Why Does My iPhone Keep Restarting?
- by Bryan Veldboom - updated on 3/24/2023
One of the most annoying issues iPhone users experience are sudden restarts. Restarting can be caused by a number of different issues. Most commonly though, it's related to a bad battery. If your iPhone is restarting at random, consider bringing it to your nearest Batteries Plus. Not only will we test your battery for free, if you need a new one, we offer iPhone battery replacement too. If your battery isn't the problem, this troubleshooting guide will help you understand what's happening and what you can do to stop it.
Why is My iPhone Restarting Again and Again?
iPhone restarts typically fall into one of these two categories:
- iPhones that still function, but restart at random
- Boot Looping during which an iPhone becomes trapped in a constant restarting loop with the Apple logo appearing and disappearing over and over.
Backup Your Data Before Troubleshooting Your iPhone
Before going any further, you'll want to backup your phone to prevent any loss of data. The Apple website provides excellent step-by-step instructions on how to backup your iPhone using a Mac, PC or iCloud. Obviously, if your phone is boot looping you can't really back it up, so you'll have to try troubleshooting without it.
Update Your iPhone's Software
It's possible that the restarting might be caused by a software bug or glitch. Updating to the most recent software will provide your phone with any recent fixes and may solve the problem. To update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS, go to Settings, select General and then click on Software Update. If there's an update there, install it.
If your iPhone is boot looping, you may be able to perform a software update by connecting your phone to a computer and updating through iTunes.
Check Your iPhone Apps
Apps are typically not the cause of restart issues, however, if you installed an app right before your issues started, it might be at fault. If you want to check on an app, go to Settings, Privacy, Analytics & Improvements, then Analytics Data.
This will bring up a long list of reports. While these aren't easy to read, you can comb through them to see if there's an app listed over and over again. If so, try uninstalling the app and see if that solves the problem. If your phone is trapped in a looping cycle, you can skip this step.
Clean Out Your iPhone's Charging Port
Over time, your iPhone's charging port can become clogged with dirt, lint or other debris which prevents your iPhone from charging properly. While it's tempting to grab a pin and try cleaning the port yourself, you need to be careful. Metal objects can scratch your phone's contact points and even short out the phone itself. Batteries Plus offers professional port cleaning service. The service costs very little and helps clear up charging issues. Visit your nearest Batteries Plus for more info.
Try a Different Charging Cable
As mentioned above, Boot Looping is often caused by a bad battery. One way you can tell if your battery is dying is by trying a different cable and charger. If swapping cables fixes the issue, then you probably just had a faulty charger on your hands.
Remove the SIM Card from Your iPhone
An improperly inserted SIM card can cause a restart loop. If this is the culprit, removing and reinserting it properly could fix the issue. This should also solve any issues caused by your iPhone's connection to your wireless carrier. Apple has a great resource showing you how to find and remove the SIM card from any model iPhone. One thing to note, iPhone 14 is an eSIM-only phone , with no physical SIM card.
Reset All Settings on Your iPhone
If your issue is software related, resetting the settings on your iPhone may solve the problem. Go to Settings, then General > Transfer or Reset iPhone, then tap Reset. Resetting your iPhone's settings won't cause you to lose any apps or data, although you will have to re-enter your Wi-Fi password.
Perform a Hard Reset of Your iPhone
A hard reset of your phone is the equivalent of unplugging a computer before it's shut down. In other words, you only want to do it after everything else has failed. If your phone is trapped in a constant restart loop though, this may be your best bet.
The button combination needed to perform a hard reset will vary from model to model. For the most accurate information, visit the Apple website. They'll provide you with the proper procedure for resetting your model iPhone .
Does Batteries Plus Replace Batteries in iPhones?
As mentioned above, Batteries Plus tests and replaces iPhone batteries. Replacing the battery can fix a number of performance issues. But we do more than just replace batteries, our technicians also offer additional repairs for broken screens, back glass, as well as malfunctioning cameras, speakers, buttons and charging ports. In addition to Apple, we also service tablets and phones from Samsung and other major brands. If you have a damaged device on your hands, book your cell phone repair or tablet repair appointment online today.