Turn ON/OFF or Restart iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
By Robert Jones · 2022-07-17
Right, listen up. Even though I spend most of my time with speakers and amps, I know these iPhones can be a bit tricky. This guide will sort you out with turning off, restarting, and powering on your iPhone 12, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max. Simple, no-nonsense advice.
Right, listen up. While I spend most of my days faffing about with crossovers, speaker drivers, and trying to get bass response just right in a tricky room, I'm not completely cut off from the modern world. Like most of us these days, I've got an iPhone – specifically, an iPhone 12 Pro, actually. And let me tell you, even for someone who's been tinkering with tech for decades, these new-fangled gadgets can sometimes throw you a curveball. Basic things, mind. Like how to just switch the damn thing off, or give it a good old restart when it's playing up. Now, you might be thinking, "Robert, what's this got to do with speakers?" Well, nothing directly, I suppose. But a lot of you out there, the same folks who read my reviews on valve amps and Danish floorstanders, also have iPhones. And, frankly, sometimes technology just needs a bit of a reset. Whether it's your phone freezing during a Spotify playback session, or just being a bit sluggish when you're trying to find that perfect track to test your new speakers, knowing these simple tricks can save you a fair bit of grief. So, consider this a public service announcement, from your friendly neighbourhood audio enthusiast. **Quick Verdict: A simple guide for essential iPhone 12 power control.** ### Why Bother Turning Your Phone Off or Restarting It? It sounds daft, doesn't it? "Why would I want to turn off my phone?" Most of us just leave them on, charging them overnight, only to wake up and carry on as if nothing happened. But, and this is a big but, these phones are basically tiny, powerful computers. And like any computer, they benefit from a good old reboot now and then. It clears out all the temporary files, closes down processes that might be hogging resources, and generally gives the whole system a bit of a spruce up. I've seen it countless times where an app's being a bit flaky, or the Wi-Fi's playing silly beggars, and a quick restart sorts it all out. It's the digital equivalent of giving your amplifier a good clean with a contact cleaner – gets things flowing properly again. Then there's the "turn it off" brigade. For some, it's about saving battery if you know you won't be near a charger for a while. For others, it's a bit of digital detox, a moment of peace away from the incessant pings and notifications. My missus, bless her, insists on turning hers off every Sunday evening for a few hours. Says it "clears her head." Can't argue with that, can you? ### The iPhone 12 Series: A Quick Nod to Design Before we get stuck into the how-to, let's just appreciate the iPhone 12 models for a moment. Apple really knocked it out of the park with that flat-edge design, didn't they? Reminds me a bit of the older iPhone 4 and 5, which I always quite liked for their solid, tactile feel. The iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max, they all share pretty much the same button layout, which makes this guide relevant for all of 'em. Good on Apple for keeping things consistent, it saves a lot of head-scratching when you're trying to figure out if your specific model has a different way of doing things. I've got the Pro, as I said, and the ceramic shield screen is surprisingly tough. Dropped it once or twice, and it's still in one piece, thankfully. Saves a few quid on repairs, eh?  *Turn ON/OFF or Restart iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## How to Turn Off Your iPhone 12, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max (The Proper Way) This is the one that catches a lot of people out, especially if you're upgrading from an older iPhone with a home button. Gone are the days of just holding down one button. Apple, in their infinite wisdom, decided to make it a two-button job. Not rocket science, but not immediately obvious either. 1. **Locate the Buttons:** You'll need two hands for this, or at least two fingers. Find the **Side Button** (that's the big one on the right-hand side) and *either* the **Volume Up button** or the **Volume Down button** (on the left-hand side). Doesn't matter which volume button you choose, just one of them. 2. **Press and Hold Simultaneously:** Now, here's the trick. You need to press *and hold* both of those buttons *at the same time*. Don't just tap them, hold them down for a couple of seconds. 3. **The "Slide to Power Off" Slider Appears:** Keep holding until you see a "Slide to Power Off" slider appear on your screen. You might also see a "Medical ID" slider and an "Emergency SOS" slider. Just ignore those for now, unless you're in an actual emergency, of course. 4. **Slide to Power Off:** Once the slider appears, just drag it to the right. Simple as that. Your iPhone will then proceed to shut down. You'll see the Apple logo briefly, and then the screen will go black. This is the clean, proper way to shut down your phone. It allows all apps to close gracefully and ensures everything is saved correctly before the power cuts. Think of it as a nice, gentle shutdown, like switching off your Hi-Fi after letting the valves cool down for a bit. Always better than yanking the plug, isn't it? ### What if It's Frozen Solid? (The "Force Restart" Method) Now, sometimes, your phone just refuses to cooperate. The screen's unresponsive, nothing's happening, and you're just staring at a frozen image of your cat. This is where a "force restart" comes in handy. It's a bit like giving a stubborn piece of kit a good whack – not recommended for your amplifier, mind, but perfectly safe for your iPhone when it's completely locked up. This method doesn't require you to interact with the screen, which is precisely why it's so useful for frozen phones. It's a specific sequence of button presses, so pay attention. 1. **Press and Quickly Release Volume Up:** First, a quick press and then *immediately* let go of the **Volume Up button** on the left side. 2. **Press and Quickly Release Volume Down:** Next, a quick press and then *immediately* let go of the **Volume Down button**, also on the left side. 3. **Press and Hold the Side Button:** Finally, and this is the crucial part, press *and hold* the **Side Button** on the right side. Keep holding it. Don't let go, even when you see the "Slide to Power Off" slider appear. Just keep holding it. 4. **Wait for the Apple Logo:** After about 10-15 seconds (sometimes a bit longer), the screen will go black, and then the Apple logo will appear. Once you see the Apple logo, you can release the Side Button. Your iPhone is now restarting. This method is a bit more aggressive than the standard shutdown, as it forces the operating system to power down without the usual graceful closing procedures. But for a frozen phone, it's often the only solution short of letting the battery die. I've had to do this a few times, usually when some app has gone rogue and completely locked up the phone. It always does the trick, thankfully. ## How to Turn Your iPhone 12 Back On This one's usually a bit more straightforward, whether you've just powered it down or forced a restart. Most of the time, the iPhone will automatically turn itself back on after a force restart. But if you've powered it down completely, you'll need to do this bit. 1. **Press and Hold the Side Button:** Just locate that **Side Button** on the right-hand side again. 2. **Keep Holding Until the Apple Logo Appears:** Press and hold it down. You'll see the Apple logo pop up on the screen after a few seconds. Once you see that, you can let go. 3. **Wait for Boot Up:** Your iPhone will then go through its usual startup sequence. This might take a minute or two. Eventually, you'll reach your lock screen or home screen, and you're good to go. It's like flicking the power switch on your receiver; satisfying click, then the warm glow of the display. ### Troubleshooting: When Things Don't Go to Plan Even with these instructions, sometimes things can be a bit stubborn. It happens. Here are a few common issues and what I'd suggest. * **Phone isn't responding to button presses:** Double-check you're pressing the right buttons. Sometimes people get confused between the volume buttons. Ensure you're pressing them firmly but not ridiculously hard. If it's still completely unresponsive, it might be a deeper issue, like a hardware fault or a completely flat battery. Try plugging it in for 15-20 minutes before attempting a force restart again. * **"Slide to Power Off" appears, but it's still frozen:** If the slider shows up but you can't actually slide it, that means the screen's touch input is frozen. In this case, you'll need to use the **force restart** method described above. Don't try to force the slider; just go straight for the button sequence. * **Phone won't turn on after a full shutdown:** Make sure it's charged! Plug it into a charger for at least 30 minutes. If the battery was completely drained, it can take a while before it has enough juice to even show the charging icon, let alone turn on. A completely flat battery can be surprisingly stubborn to revive. I've left my old iPod Classic on a shelf for months, and it took a good hour on charge to even show a glimmer of life. * **Repeated restarts or freezing:** If your iPhone is constantly freezing or restarting on its own, that's usually a sign of a software glitch, or potentially a failing battery. First, make sure your iOS is up to date (Settings > General > Software Update). If it's still happening, you might need to consider a factory reset (after backing up your data, of course!) or even a visit to an Apple Store. Beyond my pay grade, that one. ## Other Ways to Restart or Turn Off (Software Options) While the button methods are the primary ways to handle power, there are a couple of software options, primarily for turning off your phone. These are handy if your buttons are faulty or you just prefer doing things through the settings menu. I prefer the buttons myself; call me old-fashioned. ### Turning Off via Settings This is a less common way to do it, but it's there if you need it. It's a perfectly legitimate way to shut down your iPhone, just takes a few more taps. 1. **Go to Settings:** Tap the **Settings app** icon (the grey cog). 2. **Tap General:** Scroll down and tap on **General**. 3. **Scroll Down to Shut Down:** Scroll all the way to the bottom of the General screen. You'll see an option that says **Shut Down**. Tap it. 4. **Slide to Power Off:** Just like with the button method, the "Slide to Power Off" slider will appear. Drag it to the right, and your phone will power down. This method is purely for powering off gracefully. You can't force restart from the settings menu if your phone is already frozen. For that, you'll always need the button sequence. ## Who This Guide Is For: * **New iPhone 12 owners:** Especially if you've come from an older model with a home button. The button layout is different for power functions. * **Anyone experiencing a frozen or unresponsive iPhone 12:** The force restart method is your best friend here. * **Folks who occasionally want to power down their phone:** For battery saving, privacy, or just a digital break. * **Someone looking for a clear, no-nonsense explanation:** None of that tech jargon, just plain English. ## Who Should Skip It: * **Experienced iPhone 12 users:** If you already know these tricks like the back of your hand, you probably don't need me telling you what to do. * **Anyone with a non-iPhone 12 series phone:** The buttons and methods might be different for other iPhone models or Android phones. This guide is specific to the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max. ## iPhone 12 Power Control Comparison | Action | Buttons Required | When to Use | | :--------------- | :------------------------------------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Turn Off** | Side Button + Volume Up (or Down), then slide | Standard, graceful shutdown. When phone is working normally. | | **Force Restart**| Volume Up (tap) > Volume Down (tap) > Side Button (hold) | When phone is frozen, unresponsive, or experiencing major glitches. | | **Turn On** | Side Button (hold) | After a full shutdown, or if the phone ran out of battery. | | **Shut Down (via Settings)** | Settings > General > Shut Down, then slide | If buttons are faulty, or you prefer a software method for graceful shutdown. | ## FAQ: Your iPhone 12 Power Questions Answered ### Q1: Will turning my iPhone 12 off or restarting it erase any data? A: Not at all, no. Turning your phone off or restarting it, even a force restart, won't erase any of your precious photos, apps, or documents. It just refreshes the operating system. Think of it like rebooting your computer; everything's still there when it comes back on. If you want to erase data, that's a "factory reset," which is a completely different kettle of fish and something you deliberately have to choose to do. ### Q2: How often should I restart my iPhone 12? A: There's no hard and fast rule, honestly. Some folks do it once a week, some once a month. I tend to do it whenever I notice the phone being a bit sluggish, or if an app is playing up. It's a good habit to get into, perhaps once a fortnight, just to keep things ticking over nicely. It closes background processes and clears out temporary memory, which can help with performance and battery life in the long run. It's like giving your car a quick wash; not strictly necessary every day, but it helps keep it in good nick. ### Q3: What if my iPhone 12 power button (Side Button) is broken? A: Ah, that's a bit of a pickle, isn't it? If your Side Button is completely kaput, you won't be able to turn the phone on using the standard method, nor can you do a force restart. However, you *can* still turn it off using the **Settings > General > Shut Down** option. To turn it back on without the Side Button, you'd generally need to plug it into a charger. That usually kicks it back to life automatically. For restarting, if the screen is still working, you might be able to enable "AssistiveTouch" in Accessibility settings, which puts a virtual button on your screen that can mimic some physical button functions, including locking the screen and restarting. It's not ideal, but it's a workaround until you can get the button fixed. ### Q4: Can restarting my iPhone 12 improve its battery life? A: It certainly can, indirectly. When you restart your iPhone, it closes down any apps that might be running in the background and clears out any processes that are unnecessarily consuming power. Think of it like closing all the open tabs on your computer browser; it frees up resources. So, if your phone has been on for ages and is running a lot of background tasks, a quick restart can definitely help optimise battery usage by giving it a fresh start. It won't magically give you an extra day of battery life if your battery is old and tired, mind, but it can help prolong the charge you currently have. ### Q5: My iPhone 12 feels hot after a lot of use. Will restarting it help? A: Yes, it often will. An iPhone getting warm, especially during intensive tasks like gaming, video streaming, or navigation, is normal. But if it's getting uncomfortably hot, it usually means the processor is working overtime, and background apps might be going a bit wild. Restarting the phone will close all those demanding processes and give the internal components a chance to cool down. If your phone is *constantly* hot, even after restarting and with minimal use, then it might indicate a more serious issue, and I'd suggest getting it looked at by a professional. Don't want to risk any internal gubbins getting frazzled. ## Final Word Look, I know this isn't a review of a new pair of bookshelf speakers or a dissection of amplifier classes. But in this day and age, our phones are just as integral to our lives, even for us old-school audio enthusiasts. Knowing these basic power controls for your iPhone 12, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max isn't just about convenience; it's about keeping your daily tech running smoothly. Whether you're trying to get a frozen phone to respond or just giving it a regular refresh, these simple button presses are essential knowledge. Saves you a trip to the Apple Store for something you could have fixed yourself in ten seconds. And that, my friends, is always a win in my book. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a particularly stubborn crossover network that needs my attention. Cheers.