If you’ve just upgraded to the iPhone 15, you might be wondering how to power it down. Unlike older iPhones that had a Home button, Apple’s modern design uses button combinations and on-screen sliders to shut down the device. Whether you’re powering off for troubleshooting, saving battery, or just giving your phone a break, this guide will walk you through how to turn off the iPhone 15 step by step.
Key Takeaways
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You can turn off the iPhone 15 using button combinations or through the Settings app.
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Holding Side button + Volume Up/Down brings up the power-off slider.
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Turning off is different from locking the screen—powering down completely shuts the phone off.
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If your iPhone is unresponsive, you may need to use a force restart instead.
Why Turn Off Your iPhone 15?
While most users keep their phones on 24/7, there are times when shutting down is useful:
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Troubleshooting: Fixing bugs, glitches, or performance issues.
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Battery saving: Conserving power if you can’t charge soon.
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Restarting cleanly: Refreshing system processes.
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Storage & privacy: Turning it off before storing or traveling.
Method 1: Turn Off iPhone 15 with Buttons
The quickest way to power down is by using physical buttons.
Steps:
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Press and hold the Side button (right side of phone).
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At the same time, press and hold Volume Up or Volume Down.
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Keep holding until the power-off slider appears on the screen.
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Drag the slider from left to right.
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Wait a few seconds—your iPhone will shut down completely.
✅ Tip: If you only press the Side button once, it will just lock the screen (not turn off the device).
Method 2: Turn Off iPhone 15 from Settings
If you prefer not to use buttons, you can shut down through Settings.
Steps:
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Open the Settings app.
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Go to General.
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Scroll to the bottom and tap Shut Down.
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The power-off slider will appear.
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Swipe it to turn off your iPhone.
This method is especially handy if your buttons aren’t working.
Method 3: Force Shutdown if iPhone 15 is Unresponsive
Sometimes, your iPhone may freeze and won’t respond to normal shutdown steps. In that case, you’ll need to perform a hard reset (force restart).
Steps:
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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.
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Keep holding until you see the Apple logo, then release.
⚠️ Note: This is not a regular shutdown—it forces your iPhone to restart.
How to Turn iPhone 15 Back On
Once your iPhone 15 is off, you can turn it back on easily:
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Press and hold the Side button.
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Release when the Apple logo appears.
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Your phone will boot up normally.
Differences Between Locking, Restarting, and Turning Off
| Action | What It Does | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lock Screen | Turns off display, phone stays powered on | Everyday use, quick privacy |
| Restart | Shuts down and powers back on | Fixing minor glitches |
| Shut Down | Completely powers off iPhone | Long rest, troubleshooting, battery saving |
| Force Restart | Forces reboot when unresponsive | Frozen screen, system crash |
Troubleshooting: iPhone 15 Won’t Turn Off
If your iPhone refuses to power down:
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Check buttons → A faulty Side or Volume button might be the issue.
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Use Settings → Shut Down as an alternative.
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Force restart if completely frozen.
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If nothing works, contact Apple Support—there may be a hardware issue.
Tips Before Turning Off iPhone 15
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Save any unsent messages or unfinished notes.
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Plug in your iPhone if the battery is extremely low.
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If traveling, turning off helps conserve power for emergencies.
Conclusion
Turning off the iPhone 15 is simple once you know the right steps. You can use the Side + Volume button combo, shut it down via Settings, or perform a force restart if it’s frozen. Whether you’re troubleshooting or saving battery, powering off your iPhone occasionally is a healthy practice.
Now that you know how to turn off the iPhone 15, you can keep your device under control in any situation.
FAQs: Turning Off iPhone 15
1. Can I turn off my iPhone 15 without using buttons?
Yes, go to Settings → General → Shut Down.
2. Will I lose data if I turn off my iPhone 15?
No, turning off doesn’t delete data. It simply powers down the phone.
3. What’s the difference between sleep and shutdown?
Sleep (lock screen) turns off the display only, while shutdown powers off the whole device.
4. My iPhone 15 is frozen—how do I force it off?
Use the hard reset sequence: Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold Side button until Apple logo appears.
5. How do I turn on iPhone 15 after shutting it down?
Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.