How to Fully Turn Off iPhone 15: A Step-by-Step Guide

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If you just bought the iPhone 15 and are wondering how to fully turn off iPhone 15, you’re not alone. While Apple has streamlined many features, shutting down the iPhone has become slightly less obvious for new users. Whether you’re powering down for troubleshooting, saving battery life, or just giving your phone a rest, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

  • Multiple ways to power off iPhone 15.

  • Why you might want to shut it down instead of just locking the screen.

  • Step-by-step instructions with button combinations.

  • Troubleshooting tips if your iPhone won’t turn off.

  • FAQs to clear common doubts.

Let’s dive in.

Why Would You Need to Fully Turn Off iPhone 15?

You might ask yourself, “Why not just let the screen go dark?” After all, most of us simply press the side button to lock our phones. But there are several good reasons to completely shut it down:

  • Battery preservation – When you won’t use your iPhone for hours or days.

  • Troubleshooting – Restarting after software glitches, crashes, or lags.

  • Safe storage – Powering down before traveling or storing for long periods.

  • Resetting network or apps – A complete shutdown can clear temporary bugs.

Think of it like giving your iPhone a good night’s sleep instead of just a short nap.

How to Fully Turn Off iPhone 15 (The Basics)

Apple gives you a couple of ways to turn off your iPhone 15:

  1. Using physical buttons (most common).

  2. Using Settings (if buttons don’t work).

  3. Using AssistiveTouch (an accessibility feature).

We’ll go through each method step by step.

Method 1: How to Fully Turn Off iPhone 15 Using Buttons

The quickest way to shut down your iPhone 15 is by pressing a button combination.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Press and hold the Side button (located on the right side of your iPhone).

  2. At the same time, press and hold one of the Volume buttons (either up or down).

  3. Hold both buttons until the “slide to power off” screen appears.

  4. Swipe the slider from left to right to power down your device.

  5. Wait until the screen goes completely black — that means your iPhone 15 is off.

💡 Tip: If you keep holding both buttons instead of sliding, your iPhone will activate Emergency SOS. Be careful not to trigger it accidentally.

Method 2: How to Turn Off iPhone 15 from Settings

If your buttons are broken or unresponsive, you can shut down your phone via Settings.

Here’s how:

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Scroll down and tap General.

  3. Scroll to the very bottom and tap Shut Down.

  4. The power off slider will appear — slide it to turn off your iPhone.

This method is slower but very handy when physical buttons don’t work.

Method 3: How to Use AssistiveTouch to Turn Off iPhone 15

AssistiveTouch is an accessibility feature that puts a floating button on your screen. It’s especially useful if your hardware buttons are damaged.

Steps to enable AssistiveTouch:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.

  2. Turn on AssistiveTouch — a small floating button will appear.

  3. Tap the AssistiveTouch button > Device > More > Restart.

  4. Once restarted, you can again shut down through Settings > General > Shut Down.

How to Restart iPhone 15 After Turning It Off

After shutting down, you’ll eventually need to turn your iPhone back on.

To restart:

  1. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

  2. Release the button.

  3. Your iPhone 15 will boot up normally.

Simple, right?

What If iPhone 15 Won’t Turn Off? (Troubleshooting)

Sometimes, your iPhone may freeze and refuse to bring up the shutdown slider. Here’s what you can do.

1. Force Restart iPhone 15

This doesn’t shut it down normally but forces a reboot.

Steps:

  1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

  2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.

  3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

This can fix most frozen-screen issues.

2. Check for Software Updates

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS.

3. Reset All Settings

If shutdown issues persist, reset your iPhone settings under:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Difference Between Locking Screen and Shutting Down

Feature Lock Screen Power Off
Battery Usage Still consumes some Saves maximum battery
Notifications Keep coming No new notifications
Background Apps Continue running Fully stopped
Restart Needed? No Yes, to use again

So, turning off your iPhone is more like unplugging a TV — it cuts off everything until you switch it back on.

When Should You Turn Off iPhone 15?

  • When traveling long hours without charging options.

  • When troubleshooting lag, overheating, or app crashes.

  • When you won’t use your iPhone overnight or during meetings.

  • Before handing your phone to Apple Support or repair services.

Common Mistakes People Make While Turning Off iPhone 15

  • Holding only the Side button: This opens Siri instead of shutdown.

  • Not swiping the slider: Your phone won’t shut down until you slide.

  • Holding too long: Accidentally activating Emergency SOS.

  • Forgetting passcode after restart: Always remember your passcode, as Face ID requires it after reboot.

Quick Recap: How to Fully Turn Off iPhone 15

  1. Press Side + Volume button until “slide to power off” appears.

  2. Slide to shut down.

  3. Alternatively, go to Settings > General > Shut Down.

  4. Use AssistiveTouch if buttons don’t work.

  5. To restart, hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows.

Pro Tips for Managing iPhone 15 Power

  • Use Low Power Mode when you don’t want to fully shut down but still save energy.

  • Restart weekly to keep performance smooth.

  • Turn off background refresh for apps that drain battery.

  • Airplane mode is a middle option — it cuts off connectivity but keeps the phone on.

Conclusion

Knowing how to fully turn off iPhone 15 is a small but essential skill. Whether you want to save battery, fix software issues, or simply power down for peace of mind, you now know three reliable methods: using buttons, Settings, or AssistiveTouch.

Remember — turning off your iPhone is different from just locking the screen. A full shutdown can sometimes be the simplest solution to glitches or battery drain.

So next time your iPhone 15 acts up, you’ll know exactly what to do.

FAQs About Turning Off iPhone 15

1. How do I turn off iPhone 15 without using buttons?

Go to Settings > General > Shut Down and swipe the slider.

2. Can I schedule my iPhone 15 to turn off automatically?

No, iOS doesn’t allow scheduled shutdowns, but you can schedule Do Not Disturb or Sleep Mode.

3. What happens when I turn off my iPhone?

All apps, background processes, and network connections stop until you restart.

4. Does turning off iPhone 15 save battery?

Yes. A powered-off iPhone uses no battery except for minimal system preservation.

5. Is force restart the same as turning off iPhone?

No. A force restart simply reboots the device; it doesn’t shut it down fully.

✅ Key Takeaways:

  • Use Side + Volume button combo for quick shutdown.

  • Use Settings > Shut Down if buttons don’t work.

  • Use AssistiveTouch as an alternative.

  • A full shutdown saves battery and fixes glitches better than screen lock.

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