What to do if your iPhone doesn’t turn on: solution to the most feared problem

In this guide we explain how to solve this issue, including recommendations for newer models as well as older iPhones.

iPhone does not turn on: quick solutions

Check if your iPhone is fully charged

Although it sounds like a basic, one of the most common reasons why an iPhone does not turn on is that the battery is dead.

• Connect your iPhone to a charger: Be sure to use an Apple-certified power adapter and cable. The new iPhones, like the iPhone 16 Prothey come with USB-C ports, so check that the cable is compatible.
• Wait a few minutes: If the battery was completely depleted, it may take several minutes to display the charging symbol.
• Try another charger or port: If you don’t see a response, try a different cable, adapter, or USB port. It could be a problem in the connector, both in the terminal and the cable itself.

Perform a forced restart

If charging the device doesn’t work, a force restart can resolve software issues that are preventing the iPhone from turning on. We tell you how to do it:

• iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone 15 and 16): Press and quickly release the volume up button and then the volume down button. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo.
• iPhone 6s and earlier: Press the central home button together with the power button until the logo appears.

Check for possible physical or hardware damage

Sometimes the problem may be related to external damage. This is what you should check:

• Charging port: Make sure there is no dirt or lint blocking the connector.
• Damaged screen: If the iPhone has been dropped, the screen could be broken, even if the device is turned on.
• Liquid contact indicator: Check if the LCI indicator on the SIM tray is red, indicating that it has been in contact with water.

Connect iPhone to a computer

If force restart doesn’t work, connect your iPhone to a computer to see if it is recognized by Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (on Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier).

• Recovery mode: If the computer does not detect the iPhone, put it in recovery mode. The steps are the same as for a force restart, but press and hold the side button until you see the recovery screen. From here, you can update or restore the software.
• Errors in Finder or iTunes: If an error code appears, take note. This can help you identify if the problem is software or hardware related.

Restore or update your device

If your iPhone goes into recovery mode, you can try updating it to fix minor software issues without losing your data.

Update the operating system It is the best option if the problem is due to a faulty or buggy version of iOS. This process corrects errors without affecting your personal data. However, if this option does not solve the problem, you can choose to perform a complete restoration of the device. This method deletes all content stored on the iPhone, returning it to its factory settings. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure you have an up-to-date backup in iCloud or Finder before proceeding.

Alternative solutions for iPhone that does not turn on

Check for problems with iOS 18

New models, such as the iPhone 16 Pro or any compatible iPhone, have iOS 18 installed, and could present errors in their first versions. If the problem appeared after an update, consider using tools like Tenorshare ReiBoot either Dr.Fone to repair the operating system without losing data.

Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone does not turn on after following all the steps above, it could be a factory defect. Apple often releases replacement programs for specific models with known issues. Check if your device is covered.

If your iPhone is still within the warranty period, Apple may be able to repair it at no additional cost, as long as the issue is covered by its policies. On the other hand, users who have AppleCare+ They have additional benefits, such as quick replacement options or repairs at a reduced price, which can be a more convenient and economical solution.

Tips to prevent future problems

To prevent this situation from happening again, follow these recommendations:

• Keep your iPhone charged: prevents the battery from reaching 0% often.
• Update regularly: iOS updates not only add new features, but also fix bugs.
• Protect your device: Use cases and screen protectors to minimize damage from drops or liquids.
• Make frequent backups: in both iCloud and Finder so as not to lose important information.