⏲️ Estimated reading time: 5 min
Is your iPhone frozen, slow, or behaving strangely? Try this easy soft reset method that won’t delete any data. It’s a quick fix for common glitches like app crashes, screen freezes, or unresponsive buttons.
🛠️ What is a Soft Reset?
A soft reset is a simple reboot of your iPhone that forces it to restart without erasing any of your data, settings, or apps. Unlike a factory reset or restore, this process is completely safe and non-destructive. It can resolve various minor software glitches such as frozen screens, unresponsive touch, laggy performance, and buggy apps all without wiping your device.
Soft resetting is especially useful when your iPhone seems unresponsive, slow, or frozen. It refreshes the system memory and resets background processes while preserving everything else.
Let’s walk through the specific steps depending on your smartphone model.
🔁 How to Soft Reset Your iPhone
For iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
If your iPhone does not have a Home button and instead uses Face ID, follow these steps:
- One second press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- One second press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Minim five seconds press and hold the Side (Power) button on the right side until you see the Apple logo.
- Release the button and wait for your iPhone to restart.
This trick is especially effective for fixing unresponsive apps, black screens, or system lag. It’s like giving your iPhone a clean stretch after a long nap.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
The process is slightly different for these models:
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power (Side) button simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo, then release.
The iPhone 7 series was the first to remove the physical Home button, which is why the reset combination was modified.
For iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation)
If you’re still using these classic iPhones, here’s how to reset:
- Press and hold the Home button and the Power (Top or Side) button at the same time.
- Keep them held until the Apple logo appears on the screen, then release.
Even though these models are older, they still benefit greatly from a soft reset when apps freeze or the system becomes sluggish.
🧩 More iPhone Tips Without Losing Data
A soft reset can solve many problems, but sometimes you need a bit more without jumping to a full reset. Here are additional tricks to optimize and refresh your smartphone experience:
📶 Reset Network Settings (No Data Loss)
If you’re experiencing issues with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or mobile data, resetting your network settings is a great step:
Go to:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
This will not delete your apps or personal data, but it will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings. It’s especially useful after iOS updates or travel-related network issues.

🧼 Clear iPhone RAM for a Speed Boost
iPhones don’t offer a clear RAM button like computers do, but there’s a hidden trick:
- Enable AssistiveTouch by going to:
Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch, then toggle it on. - Press Volume Up > Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Power Off slider appears.
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button, then press and hold the virtual Home button until the screen flashes and returns to the Home screen.
This process flushes the RAM and makes your smartphone feel faster immediately, especially helpful for older devices.
🤔 Why Soft Reset Instead of Force Restart or Factory Reset?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Action | What It Does | Data Loss | When to Use |
---|---|---|---|
Soft Reset | Reboots device | ❌ No | Glitches, lag, frozen screen |
Force Restart | Forces reboot, more aggressive | ❌ No | Device unresponsive, black screen |
Factory Reset | Wipes entire device | ✅ Yes | Severe software issues, resell, start fresh |
The soft reset is the least invasive method your best first step when your iPhone acts up.

🙋 Need More Help?
If you’re facing a specific issue, such as:
- Your iPhone won’t charge
- You’re stuck on the Apple logo
- Face ID is not working
- Apps keep crashing
- iOS update failed
…feel free to ask for a personalized trick! There’s often a simple, targeted solution for every problem no full reset required.
🔒 Is It Safe to Soft Reset Regularly?
Yes soft resetting your iPhone does not harm the device or your data. In fact, it’s a good habit if your phone starts to slow down or behave oddly. Think of it as turning your computer off and on to refresh the system.
Just avoid doing it too frequently (multiple times a day), and always ensure your iPhone’s iOS is up to date for the best performance.
Final Fix Section
If all else fails and your iPhone still behaves strangely after soft resetting and using the tips above, try updating iOS or restoring via Finder/iTunes as a last resort.
But most of the time a soft reset does the magic.
🔔For more tutorials like this, consider subscribing to our blog.
📩 Do you have questions or suggestions? Leave a comment or contact us!
🏷️ Tags: iPhone tricks, iPhone reset, Soft reset iPhone, iPhone troubleshooting, fix frozen iPhone, iOS tips, AssistiveTouch, clear RAM iPhone, reset network settings, Apple support
📢 Hashtags: #iPhoneTips, #SoftReset, #iOSTricks, #FixiPhone, #TechSupport, #AppleHacks, #iPhoneHelp, #AssistiveTouch, #ClearRAM, #iPhoneFix
📌 Wrap-Up
Learning how to soft reset your smartphone is one of the most practical skills every Apple user should know. Whether you’re facing annoying freezes, slowdowns, or non-responsive apps, this quick and data-safe trick might be all you need.
Master these button combinations, and you’ll never panic again when your iPhone gets stuck.
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