A soft reset is an easy way to force restart your iPhone XS if it is frozen, unresponsive, or experiencing other issues. Soft resetting reboots the operating system and reloads all services without deleting any data. Here’s how to soft reset iPhone XS:
When to Soft Reset an iPhone XS
The most common reason to soft reset an iPhone XS is if the screen is frozen and unresponsive. Other signs you may need to soft reset include:
- Apps crashing frequently
- Device running slowly
- Buttons not working
- Touchscreen not responding
Soft resetting can often resolve these types of issues by interrupting whatever is going on and restarting the device.
How to Soft Reset iPhone XS
Soft resetting an iPhone XS is easy and only takes about 20 seconds. Here are the steps:
1. Press and Release Volume Up Button
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button on the left side of the iPhone.
2. Press and Release Volume Down Button
Next, quickly press and release the Volume Down button below the Volume Up button.
3. Press and Hold Power Button
Finally, press and hold the Power button on the right side of the iPhone XS.
4. Hold Until You See Apple Logo
Keep holding the Power button until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. This may take 10-20 seconds.
Once you see the Apple logo, you can release the Power button. The iPhone will finish booting up normally.
Troubleshooting Soft Reset
If your iPhone XS screen remains frozen after attempting to soft reset, try the process again. Make sure to quickly press and release the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons before pressing and holding the Power button.
If soft resetting continues to fail, you may need to force restart the iPhone XS by connecting it to a computer with iTunes and restoring.
Alternative: Standard Shut Down
You can also shut down an iPhone XS through the Settings app if the screen is still responsive:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Shut Down
- Slide to power off
This will turn off the iPhone without rebooting it. To turn it back on, press and hold the Power button as usual until you see the Apple logo.
When Not to Soft Reset
Avoid soft resetting your iPhone XS if you have any unsaved work open that you don’t want to lose. The reset will close all open apps and activities, which could result in data loss.
Also don’t soft reset during an iOS update or restore. Wait for it to finish before soft resetting.
Benefits of Soft Resetting iPhone XS
While force restarting the iPhone XS may seem inconvenient compared to earlier models, soft resetting can resolve many common issues quickly without deleting any personal data or settings. It’s a useful troubleshooting technique for any iPhone owner to know.