How to Turn Off iPhone 16 Devices

If you're one of the 37 million users who purchased the new iPhone 16, 16 Plus, Pro, or Pro Max during its pre-sale weekend (or in the months afterward!), you're probably eager to dive straight into the device's epic new features. The Action button adds new shortcuts, while Camera Control allows you to zoom or adjust the exposure more quickly.

But first, you'll need to understand the phone's core features, including how to turn it on and off. The latest buttons may be a more exciting addition, but the process to turn off an iPhone requires features that all previous generations have: the Side and Volume buttons.

As a new iPhone 16 user, it's easy to get confused with these basic processes, since they vary depending on which iPhone you own. For models with the clickable Home button below the screen (like the older iPhone 7 and 8 devices, or the current 3rd-generation SE), you'll only need to press and hold the Side button, for example.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the entire process of how to turn off iPhone 16 and help you get started without confusion.

Switching Your iPhone 16 Off

The Side button is mostly used to lock and unlock your iPhone 16: Just hold it and slide the Bottom Bar up to unlock, or press it once to lock. However, it's also a vital component in turning the device on and off.

The process is pretty simple and works whether you've got the latest iPhone 16 or another iPhone with Face ID:

1. Simultaneously press and hold the Side button on the right of your device, along with the Volume Up or Volume Down buttons.

2. Continue holding until the Power Off slider appears. Then, drag the slider and your iPhone should completely switch off.

Turn on the iPhone again by simply pressing and holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

Is There an Alternative Way to Turn Off iPhone 16 Devices?

What's great about most Apple devices is that there's always another way to perform core tasks. So, if you've got an issue with either Volume button or just want to use the touchscreen, simply go to Settings!

From here, choose the General tab, press Shut Down, and then drag the power slider across.

When Should I Restart My iPhone 16?

iPhone 16 devices can also be turned off if they're not quite operating as they should. This is known as a soft reset, or regular restart, which completely refreshes all apps and software – simply follow the process we described in the previous section.

For a hands-free option, Siri – Apple's voice-activated digital assistant – can be used to perform a quick reboot. Ensure Siri is enabled in the device's settings, then say "Hey Siri" and respond with "Restart iPhone" when it asks for your command.

Try this method if your iPhone keeps freezing up, something that can be caused by bugs, glitches, lack of storage, or too many apps open at once. Of course, if this doesn't work, a force restart is your next best option.

How to Perform a Hard Reset

Also known as a hard reset, force restarting your iPhone 16 (or any iPhone that works on the iOS 16 system or above!) cuts all power flow to the logic board – meaning it has absolutely no choice but to switch itself off and back on again.

Do this by:

1. Pressing and releasing the Volume Up button on the left side of your iPhone 16. There's no need to hold the button this time; just give it a quick press.

2. Quickly repeating this process but with the Volume Down button.

3. Pressing and holding the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

While it's generally effective, don't become overly reliant on this method. Too many sudden interruptions to the iPhone 16's logic board can cause file corruption. Most modern smartphones contain safeguards to prevent this, but there's still a small risk of losing photos and messages – precious memories that are often impossible to replace!

Do I Need to Switch My iPhone 16 Off?

The A18 and A18 Pro chips included in the iPhone 16 series are built to be much more powerful than their predecessors, mainly to support Apple Intelligence – the company's dive into generative AI. 

However, these high-efficiency chipsets, coupled with the 6% larger 3,561 mAH battery capacity, also provide a boosted battery life. This includes 22 hours of video and 80 hours of audio playback, according to the base model's technical specifications.

So, don’t worry if you've left your iPhone 16 charger at home!. But, for those times when the power percentage is rapidly declining, there's another solution that allows you to continue using your phone when necessary, rather than totally switching it off!

Conserve battery life by adjusting the Always On display, which should be enabled by default on an iPhone 16. This feature keeps your screen on at all times, allowing you to see important notifications and widgets.

Although it dims the Lock Screen to minimize power usage, Always On will still ultimately drain your battery. So, to switch it off, go to the Settings menu. Then, choose the Display & Brightness tab, before toggling off the Always On Display option.

Get the Most From Your New iPhone 16

So, now you know how to turn off iPhone 16 devices quickly and effectively, whether you're trying to conserve battery or are dealing with a frozen screen. This leaves you with plenty of time to get to grips with some of the more fun design features, like Apple Intelligence's Genmoji or the upgraded vertical lens camera setup.

Whichever function you start with, be sure to prolong the lifespan of your new iPhone 16 with a protective case. Ghostek's iPhone 16 cases combine best-in-class engineering with sleek design, offering military-grade drop protection, raised edges, shock-absorbing R7x technology, and more.

Our cases keep those Side and Volume buttons in good working order, while also defending the delicate display and internal components from drops and falls. Check out the full collection of slim and shockproof models at Ghostek today!