get your device working again in just a minute or two. If the Apple logo doesn’t appear after holding the buttons for 30-60 seconds, there may be a hardware issue requiring professional repair.
Checking and Charging the Battery
One of the first troubleshooting steps when an iPhone won’t turn on is to plug it into a charger and let it charge for a minimum of 30 minutes. Simply connect your iPhone to a wall charger using an official Apple lightning cable. Leave the phone charging for at least half an hour before trying to turn it on again.
If your iPhone still won’t turn on or show any signs of life after 30 minutes of charging, the battery itself may need service. An iPhone that won’t power on even after sustained charging likely has an issue with the physical battery hardware. Getting the battery replaced can often resolve problems with the phone not turning on.
As a first step, always try charging a non-responsive iPhone for an extended time before assuming other hardware issues. Letting the battery charge up may help it regain enough power to turn the phone on again. However, if charging does not work, the battery itself probably needs to be examined and potentially replaced [1].
Hardware vs. Software Issues
Determining whether your iPhone issue is caused by a hardware or software problem can help guide troubleshooting steps. Software issues can often be resolved by force restarting, restoring from backup, or updating to the latest iOS version. However, hardware problems like battery failure, screen damage, or logic board issues require physical repair or replacement of components.
Signs of software-related problems include slow performance, app crashes, freezing, or other glitches that a restore may fix. But hardware problems like a cracked screen or non-responsive buttons indicate physical defects. You can try isolating the issue by force restarting the iPhone or testing in Safe Mode. Persistent issues after eliminating software causes likely point to hardware faults.
Apple notes that distinguishing between hardware and software issues can be tricky. But running diagnostics and systematically eliminating software factors can help identify hardware defects over time. If hardware tests or inspection at an Apple Store confirm physical damage, repair or replacement of iPhone components may be necessary.
Sources:
How to know if an iPhone screen issue is software related or hardware related
Backing Up and Restoring iPhone
Before attempting to restore your iPhone, it’s important to back up your data first. You can back up your iPhone to iCloud or to iTunes on your computer. Backing up ensures you won’t lose any data or settings when restoring.
To back up to iCloud, make sure you’re connected to WiFi and connected to a power source. Then go to Settings > Your Name, and tap on iCloud. Make sure iCloud Backup is turned on. Your phone will automatically back up to iCloud periodically when plugged in, locked, and connected to WiFi.
You can also back up to iTunes on your computer. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes. Click on your iPhone icon, then on Back Up Now to do a manual backup. iTunes will save a copy of your iPhone data on your computer.
Once you’ve backed up your iPhone, you can restore it in Recovery Mode to fix software issues. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode by connecting it to your computer while holding down the Home button. In iTunes, you’ll get a prompt to Restore or Update. This will install the latest iOS software and restore your data and settings from the backup.
See this Apple support article for complete instructions on restoring your iPhone from a backup.
Getting Data Off iPhone
If your iPhone won’t turn on, the first step is to try and back up your data before attempting any repairs. Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed and see if it detects the device. If so, you may be able to back up iPhone data to your computer.
If the phone isn’t detected or you don’t have a recent backup, you’ll need data recovery software to access and retrieve your information. Programs like iMyFone D-Back or iSkysoft iphone data recovery can extract data from an iPhone even if it won’t turn on. These tools can retrieve photos, messages, contacts, and other data.
For severe physical damage or if DIY software recovery efforts fail, there are professional iPhone data recovery services that can access and restore data using specialized tools. However, these services can be expensive so try software and backup options first.
When to Seek Repair
If your iPhone still won’t power on after trying a force restart and charging the battery, it likely requires hardware repair. Physical damage like a cracked screen or water damage can also prevent an iPhone from turning on properly. In these cases, you will need to take the phone in for service.
If your iPhone is no longer under warranty, you have a few options for third party repair services. Apple Authorized Service Providers can perform many repairs using genuine Apple parts, though costs may be higher than independent repair shops. Be cautious with unauthorized repair shops, as low-quality parts or improper techniques could further damage your iPhone. Research repair shops carefully and check reviews before choosing one.
For significant damage like a cracked screen or water damage, you may need to mail your iPhone to a specialty data recovery service instead. They have sophisticated tools to repair physical damage and attempt to recover data if the phone’s logic board is damaged. However, these services can be expensive with no guarantee of recovering your data.
Apple Support and Warranty for iPhones
All new iPhones come with a 1 year limited warranty from Apple covering defects in materials and workmanship [1]. During this warranty period, Apple provides hardware repair or replacement options free of charge if your iPhone experiences an eligible issue.
If your iPhone won’t turn on, Apple recommends first trying steps like force restarting, charging, and updating the device software. If the issue persists, contact Apple support by phone, chat, or email for troubleshooting assistance [2]. Apple support can run diagnostics, provide tips for a solution, or arrange mail-in service options.
If Apple determines your iPhone requires hardware repair covered under warranty, they will fix or replace it free of charge. If the damage is due to accidental damage or out of warranty, fees may apply for repair or replacement service.
Data Recovery Services
Professional data recovery services should be considered as a last resort option if you are unable to recover data yourself or through Apple support. While expensive, these services use specialized tools and techniques that can retrieve data even in complex situations where the iPhone is damaged or won’t power on.
Some reputable data recovery services like Rossmann Repair Group and FlashFixers offer iPhone data recovery starting at around $300 and going up to $450 or more depending on the device and complexity. The process usually takes 1-3 business days once the device is received. Costs can be significantly higher through other providers.
Data recovery services use techniques like specialized hardware and software to bypass security, repair components, and extract data directly from iPhone memory and storage chips. This allows data retrieval even if the operating system is corrupted or device is physically damaged. So while costly, it offers the best chance of data recovery when all other options have failed.
Before choosing a service, be sure to research their reputation, capabilities, and pricing. Look for positive reviews and expertise recovering data specifically from iPhones and iOS devices. Understand the costs ahead of time, as fees usually depend on the specific device, damage, and how much data needs recovered.Rossmann Repair Group, FlashFixers
Preparing for Next Time
To avoid data loss and expensive repairs in the future, it’s important to take some proactive steps:
Always maintain good backups of your iPhone data. You can use iCloud or iTunes to regularly back up your device. Refer to Apple’s support guide for instructions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203977
Consider purchasing insurance or an extended warranty plan to help limit repair costs if your iPhone is damaged. AppleCare+ can provide additional hardware coverage: https://www.apple.com/support/products/iphone/
Use protective cases and screen protectors to avoid cracks and water damage. Avoid exposing your iPhone to moisture or extreme impacts that could cause hardware issues.
With some preventative steps, you can minimize both data loss and costly repairs in the event your iPhone won’t power on.