Apple iPhone XS How-To: Reboot/Soft Reset

This post demonstrates the simple steps on how to soft reset and force restart the new Apple iPhone XS device.

The very first potential solution to try when a device suddenly encounters an error is a restart, otherwise known as soft reset. Aside from the fact that it effectively deals with minor software issues, performing a soft reset also clears temporary data that are stored as cache on the phone memory including errant files that are inflicting trouble to certain apps or phone system itself. That said, consider a soft reset among the first workarounds to try whenever your new iPhone XS misbehaves.


The new iPhone XS runs on the iOS 12 platform, hence it follows the same soft reset/restart method as with its predecessor iPhone X. Here are the steps to soft reset or restart the iPhone XS:

• Press and hold the Power/Side button and the Volume Up button simultaneously then slide to Power off.
• After 30 seconds, press the Power button until the phone turns on.

If your iPhone XS screen is frozen or not responding to touch, you can do the alternative method called a force restart. As the name implies, this will force your iPhone XS to shut down and reboot. Any background apps that have gone rogue and caused the device to act app will be cleared in the process. Here are the steps to force restart the iPhone XS:

• Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
• Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
• Finally, press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears.

Both a soft reset and force restart don't affect any data stored on the iPhone's internal storage, hence you won't lose saved files in the process.