The iPhone 15 is packed with features and power, but sometimes you just need to shut it down — whether to save battery, troubleshoot a glitch, or simply give it a break. If you’re new to the iPhone or upgrading from an older model, you may notice that powering off isn’t as straightforward as it used to be.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through every method to shut down iPhone 15 step by step — using buttons, Settings, Accessibility tools, and even emergency shortcuts. We’ll also cover how to turn it back on, how to force restart if it’s frozen, and tips for keeping your phone healthy.
📌 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)
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To shut down iPhone 15 with buttons: Press and hold the Side button + Volume Up or Down until the slider appears.
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To shut down from Settings: Go to Settings > General > Shut Down.
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If the screen is frozen: Use a force restart (button sequence).
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Shutting down is different from restarting — it fully powers off your iPhone.
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Restarting once in a while can improve performance and fix minor issues.
Why Would You Shut Down iPhone 15?
Just like a computer, your iPhone benefits from being powered down occasionally. Reasons include:
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Troubleshooting issues: Restarting can fix app glitches and lag.
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Battery saving: Powering off helps if you won’t use it for hours or days.
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System refresh: It clears temporary memory and refreshes iOS.
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Storage or travel: Apple recommends shutting down if storing your iPhone long-term.
Method 1: Shut Down iPhone 15 Using Buttons
The most common way is using the hardware buttons.
Steps:
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Press and hold the Side button (on the right side of your iPhone).
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At the same time, hold either the Volume Up or Volume Down button (on the left side).
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Keep holding until you see the “slide to power off” slider at the top of the screen.
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Drag the slider from left to right.
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Your iPhone 15 will shut down within a few seconds.
👉 Note: Pressing the Side button alone will only lock the screen or activate Siri, not power down.
Method 2: Shut Down iPhone 15 from Settings
If your buttons are broken or you prefer software methods, use the Settings app.
Steps:
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Open the Settings app.
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Tap General.
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Scroll down and select Shut Down.
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Drag the Power Off slider to the right.
✅ This is the best method if your physical buttons don’t work.
Method 3: Force Restart (When iPhone Won’t Shut Down)
Sometimes your iPhone 15 may freeze and not respond. In that case, you’ll need to force restart.
Steps to Force Restart iPhone 15:
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Quickly press and release Volume Up.
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Quickly press and release Volume Down.
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Press and hold the Side button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
👉 This doesn’t just shut down — it forces the iPhone to reboot.
Method 4: Shut Down Using AssistiveTouch
Accessibility features can also help you power down your phone.
Steps:
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Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
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Turn on AssistiveTouch. A floating menu button will appear on your screen.
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Tap the button > Device > More > Restart or Shut Down.
This is useful if you want to avoid using physical buttons.
How to Turn iPhone 15 Back On
Once your phone is off, turning it back on is easy.
Steps:
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Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
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Release the button and wait for your iPhone to boot up.
Shut Down vs. Restart vs. Force Restart
| Action | What It Does | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Shut Down | Powers off the device completely | Battery saving, storage, rest |
| Restart | Turns off and on normally | Fixing small glitches |
| Force Restart | Reboots even if frozen | When iPhone is unresponsive |
Troubleshooting: iPhone 15 Won’t Shut Down?
If your iPhone 15 refuses to turn off:
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Make sure you’re holding Side + Volume together.
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Try shutting down via Settings > General > Shut Down.
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If frozen, perform a force restart.
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Update iOS — sometimes bugs prevent proper shutdown.
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If nothing works, contact Apple Support.
Tips for Healthy iPhone Power Management
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Restart weekly to keep iOS smooth.
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Use Low Power Mode if your goal is saving battery, instead of shutting down often.
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Shut down if storing your iPhone for weeks/months (ideal at 50% charge).
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Avoid frequent force restarts — they’re for emergencies only.
Conclusion
Shutting down your iPhone 15 is simple once you know the right methods:
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Use Side + Volume button combo for the classic method.
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Use Settings > Shut Down if your buttons don’t work.
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Use a force restart if your iPhone is frozen.
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Accessibility tools like AssistiveTouch also provide alternatives.
Now you can power down your iPhone 15 anytime — whether to save battery, troubleshoot, or just give it a rest.
FAQs: How to Shut Down iPhone 15
1. Can I turn off iPhone 15 with only the Side button?
No. The Side button alone activates Siri or sleep mode. You must use it with a Volume button.
2. What if my screen is frozen and the slider won’t move?
Do a force restart using the button sequence.
3. Does shutting down harm my iPhone 15?
Not at all — it’s safe and sometimes recommended.
4. How often should I shut down my iPhone 15?
Not required daily, but restarting once a week can improve performance.
5. Can I schedule iPhone 15 to shut down automatically?
No, iOS doesn’t have this feature. But you can schedule Downtime in Screen Time to limit use.