Charge it for 30–60 minutes with a cable and adapter you know work, then force restart it. If it rings or vibrates but the screen stays black, the display has failed. If nothing works, it's usually the battery, the charging circuit or the logic board.
1. Rule out a flat battery
Plug it in for at least 30 minutes. A completely drained battery can take several minutes before the charging screen even appears.
Use a cable and power adapter you know work, and try a different outlet. Look into the charging port with a flashlight: packed lint is a surprisingly common reason a phone seems dead.
2. Force restart it
A force restart clears a frozen system without touching your data. The buttons depend on your model:
- iPhone 8 or later (including SE 2nd/3rd gen): press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: press and hold volume down and the side button together until the Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen) and earlier: press and hold the Home button and the side or top button together until the Apple logo appears.
3. Check whether it's actually the screen
Sometimes the iPhone is running fine and only the display has died. Call the phone from another phone and listen for it ringing, flip the ring/silent switch to feel for a vibration, or say "Hey Siri".
If it responds, the display or its connection has failed. That's a screen repair, not a dead phone.
4. Update iOS with a computer
If it shows the Apple logo but never finishes starting, connect it to a Mac (Finder) or a PC (the Apple Devices app or iTunes) and put it into recovery mode. That's the same button sequence as a force restart, but keep holding the side button until you see the recovery screen.
Choose Update, not Restore. Update reinstalls iOS and keeps your data. Restore erases everything.
5. Warning signs of a hardware fault
- It got wet recently, even if it worked afterwards.
- It was dropped hard just before it died.
- It feels warm while it's supposedly off.
- A new cable and charger make no difference.
- It loops on the Apple logo or restarts every few minutes.
- The screen is lifting, which can mean a swollen battery.
When it's time for a repair
If it only stays on while plugged in, it likely needs a battery replacement. If it won't charge at all, start with the charging port.
No power at all, even with a known-good charger, usually means a logic board fault. Board-level repair often brings the phone back with your data intact. The diagnosis is free.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my data if my iPhone won't turn on?
Not necessarily. Charging, a force restart and an Update in recovery mode all keep your data. A Restore or DFU restore erases it. If it's a hardware fault, a board-level repair can usually bring it back with your data intact.
Why is my iPhone screen black but it still vibrates?
The phone is on, but the display or its connector has failed, usually after a drop or liquid exposure. A screen repair normally fixes it.
How much does it cost to fix an iPhone that won't turn on?
It depends on the cause. Diagnosis is free, so you'll know the exact fault and price before any work. Battery replacements start at $49.99 and board-level repairs at $149.
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