iPhone Screen Unresponsive or Frozen? How to Fix It -

That Heart-Dropping Moment

You open an app, check a message, or try to take a photo—and nothing happens.
Your iPhone screen is frozen, ignoring every tap and swipe.

Panic kicks in. What about my photos, chats, and files?

Take a deep breath. Don’t stress.

Most of the time, a frozen screen is just a software glitch, not a serious hardware issue.
With the right steps, you can bring your phone back without losing data.

This guide walks you through 7 safe and effective fixes.
We’ll start with the easiest and move toward advanced solutions.

Before You Begin: Important Don’ts

❌ Don’t force a hard shutdown randomly – we’ll do this properly in Step 1.
❌ Don’t let the battery drain – it can corrupt files if the phone shuts down mid-process.
❌ Don’t open or disassemble your phone – you’ll void warranty and risk more damage.
❌ Don’t rush to restore via computer until you’ve tried everything else.

Fix 1: Do a Force Restart (Most Common Solution)

The force restart usually fixes frozen iPhones. It reboots the system without deleting your data.

iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd gen), X, and newer:

Press and release Volume Up
Press and release Volume Down
Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Hold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake button together
Release when the Apple logo shows

iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen), and older:

Hold Home button + Sleep/Wake button
Release when the Apple logo appears

➡️ This quick step solves most screen freezes.

Fix 2: Install iOS Updates

Old iOS versions can cause glitches. Once your screen works again:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update
If an update is available, tap Download and Install
Keep your iPhone plugged in and on Wi-Fi

Fix 3: Free Up Storage

Low storage = iPhone slowdown + freezes.

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
If space is less than 1GB, delete or offload items
Clear browser cache, delete unused apps, or remove large videos

➡️ Keep at least 5GB free space for smooth performance.

Fix 4: Remove Problematic Apps

A faulty app can freeze your phone.

Did the issue start after installing a new app?
If yes, delete it via:
- Settings > General > iPhone Storage > App > Delete App

This removes the app without needing to touch the screen.

Fix 5: Use Recovery Mode (Advanced)

If your iPhone is still stuck, try Recovery Mode.

Connect iPhone to a computer (Mac or PC) with iTunes/Finder
Enter Recovery Mode:
- iPhone 8/newer: Press Vol Up > Vol Down > hold Side until you see the cable-to-computer screen
- iPhone 7: Hold Side + Vol Down
- iPhone 6s/older: Hold Home + Side

On your computer:

Choose Update (⚠️ Not Restore).
This reinstalls iOS without deleting your data.
Takes about 15 minutes.

Fix 6: Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If updates fail, you may need a factory reset.

⚠️ Warning: This erases everything. Only do it if you have a recent iCloud or computer backup.

Steps:

Use Find My iPhone on iCloud.com
Select your device > Erase iPhone

After reset, restore from backup.

Fix 7: Check for Physical Damage

If nothing works, the issue may be hardware-related.

Look for cracks, lines, or discoloration
Check for liquid exposure

➡️ If suspected, contact Apple Support or a certified repair center.

FAQs

Q: Will a force restart delete my photos?
A: No, it’s completely safe.

Q: My screen is black and won’t turn on. What now?
A: Charge for 30 mins, then try the restart steps. If still dead, it may be hardware.

Q: How do I prevent freezing again?
A: Keep iOS updated, maintain storage, avoid shady apps, restart weekly.

Q: Should I put my iPhone in the freezer?
A: Absolutely not. Cold damages the battery and components.

iPhone Screen Unresponsive or Frozen? How to Fix It