How to Restart iPhone from Computer [Ultimate Guide]

Why Need to Restart iPhone from Computer?

In the face of iPhone issues, the initial reflex is often to reboot the device, as many iOS problems find resolution in this simple act. However, there are situations where using the physical buttons of the iPhone and utilizing the settings within the device prove ineffective, and here’s why:

Unresponsive Screen: In cases where the iPhone screen becomes unresponsive, accessing the settings required for a restart is no longer possible. White Screen of Death: When your device is ensnared in the frustrating white screen of death, the conventional buttons and settings method for restarting the iPhone is rendered futile. Unprompted Device Actions: When your device starts acting independently without any user commands, the standard restart via both settings and buttons may become inaccessible.

In such cases, you need to look for other ways to restart your iPhone. Luckily, this post will show you how to restart iPhone from computer. Please keep reading!

How to Restart iPhone from Computer - 2 Easy Ways

If you encounter difficulties restarting your device through its settings or physical buttons, there’s an alternative method to reboot your iPhone from a computer.

Method 1. Restart iPhone Through Computer via DFU Mode

DFU Mode, short for Device Firmware Update, serves as a valuable method for restoring and rejuvenating your iPhone by leveraging a computer or laptop. This procedure entails the comprehensive reloading of both the software and firmware on your device. Follow these meticulous steps to guide you through the process of restarting your iPhone utilizing DFU mode:

Step 1: Initiate the process by establishing a connection between your iPhone and the computer. Subsequently, follow the specific instructions according to your iPhone model:

For iPhone 6s and earlier:

• Press and hold both the Power button and the Home button.
• After a few seconds, release the Power button while continuing to hold the Home button.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

• Apply steady pressure on both the Power button and the Volume Down button.
• After a few seconds, release the Power button while holding down the Volume Down button.

For iPhone 8 and later:

• Tap the Volume Up button, followed by the Volume Down button.
• Proceed to press and sustain the Power button until the iPhone screen darkens. Then, clutch both the Power and Volume Down buttons.
• After a few moments, release the Power button, continuing to clasp the Volume Down button.

Step 2: While in DFU mode, your iPhone’s screen will turn black. If iTunes notifies you that your device is detected in Recovery Mode, you can restart iPhone through computer. However, if your device asks you to connect to iTunes, you will need to repeat the steps above.

Step 3: Then, your computer’s iTunes app will recognize your iPhone, thus clicking OK to facilitate the recovery process.

However, if you encounter the issue of “iPhone stuck in DFU Mode”, you can try to use iTunes to enter Recovery Mode to restart your iPhone.

Method 2. Restart iPhone with Computer via Recovery Mode

In the event that a standard iPhone restart proves unattainable, initiating Recovery mode offers a lifeline to salvage your device. This comprehensive process entails connecting your iPhone to a computer and leveraging iTunes, with instructions varying according to your iPhone model:

For iPhone 6s and earlier:

• Simultaneously press and hold both the Power button and the Home button.
• Maintain this grasp, even upon the appearance of the Apple logo.
• Release the buttons when the screen transitions to Recovery mode.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

• Apply consistent pressure to both the Power button and the Volume Down button.
• Continue to hold these buttons, even after the Apple logo emerges.
• Release the buttons once the device enters Recovery mode.

For iPhone 8 and its successors:

• Tap the Volume Up button and subsequently the Volume Down button.
• Persistently hold down the Power button, even beyond the onset of the Apple logo.
• Release the Power button once the Recovery mode screen materializes.

Once your device successfully enters Recovery Mode, you can click Restore and then choose to update or restore it.

★Tip:

 Choosing to update will preserve your data while restoring will result in data loss. Depending on your decision, the device will automatically exit recovery mode and restart iPhone with computer.

Bonus: Backup iPhone Data Before Restarting iPhone from Computer

Using DFU Mode or Recovery Mode to restore your iPhone is a good way to restart iPhone with computer, but these actions may easily cause data loss. As a result, you’d better back up your iPhone data in advance to protect your important data. iCloud is the official way to back up your iPhone, but you may easily encounter the “iPhone won’t backup to iCloud” issue due to poor network or insufficient storage space.

In this case, there is an excellent iCloud alternative called FoneTool. It is a free and reliable iPhone data backup tool that allows you to preview and select the desired files to back up, here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Begin by downloading and installing FoneTool on your PC > Then, connect your device using a USB cable and initiate FoneTool.

Step 2: Locate the Phone Backup option on the home page > Choose the Selective Backup mode and proceed by clicking Get Started.

Step 3: Click icons such as Photos, Music, Videos, Contacts, and Messages situated on the interface to preview and select the files that you wish to back up.

Step 4: Once selected, click OK to confirm > Click Backup Storage Path to determine the location where your backup will be stored > Finally, click Start Backup.

The Bottom Line

To sum up, if it’s difficult to restart your iPhone via settings or physical buttons, there’s no need to worry. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to restart iPhone from computer. However, it’s worth noting that using DFU Mode or Recovery Mode to restore your iPhone will erase your data on your device. Therefore, it’s quite essential to make use of the safe and professional backup tool like FoneTool to make a full iPhone backup. With this tool, you can back up and restore iPhone from backup after setup with ease. Try it out